What is the minimum required flight time for a person to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)?

To become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that an applicant has a minimum of 250 hours of total flight time. This total includes both pilot-in-command (PIC) time and other flight time. The reasoning behind this requirement is to ensure that the candidate has sufficient experience and exposure to various flight conditions, aircraft operations, and instructional scenarios.

This experience is critical for an instructor who will be responsible for teaching and ensuring the safety of student pilots. A higher minimum flight time requirement helps standardize a baseline level of proficiency and knowledge that an instructor should possess before they begin training others.

The other flight time options provided do not meet the FAA's established minimum, which is why they are not correct. A CFI candidate must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of flight operations, making the 250-hour requirement necessary to prepare them for the responsibilities of instructing student pilots.