Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

To achieve a specific flight proficiency benchmark, what flight time requirements must be logged?

1. 50 hours total flight time and 25 hours of dual instruction.

2. 75 hours of solo flight and 25 hours of flight with an instructor.

3. 50 hours of flight time and 50 hours of pilot in command time.

The correct answer is: 50 hours of flight time and 50 hours of pilot in command time.

The correct answer indicates that to achieve a specific flight proficiency benchmark, a pilot must log 50 hours of flight time and 50 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) time. This requirement emphasizes the importance of not only accruing total flight hours but also ensuring that a significant portion of that time is spent acting as pilot-in-command. Being PIC is crucial because it involves carrying the responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight, which is vital for developing a pilot’s decision-making and leadership skills. The emphasis on accumulating hours as PIC can be seen in various flight regulations and certifications where the experience and judgment gained from commanding a flight directly contribute to a pilot's overall competence and preparedness for more advanced flying tasks. In contrast to the other options, which specify different combinations of flight hours without necessarily prioritizing PIC experience, this requirement reinforces the standard that pilots should not only be proficient in flying but also adept at managing the responsibilities that come with being in command.