CFI renewel

[na265]

Just finished it with Gleim. Not to bad, it was easier than American Flyers. Can't believe this is the 8th time I've renewed.

 

[BLing]

I cant wait until I dont have to be a CFI anymore! I take that back, I cant wait until I dont have use my CFI as a stepping stone!

 

[JAFI]

I cant wait until I dont have to be a CFI anymore! I take that back, I cant wait until I dont have use my CFI as a stepping stone!

And people say no one has a professional attitude any more. BLing, you are a credit to........ well something other than teaching.

JAFI

 

[na265]

Ya know BLing, I was there at one time too. Enjoy the time you CFI. The guys, or girls, that you work with will be friends and contacts for life. Do I miss instructing? some times. I enjoyed having a student who may have never flown in their life, and take them through to getting a PPL. That was cool.

 

[check6]

Can't believe this is the 8th time I've renewed.

Kudos to renewing. I have an FO friend who needs to renew in January, but he says he won't because he doesn't want to. Why would anyone not want to renew their certificate, even if they don't teach actively? It shows status and I've heard the CFI practical is the hardest test to pass these days.

Once again, goojob.

check6

 

[kaj837]

If you have a CFI don't ever be foolish enough to let it expire. I did when I retired and thought I would never instruct again. Big mistake!! Moved to a new location, a neighborhood flying club was formed, and needed a CFI. Reinstatement is a pain, and expensive. BTW, I have renewd now a couple of times with American Flyers, and prefer them to Gleim.

 

[na265]

Thanks Check6, It was a tough check ride, I don't want to do it again. All you have to do these days to renew is a course on the net. It is time consuming, but, not that bad.

I did American Flyers course last time. I started with them this time and just could not stand sitting in front of the computer checking my time till the next stage test. My opinon, for what that is worth, the Gleim was easier. The T/F questions got me ready for the test, and I printed off the study material for refrence.

 

[TankerDriver]

I'm not sure why anyone would let theirs expire either. It was the hardest checkride I've gone through, Air Force UPT included. I had a 4 1/2 hour oral and 3 hours in the airplane, all in one day. I've done the Gleim thing once and for $120, it's well worth it. I'll be doing it next Fall again. You never know when you'll need it again. CFI'ing is not the greatest flying job in the world, but it's flying and keeps you current ( and pays the bills, somewhat ).

 

[na265]

Tanker, good news, it is only $99.00 now. So much for that tax deduction.

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

Nevermind

 

[TankerDriver]

Tanker, good news, it is only $99.00 now. So much for that tax deduction.

I think it was $99 before, but there is an option for electronic renewal through the FAA instead of bringing the paperwork to the FSDO to renew, which costs $20 or so extra. The nearest FSDO was about 2 hours away from me, so I just paid the $20 extra.

 

[na265]

I'll add a bit more on this. Called the local FSDO, in Houston, they said they only do CFI renewals on the first Friday of every month. It seems they are way understaffed. I will need to call a DE, and pay a fee, to get renewed. Maybe I'll have to do the on-line deal like you did Tanker.

I guess nothing is free any more.

 

[Hung Start]

I just did the American Flyers one, again. I have to tell you, this pay once for life thing is ok.. Third renewal for me from them, and it is a pain until I remember I am not paying for it anymore.
I would recommend it just for that alone.

 

[NYCPilot]

How many hours does it take to complete the gleim at home refresher?

 

[TankerDriver]

NYCPilot, it took me about a week working on it a few hours a night.

 

[lowlycfi]

I'll add a bit more on this. Called the local FSDO, in Houston, they said they only do CFI renewals on the first Friday of every month. It seems they are way understaffed. I will need to call a DE, and pay a fee, to get renewed. Maybe I'll have to do the on-line deal like you did Tanker.

I guess nothing is free any more.

Hey na, if you can get it done in SAT quicker and can get up here, call me and I'll give you a ride to the FSDO.

 

[WillFlyFoCookie]

Which is better?

Which way to renew is the best in everyone's opinion? Gleim, American Flyers, weekend course or other?

 

[UGAflyer]

will have to renew in July....what do you do after you finish the AF/Gleim or whatever refresher course? do you take a printout to the FSDO or what?

 

[Hung Start]

When you finish the American Flyers thing you print out a certificate, take it to any FSDO and they issue a temp right there. A/F will even do that for you for an additional $40.00 bucks or so.
And as I have said before,, pay once and it is free for life. So no reason in the world to let it expire. 16 or so hours in front of the computer once every 24 months isn't all that bad, you waste more time here reading my dribble!

 

[CFIPilot]

You all must know that all you have to do is go to your local FSDO and show proof of the training you've provided and they will renew it for free, right? Takes all of five minutes...

 

[Hung Start]

I think the FSDO's are starting to change their minds on that. They used to do it under a "personal knowledge" provision. But ffom what I have seen in the past 3 years (2 different FSDO's) they seem to shy away from it. I think the word got out for us to get recurrent training rather than going the free route.

 

[JAFI]

I think the FSDO's are starting to change their minds on that. They used to do it under a "personal knowledge" provision. But ffom what I have seen in the past 3 years (2 different FSDO's) they seem to shy away from it. I think the word got out for us to get recurrent training rather than going the free route.

Really it was from April 2000 when the form 8710 was updated. I called the Regrestry in OKC to ask about the form change and the "Personal Knowledge" CFI renewal box was missing.

The people reviewing the form noticed a CFI could be renewed by Inspector "Personal Knowledge" of the applicant. There was no guidance (policy or regulation) to allow the "Personal Knowledge" part, or the guidance was changed long ago and the form was not updated with the guidance. So the "Personal Knowledge" box was deleted from the form so that avenue for renewal went away.

JAFI

 

[avbug]

I did the Jepp Online program (via AOPA ASF) in December, while I was attending recurrent. Just at night in the hotel and one day when there was nothing else going on. Even managed to study for recurrent, too. The course could have been better, but was okay.

I think it was about ninety bucks or so...but less than two weeks after I sent the paperwork to Jepp, I had the temp and a grad certificate in hand, no extra fees. No visit to the FSDO while on the road, no hassle. It can't get much more simple than that.

 

[labbats]

What happens if you fail the written exams?

 

[CFIPilot]

Unbelievable!!!

Pardon my directness, but some people here are such idiots!!! It's one of the main reasons I haven't looked at this board for over a year. I came back to take a look, and it hasn't changed. I mean no disrespect to the many here that know what they're talking about, but jeez, the stupidity is almost overwhelming.

What was the post from Labbats about the CFI written exams about? WHAT WRITTEN EXAMS??? And what about what Hung Start and JAFI said about the 'Personal Knowledge' business? NONESENSE! That has nothing to do with it.

For all the so called professional CFI's out there reading this post, I have a little advise. There is a book, published by the FAA called the FAR/AIM. You should have a look, it's really quite enlightening. In fact, it contains many of the answers to questions we all ponder...

I'll give you all a hint, FAR 61.197 states...well, just read it. Unbelievable.

 

[Hung Start]

Well,, old wise on. Enlighten me if you would. What did I say that was nonsense?
Not sure of your age or experiance, but back a few years you COULD easily get your CFI renewed by any inspector based on his/her personal knowledge of you. Did it a few times myself. It was even a block on the 8710. Opps,, I think that form number has changed! My, how the FAA has modified things over the years.
Sorry, sonny, my alzheimer's must be kicking in again.
If you're such a wonderful teacher of knowledge, how about teaching something? Isn't there something in the FOI's about "negative" reinforcement?
Or am I so old that they changed that section too?

Hung

 

[labbats]

Pardon my directness, but some people here are such idiots!!! It's one of the main reasons I haven't looked at this board for over a year. I came back to take a look, and it hasn't changed. I mean no disrespect to the many here that know what they're talking about, but jeez, the stupidity is almost overwhelming.

What was the post from Labbats about the CFI written exams about? WHAT WRITTEN EXAMS??? And what about what Hung Start and JAFI said about the 'Personal Knowledge' business? NONESENSE! That has nothing to do with it.

For all the so called professional CFI's out there reading this post, I have a little advise. There is a book, published by the FAA called the FAR/AIM. You should have a look, it's really quite enlightening. In fact, it contains many of the answers to questions we all ponder...

I'll give you all a hint, FAR 61.197 states...well, just read it. Unbelievable.

Take another bite of hubris. There's written exams from American Flyers and Gleim that everyone is talking about taking online. I was curious what happened if you failed them.

Go do some more touch and goes. In fact, why don't you touch and go away.

 

[Hung Start]

Labbats:

Can only speak for the A/F course, took it again in October. If my mind has not completely failed me, I remember you could take each module twice, but if you failed it more than twice you had to call the testing center for directions. Not sure what that meant, maybe whips and chains before passing. lol
I have never been a great scholar, but I had no trouble passing each module the first time. And, I don't instruct very much anymore, someone who does a fair amout should breeze through.
Good luck

 

[labbats]

I appreciate that. I have to take them soon myself.

 

[JAFI]

What was the post from Labbats about the CFI written exams about? WHAT WRITTEN EXAMS??? And what about what Hung Start and JAFI said about the 'Personal Knowledge' business? NONESENSE! That has nothing to do with it.

Nonesense, or did you mean NONsense? Maybe if you looked at an 8710-1 form published before 4-2000 you will see the "Personal Knowldege" check box under Flight Instructor Renewal on the back of the form.

It could have been before your time as a CFI. Some of us may have been a CFI longer than you have been alive. You should not be expected to know what was on an 8710 before your time. No need to get angry about it.

JAFI