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CFI training materials: study smart, pass on the first try

Becoming a Certified Flight Instructor is the first time many pilots learn to teach rather than simply fly, and the certificate is built on two separate written exams plus an in-depth oral and practical test. The Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) written covers teaching theory, while the Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) written reframes aeronautical knowledge from the instructor's point of view. The most efficient path is to clear both writtens early, then spend your remaining prep time on lesson plans and the standards you will be judged against. The references and test prep below cover every stage, from the FAA handbooks behind the FOI to the ACS and oral exam guides that get you checkride ready. Click any product for current pricing.

Compare CFI study materials at a glance

Product Type Format Best for
FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) Handbook / reference Book The primary source behind the FOI written
ASA Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) Handbook / reference Book (softcover) Same FAA content in an easy-to-read ASA edition
Gleim FOI Knowledge Test Prep Written test prep Book Focused study for the FOI written only
Gleim Flight/Ground Instructor Test Prep Written test prep Book The instructor knowledge written for CFI and ground instructor
ASA CFI Test Prep Bundle Written test prep Book plus software Combined book and practice-test software in one package
Gleim FOI Online Ground School Written test prep Online ground school Self-paced online study for the FOI written
Gleim Flight/Ground Instructor Online Ground School Written test prep Online ground school Self-paced online study for the instructor written
ASA Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide (8th ed.) Oral / checkride prep Book Question-and-answer prep for the CFI oral
FAA-S-ACS-25 Flight Instructor ACS Standards Book The current ACS, with the FAA-G-ACS-2 companion guide
FAA-S-8081-9E Instrument Flight Instructor PTS Standards Book The practical test standards for the CFII rating

Types of CFI training materials

Handbooks and references

The Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) is the foundation of the FOI written and your day-to-day teaching reference, covering the laws and levels of learning, the teaching process, evaluation, professionalism, and effective communication. We carry it in both the Skyhorse and ASA softcover editions so you can pick your preferred layout.

Written test prep

Test prep distills the FAA question bank into focused study, with explanations for each answer. You can choose a printed prep book for the FOI or the instructor knowledge written, a self-paced online ground school, or a combined book-plus-software bundle that adds practice exams modeled on the national testing center.

Oral and checkride prep

An oral exam guide walks you through the questions a designated examiner is likely to ask, organized by subject so you can rehearse clear, teaching-style answers. Pairing the oral guide with the current ACS keeps your prep aligned to the exact tasks and standards you will be tested on.

ACS and PTS standards

The FAA-S-ACS-25 Flight Instructor Airplane ACS, with its FAA-G-ACS-2 companion, replaces the legacy PTS for the initial CFI and defines every knowledge, risk-management, and skill element. If you are adding the instrument instructor rating, the FAA-S-8081-9E Instrument PTS sets the standard for the CFII checkride.

Brands we carry

  • ASA: instructor handbooks, the Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide, and the CFI Test Prep book-plus-software bundle.
  • Gleim: FOI and Flight/Ground Instructor knowledge test prep, available as books and as self-paced online ground schools.
  • FAA / Skyhorse Publishing: the Skyhorse reprint of the FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook, plus the official FAA-S-ACS-25 ACS and FAA-S-8081-9E PTS standards we stock.

How to choose the right CFI study materials

Start with a handbook and study one written at a time. Begin with the Aviation Instructor's Handbook and dedicated FOI prep so you can clear the easiest written first, then move to the Flight Instructor Airplane material. Pick one test prep brand that fits how you learn: Gleim if you like a structured, syllabus-style workflow, or ASA if you prefer concise explanations and an all-in-one bundle. Choose a printed book if you study away from a screen, or an online ground school if you want progress tracking and practice exams. Once the writtens are behind you, shift to the oral exam guide and the current ACS to build lesson plans and rehearse teaching-style answers for the checkride. Adding an instrument instructor rating? Add the FAA-S-8081-9E Instrument PTS. For the rest of your ratings, browse the full flight training material hub, brush up on regulations in FAR/AIM materials, and find more ACS, PTS, and oral exam guides. If you teach commercial or instrument students, the commercial pilot and instrument rating materials are useful companions.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

  • Aviation only: we sell pilot gear and training materials and nothing else, so our team knows the CFI path firsthand.
  • Complete CFI shelf: handbooks, written test prep, oral guides, and the current ACS and PTS in one collection.
  • Trusted for 25-plus years: thousands of pilots and instructors rely on Pilot Mall for study materials.
  • Free U.S. shipping over $100: stock up on everything you need for the writtens and the checkride.
  • Expert guidance: talk to people who fly and instruct before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials do I need to study for the CFI written tests?

You need the FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) as your primary reference, plus focused test prep for the Fundamentals of Instructing and the Flight Instructor Airplane writtens. Most candidates add an oral exam guide and the current FAA-S-ACS-25 ACS to finish checkride preparation.

Do I need to pass two written tests to become a CFI?

Yes. The Certified Flight Instructor Airplane certificate requires two separate written exams: the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI), which covers teaching theory, and the Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA), which reframes aeronautical knowledge for instruction. Both must be passed before your practical test.

How many questions are on the FOI written test?

The Fundamentals of Instructing written has 50 questions with a 1.5-hour time limit, and you need 70 percent to pass. The Flight Instructor Airplane written is longer at 100 questions over 2.5 hours, also requiring a 70 percent passing score.

Which FAA handbook covers the Fundamentals of Instruction?

The Aviation Instructor's Handbook, FAA-H-8083-9B, is the source material for the FOI written. It covers the laws and levels of learning, the teaching process, lesson planning, student evaluation, professionalism, and communication, making it essential reading for every new flight instructor.

Should I use ASA or Gleim for CFI test prep?

Both prepare you for the same FAA exams, so choose by learning style. Gleim offers a structured, syllabus-driven workflow with books and online ground schools, while ASA pairs concise explanations with a book-plus-software bundle. Pick one brand and stick with it rather than mixing systems.

What does the Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide cover?

The ASA Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide presents likely examiner questions organized by subject, including the Fundamentals of Instructing, regulations, and airplane systems framed for teaching. It helps you rehearse clear, instructor-style answers and aligns your preparation with the current FAA-S-ACS-25 Flight Instructor ACS.