No Aircraft
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 110; Flight Crew Total 4400; Flight Crew Type 424
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Procedure; Human Factors
I was called by my Chief Pilot from my employer. I had submitted my CFI for renewal; and he was called by the FISDO (Flight Inspection Safety District Office) and told I didn't have a valid CFI. My CFI read 'Instrument Airplane.' I have been flying for this company teaching single engine airplanes to military students for 8 months. I am a prior Air Force instructor pilot in T-38s with 1;400 plus instructor hours. I believed since my CFI read Instrument Airplane I was qualified to teach anything on my ATP/Commercial license. My company missed it as well during my initial training. The CFI card states that it is only valid with your pilot's license.To acquire my CFI I took the military competency exam. I met with the FSDO three separate times to ensure I had what I needed to teach flying in a single engine aircraft. I have since learned I do not.I have flown almost 400 hours with students since last July; including 7 students whom I soloed. I finally heard from the local FSDO (Flight Standards District Office) today asking me 'what happened.'I am currently working with a very experienced CFI and FAA evaluator to complete a check ride and add single engine to my CFI.This may be something that needs clarification in the CFI community. Every CFI I have shared my situation with immediately pulls out their license to see if they are legal.
A CFI discovers that his CFI card did not qualify him as an instructor after working as a flight instructor for more than eight months.