What is the minimum required flight time for a flight instructor certificate under Part 61?

The minimum required flight time for a flight instructor certificate under Part 61 is indeed 250 hours. This requirement encompasses a mix of flight experience that includes both pilot-in-command time and other necessary flying hours. The objective behind this requirement is to ensure that aspiring flight instructors possess a solid foundation of practical flying experience, which equips them with the skills and understanding necessary to teach others effectively.

Having accumulated this amount of flight time helps instructors develop a depth of knowledge about flight operations, safety, and instruction techniques. The 250-hour requirement can only be achieved through a combination of various flight experiences, which could include cross-country flying, night flying, and instrument time, among others. This regulation is set to ensure that when individuals are authorized to instruct others in flying, they have demonstrated a sufficient level of proficiency and experience to do so safely and effectively.