CFI Oral question

[PDH]

Is there anything strictly off limits when using material during your CFI oral exam? I have lesson plans with notes, notes in my PTS, and notes in my FAR-AIM. I have also tabbed my FAR-AIM in multiple places. Pros, cons, and experiences please.

P.S. I am using a FSDO examiner.

 

[flyingnome]

how well do you know the FOI

 

[PDH]

Fairly confident on most items. I have a few notes in the PTS.

 

[SilverFlyer]

My initial CFI was given by a DPE and he wanted me to use Microsoft power point as much as possible. I found that the combination of creating presentations and then seeing my work on the screen was actually very helpful in reminding me with out needing a bunch of extra notes. Good luck!

 

[mpflies2]

PTS...instructional knowledge

If you look on page 5 of the CFI PTS in the bottom paragraph it states

"The term instructional knowledge" means the instructor applicant is capable of using the appropriate reference to provide the 'application or correlative level of knowledge' of a subject matter topic, procedure, or maneuver. It also means that the flight instructor applicant's discussion, explanations, and descriptions should follow the recommended teaching procedures and techniques explained in FAA-H-8083-9, Aviation Instructor's Handbook."

Essentially what this means is that if you do not know the answer to something, you are expected to demonstrate instructional knowledge by looking it up and showing that you know where to find things. As a flight instructor, nobody expects you to know everything, but you should be able to give your student some insight as to where to find something meaning you yourself need to know where to find it.

So the answer to your question is yes you can look things up..... however, I would not use all the reference materials as a crutch....you need to show you know what your talking about, but if you are unsure prove that you know where to find it and then provide them with the right answer.

Hope this helps

Marc

 

[flyer172r]

You can bring in all the other books published by the FAA such as the Airplane Flying Handbook, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, etc.

In the CFI PTS, there is a list of references that the PTS is based on. When I took mine I had all the books listed (but not all the ACs, I wasn't quite that motivated).

 

[flyingnome]

Come over prepared and expect a long oral. They can run between 6 and 8 hours or more I have heard from those unlucky ones... Know how to deal with a student that will not learn in the way you present your material.

During my checkride the examiner played many different types of students and of course never told me which kind he was playing. It will probably be a mix of teaching and just answering his/her questions. Dont stress out over the whole thing you have your lesson plans and materials and obviously the ability to teach the stuff if you recieved your endorsement. have fun with it

 

[kneeshoe]

Bring a copy of AC 61-65. Examiners are big on endorsements (esp. student pilot endorsements)

 

[unreal]

If you look on page 5 of the CFI PTS in the bottom paragraph it states

"The term instructional knowledge" means the instructor applicant is capable of using the appropriate reference to provide the 'application or correlative level of knowledge' of a subject matter topic, procedure, or maneuver. It also means that the flight instructor applicant's discussion, explanations, and descriptions should follow the recommended teaching procedures and techniques explained in FAA-H-8083-9, Aviation Instructor's Handbook."

That's the whole thing right there. The DPE doesn't expect you to know everything there is to know about flying. Just bring all the books you'll ever need for reference. If you forget something about an endorsement, bust out the FAR/AIM or ACs and present them as you would to a student. You can read off of it to refresh your memory as long as you can explain it beyond the rote/understanding level.

 

[Black Hawk]

Is there anything strictly off limits when using material during your CFI oral exam? I have lesson plans with notes, notes in my PTS, and notes in my FAR-AIM. I have also tabbed my FAR-AIM in multiple places. Pros, cons, and experiences please.

P.S. I am using a FSDO examiner.

One thing that should be off limits is demonstrating a lack of confidence by having a stack of books on the table and constantly referring to them. That will cause a bust in a heartbeat. Certainly have them available but one of the best things you can do to make things go smoothly is to have your application, medical, certificates and logbook endorsements in a neat stack to present to your examiner. Don't make them ask for it. That ASA Guide to the CFI Oral pretty much covers it. It follows the PTS outline. If you can answer all those questions you should have no problem on the oral. Many experienced CFI's still have a copy of 61-65 in their bag so they can refer to the exact language when endorsing a logbook.

One particularly tough Fed examiner told me she gets tired of CFI applicants showing up unprepared. We hear about a significant bust rate among CFI's and assume they are being unfair. While some examiners are unfair the majority of the tough (but fair) examiners will be impressed if you show up with your paperwork in a neat stack (that's what they do for a living) and are confident in the material and well prepared. If you have doubt about the material take a few weeks or even months to learn it well rather than rush into a checkride you're not ready for. That rush to get the certificate and start teaching and building hours is by far the most significant reason for the dismal CFI pass rate. Game playing and posturing by the Feds is also a reality but you can't control that. If your goal is to be one of those 10-20% who pass the first time and do what it takes to make that happen you'll be well prepared for the test and will approach it with confidence. Good luck.

 

[kneeshoe]

If you have doubt about the material take a few weeks or even months to learn it well rather than rush into a checkride you're not ready for. That rush to get the certificate and start teaching and building hours is by far the most significant reason for the dismal CFI pass rate.

Guilty

 

[Black Hawk]

Guilty

I barely squeaked by for the same reason.