CFI Practical tomorrow

[LewisU_Pilot]

Tomorrow will probably be the longest and hardest day of my life. I have an 8 am date with the DPA FSDO. Wish me luck! If anyone cares to leave any last minute pointers feel free.

 

[SBD]

Drink beer and relax tonight!!!!

 

[Doozer]

If you respect your instructor and he endorsed you, you're as ready as you'll ever be.

Get a good night's rest -- and maybe a couple of beers -- and good luck tomorrow.

 

[joe_pilot]

I signed off my fair share of initial instructors. The best advice I have is to start right now and try to think of the DPE as a student. It is intimidating to explain straight and level flight to a guy who has 20,000 hours, I know. You hesitate and then you start to second guess yourself during your lesson. But if you mentally approach it as “this person is a student who is paying me to teach them”, it will help. Not in a condescending way, obviously, just enough to 'trick' your mind into relaxing and doing your best to teach and not to worry about who you are talking to.

Make them your first student. If you get something wrong and they point it out, don’t sweat it. Just roll with it.

Good Luck. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Noise]

My best advice is in line with the other guys: Relax! You are ready for this thing, you most likely wouldnt be endorsed if you weren't. Also, use as many visual aids as you can while teaching, it will help both you with your teaching and the examiner/student to understand what you are saying. Dont be afraid to ask a minute or 2 to gather your thoughts before you have to teach something also. Good Luck, lets us know the good news tomorrow!

 

[charter dog]

Prove that you can teach!

The best advice I have is to start right now and try to think of the DPE as a student.

LewisU_Pilot:

That's excellent advice. The objective of this test is to determine that you are able to demonstrate instructional knowledge and ability by "teaching" the examiner in the areas called for in the "plan of action". It may help to keep your lesson presentations simple while being mentally prepared to go into greater depth when requested. Most examiners will indicate what level of instruction is expected for each area as the check progresses. Think of it as a role-playing exersize where you play the part of the competent instructor! Most importantly, relax and let your own personality and enthusiasm for the task compliment your demonstration of ability to meet PTS standards. Your training and subject area preparations are complete. Now just show the examiner your stuff. Inevitably, there will be some questions you are unable to answer off the top of your head. Demonstrate that you know where to find the answers. Self confidence and a positive outlook will allow you to be at your best. Take the night off and relax. I'll look for your "I did it!" post tommorrow night.

Best of success,

charter dog

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

Pushed back until 4/6 due to wx. Thanks for all the insight. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

 

[unreal]

Welp, I don't have too much more to add, except for how I dealt with mine: Don't study the night before the checkride. I recall that my practical test was on a monday morning (bright and early, 7am), and I finished studying for it on saturday afternoon. I know, I know, I'm sure you know this from every other checkride you've done, but it's especially true on this one.

As the others have said, on the night of April 5th, crack open a beer, watch TV, and forget all about it.

Best of luck!

 

[RichardRambone]

Agreed with above. I always don't study and totally put it out of my mind the night before a checkride. It gives your mind a chance to settle down and unwire itself. Then when the ride comes all the info comes to you in a relaxed manor.

 

[flyer172r]

Don't shut up during the flight part. Just keep explaining everything you're doing, as you're doing it, unless he tells you to shut up.

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

Took the oral yesterday. WX was crappy so couldn't do the flight. Oral wasn't as bad as I was expecting. The DPA FSDO isn't as picky as everyone makes them out to be. The oral was very fair. Lasted about 4 hours. I passed with flying colors. Flight is set for the 12th. Hopefully in less then a week I'll be a CFI.

 

[SBD]

Congrats on passing the oral!!!!! The flight will be a breeze. Just keep on talking.

 

[bobs98tlr]

Hey guys i just did a search and hope its ok to ask a few of my Q's in here rather then a new thread. Im almost done with my commercial and want to start ASAP on my CFI when im done. Im aware you have to basically know everything...which is to be expected if your going to teach. However its not the knowledge part im worried about. How does the oral go when you walk in to take it? Do you basically take the DE all the way through the lesson plans as hes a student or what? How does it work for the flight portion as well.

My CFI ride will be at the DPA FSDO as well...they have a 90% fail rate from what i hear as well..haha.

 

[iflyjets4food]

Hey guys i just did a search and hope its ok to ask a few of my Q's in here rather then a new thread. Im almost done with my commercial and want to start ASAP on my CFI when im done. Im aware you have to basically know everything...which is to be expected if your going to teach. However its not the knowledge part im worried about. How does the oral go when you walk in to take it? Do you basically take the DE all the way through the lesson plans as hes a student or what? How does it work for the flight portion as well.

My CFI ride will be at the DPA FSDO as well...they have a 90% fail rate from what i hear as well..haha.

Get a copy of the CFI PTS. That will be your guide. Typically, there are certain items listed that they must cover. In some sections, they are given a choice of what they want to cover. It isn't like a private pilot checkride where you can just answer the question. You must answer the question while expanding knowledge. You don't have to know everything. You have to know most things and know where to find the rest. Good luck to you. It is well worth it to get the CFI, and you'll learn a TON!

 

[unreal]

Took the oral yesterday. WX was crappy so couldn't do the flight. Oral wasn't as bad as I was expecting. The DPA FSDO isn't as picky as everyone makes them out to be. The oral was very fair. Lasted about 4 hours. I passed with flying colors. Flight is set for the 12th. Hopefully in less then a week I'll be a CFI.

So, how'd it go?

 

[mpflies2]

Ya how'd it go. I'm interested to know as well. Give tips. Got mine in 2 and a half weeks.

Marc

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

WX delayed it again. New date is the 20th. I just want to get it over with already!! The problem with doing it with the FAA is they aren't as flexible as a DPE.

 

[mpflies2]

sad to here that, let us know how it goes.