Instructing in This Plane? You Need to Know About This Reg Before Doing So.

I have heard my fair share of newly-certificated Flight Instructor horror stories, and some of the more surprising ones come from “youngins’” like myself who are eager to fly. Some of these eager CFIs find themselves in hot water later by investigative interviewers or worse, the FAA.

The regulation in question is FAR 91.109, entitled “Flight instruction, Simulated instrument flight and certain flight tests.” While everything contained here does not pertain to simulated instrument flight, it, just like the rest of Part 91, is definitely something worth reading.

Under part A of 91.109; instrument flight instruction may be given in an airplane with a single, functioning throw-over control wheel that controls the elevator and ailerons when;

1. The instructor has determined the flight can be conducted safely, AND

2. The person manipulating the controls has at least a private pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings.

This makes sense; simulated instrument training, a single set of controls? I too would want to use my PIC authority to determine that the flight can be safely made.

Things get a little more interesting when you may be asked to train an owner towards a flight review or IPC;

A single-functioning throw over control airplane may be used to do either a flight review or IPC. HOWEVER…

1. Both pilot stations need operable rudder pedals

2. The pilot manipulating the controls is qualified to serve and serves as PIC during the ENTIRE flight.

3. The instructor is current and qualified to serve as pilot in command of the airplane, and he/she meets the limitations requirement of 61.195(b) {aircraft ratings}.

4. Has logged 25 hours of PIC time n the make and model of the airplane. AND,

5. The PIC and the instructor has determined that the flight can be conducted safely.

(Pictured above is the cockpit of a Dehavilland DHC-3 Otter, note how the control level has an arm that can be thrown over to the person sitting in the right seat.)

Whew, and you thought that this was going to be as easy as jumping in, dreaming about reaching ATP minimums and signing a log book? Heck no! Just to re-state the time-proven rule, if something doesn’t feel right, that’s probably because it isn’t!

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