Military Competency to Flight Instructor Paperwork Guide
This guide will help you to prepare and submit your FAA MCI application form.
Please follow this 4-step checklist (use EVERY "click here"):
Step #1: Fill in an FAA Form 8710-1 Application:
The FAA's online application system, called IACRA, is the primary way to fill out, and save for later submission, your Military Competency Instructor application. Follow the instructions found at http://www.SheppardAir.com/download/IACRA-MCI.pdf to use IACRA. Be advised that almost everything you give IACRA as account/login info IS CASE SENSITIVE (email address, name, etc), so take note of what you capitalize. Also, use the '8710-1 Guide' below to calculate your flying hours in case they are asked for by the person you actually submit your application to.
Filling out this 8710-1 application form can create questions, so just follow our '8710-1 Guide' so you don't miss anything. Click here for the 8710-1 Guide that will even help you with the FAR references to different types of piloting time for filling in the flying times in Section III.
Please follow the IACRA instructions and the '8710-1 Guide' above first, then cross-check your completed 8710-1, which you print during the Review portion of IACRA, against this example FAA Form 8710-1 for Military Competency to Flight Instructor (click here).
Step #2: Gather the other necessary documents:
Click here for the guide to the paperwork you'll need in addition to the IACRA Form 8710-1 above.
Step #3: Locate your nearest FAA FSDO or Designated Examiner:
Locate a convenient FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or local Designated Examiner... you can turn in your paperwork and receive your new Flight Instructor Certificate with a Designated Examiner or an Inspector at a FSDO. The first link below contains contact info for inspectors and examiners who are up-to-speed on MCI, the second link is to the FAA's Designated Pilot Examiner locator, and the third link will help you find FSDOs. Please note that it can take 48 hours for your test result to be transmitted from the testing location to the FAA and be available in IACRA, so you should plan your appointment to turn in your Mil Comp application for at least two days after your test.
Click here for Mil Comp Paperwork Processing Feedback <-- Don't skip this list.
Click here for the Designated Pilot Examiner locator - Note: If you use this Designated Pilot Examiner locator, on the FAA page that appears, you will first select 'DPE' from the drop down list, then select 'Location Search' and enter the desired location information, then select 'DPE-MCE' under the Adminstrative section, and then click 'Search'.
If necessary, click here for the FAA's FSDO locator
Step #4: We recommend you take the following resources with you to the FSDO:
You may meet an Inspector who hasn't processed a Military Competency to Flight Instructor application yet. Having these items with you will help the inspector locate the information he or she needs to process your application.
- Be familiar with the FSIMS inspector job guide. It is found at:
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DRSDOCID11760333 8120230104235504.0001 - Take the three web addresses contained in this next link with you. You can click the link for a 'Printer Friendly Version' and print them out, or just write them down:
Click Here For Printer Friendly Version - Print a copy of the centerline thrust removal memo, and take it with you, if you were an IP in an airplane that used to be classified as a centerline thrust airplane:
Click Here For The Memo
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