Take Instructing to New Heights
When you complete your initial Flight Instructor Rating, you also need to complete it with at least one training endorsement. Most pilots choose to complete the Grade 3 Training Endorsement, as this offers the widest initial scope to be able to instruct. The following training endorsements are available.
To become a flight instructor, you need to complete a Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) course. To be eligible to commence the FIR course you must hold either a PPL, CPL or ATPL plus at least 200 flying hours (including 100 as PIC). CASA requires that flight instructors have completed a Principles and Methods of Instruction (PMI) course plus at least 1 training endorsement in addition to completing an instructor training course and passing the instructor rating aeronautical examination.
A training endorsement allows you to instruct someone for specific pilot authorisations. At Learn To Fly Melbourne, we offer Grade 3, Grade 2, Grade 1 Training Endorsement; Multi-Engine Training Endorsement; Instrument Rating Training Endorsement; Aerobatics & Spinning Training Endorsement; Design Feature Training Endorsement and Night VFR Rating Training Endorsement.
Flight instructors can teach student pilots and conduct flight and theory training for pilot licences, ratings and endorsements, with limitations. There are 3 levels of flight instructor, known as grades; flight instructors will start at grade 3 and can complete further training to advance towards grade 1. Flight instructors are able to complete training endorsement courses that allow them more flight training privileges, including conducting training for specific ratings, endorsements and flight activities, as well as sending students solo and conducting flight reviews.
Becoming a flight instructor is an enormous benefit to your professional development as a pilot as well as your career. Learning how to effectively teach different personalities and different learning styles is a worthy life skill on its own, and applying it to flight training scenarios, in turn, enhances your own flying knowledge and skills. Flight instructors are in demand in the aviation industry worldwide and that demand will only continue to grow. In addition, a flight instructor role allows you to get paid while you build your flight hours towards being eligible for other opportunities like direct entry airline pilot roles.
An excellent option for flight instructors that want the opportunity to build more multi-engine flying hours, a Multi-Engine Training Endorsement allows you to teach the syllabus for the Multi-Engine Class Rating course.
Grade 3 Training Endorsement allows you to teach RPL, PPL and CPL syllabus. This offers the greatest initial instructing scope for new instructors.
Progressing to Grade 2 and Grade 1 status allows instructors to grow their flight training capabilities and expand on their privileges, including sending students solo, assessing KDRs, granting licence endorsements, and supervising other instructors.
An Instrument Rating Training Endorsement allows you to conduct Instrument Rating flight training. This means you can continue building overall flight hours in more conditions and helps to maintain your instrument flying proficiency.
The Aerobatics & Spinning Training Endorsement allows you to instruct the aerobatics and spinning training syllabus. Aside from being a lot of fun, these flight activities are important for maintaining your ability to handle abnormal aircraft situations.
If you are looking to build your flying hours faster, being able to fly at night is a huge advantage. The Night Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Training Endorsement allows you to train and conduct flight reviews for the Night VFR course.
Some aircraft have features that require additional training, such as a tailwheel undercarriage, retractable undercarriage, and manual pitch propeller control (MPPC). A Design Feature Training Endorsement allows you to teach the syllabus for any design feature endorsements you hold.
Kenny Won
Grade 1 Instructor
Training:
FIR, CPL & More
Grade 1 LTF Instructor Kenny Won is originally from Korea and grew up in Hong Kong, and was fascinated by planes from a young age. He still clearly remembers a visit to the cockpit of an Airbus A320 during a flight when he was about 7 or 8 years old, and making the decision that this was what he wanted to do in the future.
Kenny started flying in 2017 in the USA, and obtained his PPL training part time whilst also studying at University. Following Uni, he returned to Hong Kong and worked in another industry for a couple of years before a career in the sky called to him.
He came to Australia and completed his CPL and Flight Instructor Rating with us here at LTF in 2019, and we’re now thrilled to welcome him back as an Instructor. Kenny’s ultimate goal is flying with an international airline.
Nick Harris
Head of Operations - Part 142 | Flight Examiner
Training:
Multi-Engine, IFR, Formation & more
Originally from London, Senior Base Pilot and Grade 1 Flight Instructor Nick Harris has been flying for over 12 years. He tells us that it “seemed like a good idea at the time” to become a pilot, but we think that maybe it had more to do with growing up watching the Concorde take off over his house (um, that’s pretty awesome).
As an instructor, Nick loves seeing how excited students get after their first solo, or after passing their flight test.
He hopes to one day fly a Tiger Moth around Australia – and in fact, he’s actually building one at the moment to do just that!
Karambir Singh
Grade 1 Flight Instructor
Role:
Multi-Engine, IFR, FIR & More
Karambir's journey in the world of aviation took flight from the city of Auckland in New Zealand. In pursuit of a new horizon, he embarked on a remarkable educational journey where he spent his formative years in Sydney before relocating to Melbourne in 2016 to complete his education.
Initially, Karambir's ambitions gravitated toward aeronautical engineering — however, his trajectory evolved, and he chose not to mend planes but to pilot them, guided by a growing passion for aviation.
Dedication to his newfound path, he earned an associate degree at RMIT between 2018 and 2019. The University recognised his exceptional commitment and talent, resulting in his employment as a Grade 3 Flight Instructor at the tender age of 19.
Throughout his journey, Karambir amassed a remarkable array of qualifications and expertise, including the prestigious Grade 1 Flight Instructor Rating, FIR, MECIR, Spinning & Acrobatics Rating, and a Formation Flying Endorsement. But for Karambir, the true reward of his work in aviation lies in the smiles he brings to his students' faces. Guiding them on their inaugural solo flights and witnessing their successful flight test completions, ultimately moulding them into qualified, employable pilots, is a source of immense joy and pride.
Looking ahead, Karambir envisions a long-term goal that takes him to new heights—working with an airline, exploring the vast expanse of Australia, and eventually venturing out to explore the world, much like how he has thoroughly traversed every corner of Victoria as an instructor, Karambir's aspirations are set on a global stage, where the sky is never the limit.
Joshua Best
Student Training Manager | Flight Examiner
Training:
Multi-Engine, FIR, IFR & more
Josh started his flying training at age 16 but was born with aviation in his blood. He remembers flying around the Victorian Gippsland region in Cessna 172s with his grandfather as a small child, as well as regular trips to some of the larger airports to watch the “big planes” coming and going.
As a Flight Instructor, Josh loves the fact that every day there is something different to teach. He’s also a big fan of the fact that typically, every customer or student leaves with a smile on their face after flying.
Whilst Josh would one day love to fly in a domestic passenger transport role, his ultimate goal is to join the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Sebastian Rossi
Grade 1 Flight Instructor
Role:
RPL, PPL, CPL & More
Seb's journey into the world of aviation was a destined path that began as far back as memory serves. His fascination with aviation was ingrained in the hours spent meticulously assembling and flying model planes and the countless visits to airport lookouts. At the age of 16, Seb took his first Trial Introductory Flight (TIF). This experience was like the final piece of a puzzle falling into place, confirming his career direction. He embarked on his aviation journey immediately after completing school.
In his younger years, Seb harboured dreams of becoming a fast jet pilot, perhaps inspired by the allure of Top Gun. However, as he matured, his aspirations evolved. The path that once led to fighter jets transformed into a desire for an airline career, followed by a potential transition to corporate flying or even the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) should the opportunity arise.
In the short term, Seb envisions a continued journey towards becoming a Grade 1 flight instructor, with ambitions to eventually attain the coveted Grade 1 status. Along this path, he hopes to expand his teaching repertoire, specializing in tailwheel and multi-engine instrument flight rating (IFR) instruction. As he imparts his knowledge and experience to aspiring pilots, he continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation.
Outside the realm of aviation, Seb finds solace in the warm embrace of summer and embraces an active lifestyle. His dedication to fitness and an active routine serve as a counterbalance to his intense study and work commitments.
Rudy Beynon
Grade 2 Flight Instructor
Role:
RPL, PPL, CPL & More
Rudy has harboured a profound fascination with aviation since his early years, captivated by the sight of planes flying overhead and driven to understand the mechanics of flight. This enthusiasm guided his educational choices, aligning his subjects to complement a future career in aviation. In 2015, he completed a transformative Training Introductory Flight at Tooradin, further cementing his desire to take to the skies as a pilot.
His entire journey has been shaped by the ambition to become a pilot, ultimately leading him to his current position at Learn To Fly Melbourne.
Initially aspiring to be an airline pilot, Rudy's exposure to the diverse pathways and facets of the industry shifted his ambitions. He realised there was much to explore before committing to a specific career path within the aviation domain.
In his pursuit, Rudy completed his Secondary Education VCE in 2015, covering subjects like English, Mathematics Methods, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Systems Engineering. He subsequently pursued a Bachelor's degree in Aviation at Swinburne University of Technology, focusing on Human Factors, Meteorology, Aerodynamics, Aviation Law, Aircraft Systems, Flight Planning, and Navigation.
Describing himself as outgoing, determined, positive, and enthusiastic, Rudy's personal interests include motorsport, travel, golf, and spending time at the gym. In his current role as a Grade 2 Flight Instructor, Rudy relishes the challenges of instructing, the camaraderie of the LTF team, and the joy of flying various aircraft, which fuel his passion for the aviation world. Looking ahead, Rudy remains open to the diverse possibilities the aviation industry offers, eager to explore and make a meaningful impact.
Shayaan Sohtra
Grade 1 Flight Instructor
Role:
CPL, FIR & More
Shayaan is a Grade 2 Flight instructor here at Learn To Fly. Growing up in the Middle East — Shayaan was always travelling to see family in other countries. Shayaan shares his favourite part about holidaying was boarding the aircraft, which kickstarted his fascination for aviation. He always knew he wanted to be a pilot from a very young age.
When Shayaan moved to Australia, he started flying at Moorabbin when he was 16. He was able to obtain his RPL at 17 and continued flying after finishing school and later finished his PPL, and CPL with us here at Learn To Fly. Shayaan also achieved his MEIR as well as FIR with us at Learn To Fly.
Shayaan is outgoing, vibrant and personable and always loves a good discussion.
What he enjoys about instructing the most is getting to know students' dreams and ambitions and helping them achieve them! Shayaan believes that motivation is a great drive but flight training is sometimes challenging so his goal is always to communicate and challenge students to think outside the box.
Shayaan is living part of his dream right now because ever since he started flight training he wanted to be an instructor. In the long term, he aims to fly the PC-24 for the RFDS, helping people and meeting their needs.
Hannah Burnett
Grade 1 Flight Instructor
Role:
RPL, PPL, CPL, FIR & More
Hannah was born and raised in Melbourne. She studied for the Diploma of Aviation and went on to achieve her CPL and Multi-engine Class Rating.
When going on holidays, Hannah often looked forward to flying. Pursuing an aviation career was always on her mind as a possibility after high school, but she first attended university for a year. After that year, she realised that her passion for aviation was stronger, and had never looked back.
Hannah loves instructing her students, she takes great joy in passing on her knowledge and seeing them progress. She says it is very rewarding to watch them develop their own skills and show understanding of her lessons.
Hannah would love to one day fly for a major airline. In the immediate future, she looks forward to becoming a grade 1, and then multi-engine instructor.
Martin Hussey
Grade 1 Flight Instructor
Role:
CPL, FIR & More
Martin's fascination with aviation took root when a family trip exposed him to the world of flying. A chance to explore the cockpit ignited a lifelong passion for aviation.
Having completed a Bachelor of Aviation in Queensland, followed by rigorous training at the Qantas Group Pilot Academy, he relocated to Melbourne and further fortified his expertise by achieving his G3 FIR at Learn To Fly. Martin aspires to progress through the instructing ranks, aiming for Grade 2 and, ultimately, a Grade 1. Beyond his instructional role, his sights are set on serving with either the Royal Flying Doctor Service or the airlines.
When Martin's feet are on the ground, he finds joy in sports like Cricket, AFL (where he passionately supports West Coast), and Formula 1. His curiosity about the world drives him to explore different cultures through travel, an endeavour that enriches his perspective. Martin finds profound fulfilment in imparting his wisdom to eager minds, witnessing their growth, and guiding them toward achieving their flying ambitions. Through every takeoff and landing, Martin's journey continues to be one of passion, determination, and pursuit.