Regulation Text
§ 61.215 Ground instructor privileges.
(a) A person who holds a basic ground instructor rating is authorized to provide—
(1) Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of a sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, or associated ratings under this part;
(2) Ground training required for a sport pilot, recreational pilot, and private pilot flight review; and
(3) A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of a sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or private pilot certificate under this part.
(b) A person who holds an advanced ground instructor rating is authorized to provide:
(1) Ground training on the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of any certificate or rating under this part except for the aeronautical knowledge areas required for an instrument rating.
(2) The ground training required for any flight review except for the training required for an instrument rating.
(3) A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of any certificate or rating under this part except for an instrument rating.
(c) A person who holds an instrument ground instructor rating is authorized to provide:
(1) Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of an instrument rating under this part;
(2) Ground training required for an instrument proficiency check; and
(3) A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of an instrument rating under this part.
(d) A person who holds a ground instructor certificate is authorized, within the limitations of the ratings on the ground instructor certificate, to endorse the logbook or other training record of a person to whom the holder has provided the training or recommendation specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42562, Aug. 21, 2009; Docket FAA-2023-0825, Amdt. 61-155, 89 FR 80052, Oct. 1, 2024]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.215 Ground Instructor Privileges
What Ground Instructors Can and Cannot Do
§ 61.215 specifies the privileges for each ground instructor rating. The key practical constraints:
- Ground instructors can provide ground training and endorse logbooks for knowledge test recommendations within their rating privilege level
- Ground instructors cannot endorse for solo flight, solo cross-country, or practical tests — those endorsements require a flight instructor certificate
- Ground instructors cannot conduct flight reviews or instrument proficiency checks
- Ground instructors cannot conduct flight training of any kind
Source: 14 CFR § 61.215
§ 61.215(e) — Cannot Train Initial CFI Applicants Without Additional Qualifications
§ 61.215(e) makes an important limitation explicit: ground training provided to an initial flight instructor applicant may only be provided in accordance with § 61.195(h)(1) — meaning the ground instructor must meet the same qualifications required of CFIs providing initial-CFI ground training. These qualifications include holding the certificate for at least 24 months and having given at least 40 hours of ground training, or having given at least 100 hours of ground training in an FAA-approved course. Source: 14 CFR § 61.215(e)
Knowledge Test Recommendation Authority by Rating
BGI: sport, recreational, and private pilot knowledge tests. AGI: all certificates and ratings except instrument. IGI: instrument rating knowledge tests. An AGI cannot recommend an instrument candidate for their written test — that requires the IGI or a CFII. Source: 14 CFR § 61.215(a)–(c)
2024 Amendment — Initial CFI Training Qualification Extension to Ground Instructors
The 2024 amendment (Amdt. 61-155, 89 FR 80052, Oct. 1, 2024) added § 61.215(e), explicitly tying the ground instructor's authority to train initial CFI applicants to the § 61.195(h)(1) qualifications. Source: 89 FR 80052
Amendment History
AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.