Written Test

[ALIMBO]

Hey everyone over this Christmas break I am going to be going to ATP down at Dallas for my CFI/CFII MEI.
Its a 2 week course that requires you to have the writtens completed before you come down. My question is can any CFI sign me off to take the writtens or is there a legality issue stating that you need to have ground done before they will sign you off to take it? I know if you fail you need to go over it with a CFI so that you can retake it. Thnks for the help.

 

[Princedietrich]

Well, there is no written for the MEI, so there's one less to worry about.

In order to take a written, you need to be signed off by an instructor that has the certificate/rating that your written is intended for. So, just go out and find a CFI+CFII and work out an arrangement. The written is where you are demonstrating the aeronautical knowledge portion of the checkride, and all the signoff does is certify that you know what you're doing enough to pass it. To my knowledge, there is no minimum amount of ground training in order to get signed off, but the instructor will probably (or at least should) want to ensure that you can pass before they put pen to logbook.

 

[ALIMBO]

Thats what I thought. I'm nervous about the FOI test any tips?

 

[avbug]

Yes. Study.

When the FAA publishes the questions and you have ample material available with not only the answers but the explainations as well, what is there to possibly be nervous about?

 

[ALIMBO]

The answers all make sense ie. it looks like 2 of the answers would be correct.

 

[say again]

When the FAA publishes the questions and you have ample material available with not only the answers but the explainations as well, what is there to possibly be nervous about?

It's the pre-test jitters. Most written tests have the answers published somewhere, as long as you read the right material.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I haven't CFI'ed in a few years, but I recall that one did not need an endorsement to take the CFI or ATP writtens.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Well, there is no written for the MEI, so there's one less to worry about.

In order to take a written, you need to be signed off by an instructor that has the certificate/rating that your written is intended for. So, just go out and find a CFI+CFII and work out an arrangement. The written is where you are demonstrating the aeronautical knowledge portion of the checkride, and all the signoff does is certify that you know what you're doing enough to pass it. To my knowledge, there is no minimum amount of ground training in order to get signed off, but the instructor will probably (or at least should) want to ensure that you can pass before they put pen to logbook.

 

[say again]

I haven't CFI'ed in a few years, but I recall that one did not need an endorsement to take the CFI or ATP writtens.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

It's been many years, and unless things have changed you are correct.

 

[ALIMBO]

Ok thats fantastic news, but you wouldn't happen to know which FAR that would fall under 61.35 states nothing specific to the CFI tests.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Why don't you ask one of the testing centers to be sure. They are the ones to verify the information. But my recollection is that the CFI, CFII, FOI, AGI, BGI, IGI, etc. writtens DO NOT need an instructors endorsement. Things may have changed but I've not heard differently.

 

[ALIMBO]

What happens if you don't pass it. Normally you need the sign off saying you covered the material that wasn't up to par?

 

[Amish RakeFight]

If you fail it, you take it again. I don't think it's required to have a sign-off after a written failure.

Once again though, speak with a FSDO or the testing center to be sure. They should be able to provide a definitive answer.

 

[ALIMBO]

Awesome thank you very much I got until December to take it so I'm just trying to take my time and pass this with 90's so my oral wont go so rough.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Use the Gleim system. Both book and CD. Worked like a charm. Passed every FAA written with 97 and above.

 

[clydefastly]

Call All ATP's,
I took my ATP written at the Addison location, which sounds like the place you are going. I think most of their locations are a testing center. They should be able to answer your ?'s and give you some study tips.

I also renewed my CFI via the GLEIM online program, easy as pie. Many things have changed over just a couple of years, so make sure you get these ?'s answered by an active CFI, just to make sure you get the correct info.

have fun

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Keep in mind that on the CFI ride you're being evaluated on your teaching abilities and the ability to maintain a safe training environment for your student. Thats for the flight portion. This means being able to think a few steps ahead of the student and know what common errors might take place.

You flying abilities DO NOT need to be perfect. During the ride, you may point out any tolerances exceeded as a lesson in what not to do and why it happened. Don't worry if you can't perform the manuevers to PTS perfection like you did on each respective ride. You've demonstrated competency in this areas so it's not as crucial on your CFI ride.

The ground work will be VERY indepth though, and you should have an almost cocky knowledge of everything you need to know. The good thing is that it's all cumulative knowledge you've built up during your prerequisites.

 

[ALIMBO]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I called ATP yes your were right no need for an endorsement on those writtens although they said if you fail it you have to wait 30 days to retake it. Now I've yet to fail a written but... I still didn't think you had to wait 30 days for the retake any knowledge on this? As for studying I've got the Gleim FOI, Gleim Instrument for the CFII, and Gleim Commercial for the CFI.

 

[nosehair]

they said if you fail it you have to wait 30 days to retake it.

That's if you don't get a sign-off.

The written test score sheet that you get has a place for a cfi sign-off to do the re-take whenever you are ready.

The requirement for endorsements on writtens and practical tests is under the "Eligibility" FAR for each cert or rating.