There was a time that this was not true, and although I don't know a CFI
that does not have an instrument rating, I ALMOST know one. Mine... He
came back from Vietnam and under the GI bill worked on first his private,
then commercial, then CFI. He was getting ready for the CFI checkride and
they changed the rule, stating that in order to take the ride he required an
instrument rating. He got discouraged and never did it. Finally, about 15
years ago, he got busy and did the IR and then the CFI.

My father in law, also a Vietnam era Vet, did the same thing,although he
stopped at commercial, he said CFI came next and instrument was after the
CFI.

Just one instance, and a history lesson more than anything, but there could
be some SEL CFI's out there without instrument ratings.
Jim Burns

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
RST, I thought we were talking SEL, not glider. CFI SEL DOES require an
instrument rating.

" If I wanted to apply for a CFI SEL, I would have to have
a commercial with a SEL rating on it -- no instrument. "

No, 100% not correct, you MUST hold an instrument rating or an ATP in
order to take you initial CFI checkride for airplane or helicopter.
Gliders are a different discussion.

-Robert, CFI