CFI Binder · Revision 5.1
Helicopter CFI lesson plans covering 62 ACS tasks, every one that applies to a single-engine, skid-equipped helicopter. Written and illustrated in-house. Editable in Word.
From $174. Digital, print, or both.
One cell, one task, one lesson plan. Tap any area to see its tasks. Multiengine and wheel-gear tasks are left out: these are written for single-engine, skid-equipped helicopters.
The CFI Binder
Digital, print, or both. Pick the format that fits how you teach. The price and the image update as you choose.
Complete, checkride-ready lesson plans covering every task in the Airman Certification Standards, with in-house illustrations and references on the page.
Instant download · PDF + editable Word · free updates for life
Add to cartPro Bundle
Two binders, two formats, one price: the CFI Binder and the CFII Binder, each in both the digital and the printed edition. Every lesson plan you will teach from the day you pass your CFI ride to the day you sign off an instrument student.
Everything included
Both printed binders ship to you · Both digital editions delivered instantly · Free lifetime revisions of the digital editions · Priority email support
Don't reinvent the wheel
Every Flight First lesson plan has been written, tested, and refined in the field. You could build all of this yourself, or you could start where the work is already done and spend your time learning to teach.
Hundreds of hours before your first lesson, time you don't get back.
Download today. Spend your time mastering the material and nailing the checkride.
Start with the binderYou'll teach the FAA's material either way. The only question is whether you spend your months rebuilding it, or teaching it.
Explore what's inside
Tried, tested, and refined in the field, with in-house illustrations and references built onto the page.
Premium lesson plans that look as sharp as your instruction.
The hard ideas, drawn out so students actually retain them.
Structured the way a Designated Pilot Examiner expects to see it.
Ensure your instruction meets the highest standards. The CFI Binder is built to the Airman Certification Standards, so your lessons are thorough and aligned with the FAA's requirements, peace of mind for you and your students.
The aviation world is always evolving, and you need materials that reflect the current standards. With the CFI Binder you have the most relevant information at your fingertips, so you can give your students the most current, accurate training possible.
Including every endorsement laid out in Advisory Circular 61-65, the binder comes with a comprehensive guide, plus a visual map of exactly which endorsements a student needs from zero to private pilot.
The maneuver lessons describe their purpose and execution step by step, in text and graphics, to reinforce learning and cut time spent on the ground.
One of our standout features is the illustrations. The binder includes high-resolution diagrams, illustrations, and charts that simplify complex concepts and make them far easier to teach.
Whether you're prepping a lesson or reviewing a student's progress, everything you need is in one accessible place. Say goodbye to clutter. This is organization that makes you a more effective instructor.
The topics that fail checkrides
Students tend to score poorly on weather, especially weather reports. These lesson plans teach everything weather-related on a deeper, more intuitive level.
Students often fail checkrides on seemingly simple airspace questions. Fully covered, explained, and visualized. Airspace becomes your strength, not your weakness.
One of the least popular topics to learn or teach. We've simplified it with concise language, easy formulas, and professional visuals that actually stick.
Kept current
This isn't a file that was finished once and left alone. When the standards move, the affected lesson plans are rewritten — and the digital edition you already own updates with them.
Section III has been rewritten to line up with the current Airman Certification Standards, and every rule, regulation, and reference in it has been brought up to date with what's in force today. Same section, current material.
Revision 5 → 5.1 · Section III, Preflight Preparation
Already own the digital edition? Revision 5.1 is yours at no extra cost, like every revision before it. Free updates apply to the digital edition.
Every revision is researched and written by the same instructors who wrote the binder — not outsourced, not auto-generated.
Every revision, past and future, is included with the digital edition for as long as you own it.
The PDF and the editable Word files are updated together, so the two never disagree on what the current material says.
See it for yourself
A working sample straight from the binder. Flip through real lesson-plan pages, objectives, completion standards, and illustrations, exactly as they're laid out inside.
From the field
Reviews from verified customers teaching from the binder.
The CFI Binder has been an incredible asset in my teaching. Great lesson plans! It’s comprehensive and easy to use, helping me stay organized and effective in my instruction. The detailed lesson plans and structured format ensure that all critical points are covered during training. A must-have for any CFI!
An excellent binder CFI’s. It definitely saved me a lot of time. I had already started making my own, but was quickly running out of time. Well worth it if you ask me.
This binder is a must-have for any CFI. Very pleased with this purchase.
The Flight First CFI Binder has exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend it to all CFIs.
This binder is superb. Worth every cent!
I’m very impressed with the Flight First CFI Binder. The amount of detail and organization it offers is exceptional. The binder covers everything from basic principles to advanced techniques, making it easy to provide comprehensive instruction. The additional resources and teaching tips have also been very helpful. It’s been a tremendous help in my training and instruction. Highly recommend!
Since purchasing the Flight First CFI Binder, my instructional capabilities have significantly improved. The clear and concise content, along with the structured format, has been a tremendous help. The binder covers everything I need, from basic principles to advanced techniques. Highly recommend it to any CFI looking to improve their teaching effectiveness and stay organized.
The Flight First CFI Binder has everything I need. A great investment!
The Flight First CFI Binder has been an absolute game-changer for my training. Highly recommend!
I can’t recommend the Flight First CFI Binder enough. It’s been incredibly helpful in organizing my lesson plans and ensuring I cover all necessary topics. The binder is well-structured and packed with valuable information. The additional resources and teaching tips have also been very beneficial. An excellent resource for CFIs looking to enhance their teaching methods and stay organized.
An excellent resource for any CFI. Very happy with this purchase!
The Flight First CFI Binder is essential for any flight instructor. The material is well-organized, making it easy to reference during lessons. The detailed lesson plans and comprehensive checklists ensure that I cover all the necessary points during instruction. It’s been a great addition to my teaching toolkit and has significantly improved my ability to provide thorough and effective training.
The Flight First CFI Binder is thorough and well-structured. It’s been an invaluable resource for organizing my lesson plans and ensuring I’m always prepared. The detailed content and clear explanations have significantly improved my teaching effectiveness. The additional resources and checklists have also been very useful. I highly recommend it to other CFIs looking to enhance their teaching methods and stay organized.
This binder is excellent. It’s well-organized and full of useful information that has made my teaching much more efficient. The Flight First CFI Binder is a valuable tool for any flight instructor. The structured lesson plans and comprehensive checklists ensure that no critical aspect is overlooked during instruction. The additional resources and tips included have also been very beneficial. I highly recommend it to all CFIs.
This binder is incredibly comprehensive and easy to use. It’s helped me stay organized and prepared for every lesson. The detailed lesson plans and clear explanations make it easy to cover all the essential topics. The additional checklists and resources have also been very useful. The Flight First CFI Binder is a must-have for any serious flight instructor looking to provide thorough and effective training.
This binder is incredibly well-organized, covers everything you need, and looks really nice. It's easy to find what you're looking for, and the design is pleasing to the eye. I think it's a must-have for helicopter flight instructors, whether you're just starting out or have years of experience.
I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on the binder, and I must say it exceeded my expectations. The binder's organization, comprehensive content, and practical resources make it an invaluable tool for aspiring flight instructors. It's a must-have for anyone on the path to becoming a CFI.
The Flight First CFI Binder has been an invaluable resource. Highly recommend!
This binder has been a lifesaver! An invaluable tool for my CFI training.
As a flight instructor, the Flight First CFI Binder has been a game-changer. The detailed lesson plans and resources it offers have made my job much easier. The binder is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it simple to find the information I need. The additional teaching tips and best practices have also been incredibly helpful. It’s a fantastic tool for any CFI looking to improve their instructional methods.
The Flight First CFI Binder is top-notch. It’s full of valuable information that’s easy to access and has made my lesson planning far more efficient. The binder’s structured format and comprehensive content have been incredibly helpful. The inclusion of teaching tips and best practices has also enhanced my instructional methods. I can’t imagine teaching without it!
This CFI Binder is incredibly detailed and easy to use. I didn't realize you needed this much material for the CFI checkride, so to me it made sense to just learn the material instead of making it all by myself. Great stuff overall.
I love how detailed and user-friendly the Flight First CFI Binder is. A must-have for any CFI!
This binder is fantastic! Definitely a valuable resource for any flight instructor.
I’m so impressed with the quality of this binder. It’s definitely helped me become a better instructor.
As a new CFI, this binder has been indispensable. Worth every penny!
I’ve been using the Flight First CFI Binder for a few months now, and it’s been a fantastic resource.
This is the best set of lesson plans I have been able to find. Highly recommended for anyone looking to become a CFI!!
I wasn't sure about the price tag, but I have to say it's worth it for the convenience. Everything is nicely laid out and I can focus on studying rather than making lesson plans... Overall I'm happy.
Got me through my CFI checkride! Overall great lesson plans with references right on the page.
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Questions
Buy the digital edition and it begins downloading the moment you finish checkout. It also stays in your account, so you can re-download the latest version anytime, for life, in both PDF and Word. The printed edition ships to you via USPS, usually within one business day.
Yes. They are independent products. Buy Digital on its own for $174, Print on its own for $244, or take both together for $279 and save $139.
The CFI Binder follows the structure of the FAA's Airman Certification Standards and covers 62 of its 65 tasks in depth. The three left out apply only to aircraft these lesson plans are not written for: taxiing and rolling takeoffs with wheel-type landing gear, and the one-engine-inoperative approach and landing, which the ACS marks multiengine only.
Yes. The current release is Revision 5.1, which revamped Section III — Preflight Preparation to align with the current ACS and the latest rules and regulations. We update our lesson plans regularly with the latest information from the FAA, and every reference is kept current as we continue to improve our products. As long as you own the digital edition, you'll always have access to the latest version.
Definitely. The digital edition is an unprotected PDF, so you can freely print it and bind it yourself. It also comes in editable Word format.
Definitely. There's no reason to reinvent the wheel. We all teach the FAA's material, which is exactly what these lesson plans are based on. Making every lesson plan yourself isn't necessary to pass the checkride or to be an effective CFI. What matters most is reading and understanding the material.
Whichever lesson plans you bring are your own to teach from. What a Designated Pilot Examiner cares about is whether you can use them effectively.
Our products are routinely discounted. We do not offer a military discount.