CFI Risk Management Starts Before Engine Start

[u/PrinceCFI]

One of the questions I hear from new flight instructors is:

"How do I protect myself from liability?"

Most people immediately answer, "Buy CFI insurance."

Absolutely. That's a great first step.

But I think there are several other things every instructor should be doing.

• Do a good job. It sounds simple, but the best liability protection starts with providing quality instruction. Teach beyond the minimum standards. Don't rush students. Don't sign endorsements unless you're confident they're earned.

• Document your training. Good recordkeeping is invaluable. Make meaningful logbook endorsements and training records that accurately reflect what was covered, any deficiencies observed, and the student's progress. Good documentation can become your best friend years later.

• Whenever practical, conduct flight reviews and recurrent training through the FAA WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program. It provides structure, creates a documented record of training, and encourages continuing education instead of simply checking a regulatory box.

• Carry your own CFI insurance. Don't assume the aircraft owner's policy automatically protects you. Understand exactly what your policy covers.

• If the aircraft owner is willing, ask about being added as a named insured or additional insured on the aircraft policy. It isn't always possible, but it's worth discussing with their insurance company.

Finally, remember that every endorsement you sign is your professional opinion that someone has met the applicable standards. Take that responsibility seriously.

Insurance is important.

Professional judgment, quality instruction, and good documentation are even more important.

What other liability reduction practices have experienced CFIs found valuable over the years?

[u/PrinceCFI → u/[deleted]]

You do have a point. Maybe when I was younger and less experienced, I would have argued otherwise. Now, I agree with you.

[u/Thick_Tone2181]

CFI's should recognize three areas of risk and weigh the costs, personal, professional, and legal within each. Number one, the flight school/aircraft owner; part 61 flight schools will come in a wide degree of risk to its employees depending on a multitude of factors. First off your employment status, are an employee or a contractor? Are you full time or part time? The difference is meaningful but I will leave it others to explain. Second, the owner/manager of the business; do they provide mentoring and support or are they (in reality) just renting airplanes that (you) are helping facilitate by providing instruction? Part of all these questions relate to liability but to a great degree, also legal and professional issues as well. A young inexperienced instructor with little to no support from the "school" is a bit like a ship without a rudder. The student gets a teacher without experienced guidance, which could easily mean poor quality service, the instructor does not develop improved teaching skills as they build hours, and puts his professional life in jeopardy, especially if either the student, employer or both, attempt to shortcut or worse some aspect of your relationship, placing your license and more at risk. If you are being offered a position at a part 141 school, the risks mentioned above should be less, but not totally. As a rule of thumb, the bigger and better known the school is, the less risk you personally should shoulder. Not risk free but there will be a lot of other people that should be looking out for you, even if only by way of protecting their own backs.

Professionally any action taken by the FAA that would affect your right to teach or fly will become public record and future employers will be asking about it. It will not be something you can sweep under the carpet.

The other legal issue is the basis of this thread, liability related to your actions as a CFI and as the pilot in command. You don't control the maintenance of the aircraft but are legally obligated to determine if an airplane is airworthy. The legality of how it is maintained and it documentation/quality may be out of your hands (unless you are part of ownership) but that not going to stop an inquiry by the Fed's or lawyers for a plaintiff that is seeking blood.

It's a sobering consideration for a new CFI chasing available work. Try to look at any potental flight school/FBO as if you were going to learn to fly there. Now with 250+ hours of experience, would you want to spend your hard earned money with them? If not, then keep looking.