Cfi....

[Almerick07]

I am about to start my CFI and am looking to finish it no more than a month from today. I was wondering if yall had any tips or know of any good resources I should use to help prepare for the checkride, thanks.

almerick

 

[moxiepilot]

if you're looking for it to take a month, study you butt off....now.

focus on what is required of the examiner to test you on (endorsements & the like) then concentrate on your weak areas (class E airspace, regs, are whatever)

The flying is the easy part.

My biggest suggestion is to study study study.

 

[viper548]

Re-read your private and commercial books. They are really big on the basics.

 

[Almerick07]

Good news, the program manager of my 141 school gave the ok to do my training part 61. Looking to save some money since 141 requires 25 flying hours. Any books in particular or computer programs that may help me prepare of the oral....besides the ASA yellow book, airplane flying handbook and the gleims?

 

[NYCPilot]

From an earlier post of mine on Airman (cut and pasted)

My suggestion is to read from cover to cover the FAA's "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge," "Instrument Flying Handbook" and the "Aviation Instructor Handbook." All three are great sources of information and stuff that WILL be asked during your oral. The better prepared you are, the quicker and easier your time there will be, especially if you intend on getting out of there on schedule.

Definitely know the FOI stuff inside and out. YOU WILL be asked everything from that reference material. Agreeably, the book seems like a lot to digest, but a helpful resource guide to understanding this material in a more concise way would be to supplement it with Gleim’s “Flight Instructor Flight Manual.”

You might also want to go through the FAA "Airplane Flying Handbook."

 

[Junior2]

DONT FORGET PART 61!!!

The one thing applicants are really shakey on is part 61. If you read this part from page one to the end about three times, and truely disect it...it will really help out....

...read what everyone else said, the flying is the easiest....remember on this checkride you need to convey to the examiner that you can TEACH SOMEONE TO FLY TO PTS...not necessarily fly maneuvers.

95% of your time should be spent STUDYING...the other 5% flying

ALSO...if you make lesson plans, TEACH THEM before you use them, EVERY LESSON TEACH TO A CFI, and then be critiqued (not just evaluated)

 

[viper548]

From an earlier post of mine on Airman (cut and pasted)

My suggestion is to read from cover to cover the FAA's "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge," "Instrument Flying Handbook" and the "Aviation Instructor Handbook." All three are great sources of information and stuff that WILL be asked during your oral. The better prepared you are, the quicker and easier your time there will be, especially if you intend on getting out of there on schedule.

Definitely know the FOI stuff inside and out. YOU WILL be asked everything from that reference material. Agreeably, the book seems like a lot to digest, but a helpful resource guide to understanding this material in a more concise way would be to supplement it with Gleim’s “Flight Instructor Flight Manual.”

You might also want to go through the FAA "Airplane Flying Handbook."

Definatly read all the books put out by the FAA

 

[NYCPilot]

Make up lesson plans from the sources I mentioned above for everything covered in the PTS. This way, as you type away, you're learning the maneuvers and instruments, etc.

 

[viper548]

I'd also suggest going to the faa website and taking a look at advisory circulars.

 

[Goose Egg]

Any books in particular or computer programs that may help me prepare of the oral....besides the ASA yellow book, airplane flying handbook and the gleims?

Like some of the other guys have said the Aviation Instructor Handbook is a pretty good reference to have (it contains the FOI stuff.) I found the CFI Manevuers Manual from Gliem to be pretty helpful.

The one suggestion that I would make would be not to put such a strict time limitation on yourself. The CFI, like many things in flying, takes however long it takes--either you are ready or you aren't. Don't assume unnecessary pressure. You'll have enough as it is. Freaking because you aren't done "in time" will only shortchange the learning process. I know whereof I speak.

-Goose

 

[Doc Holiday]

In addition to have having the knowledge, come up with as many different ways of explaining/teaching concepts and maneuvers as you can think of. Your way of first understanding something will not always work with student, but another method (even one you find less desirable) will probably work as long as it gets the concept accross.

Also think of scenario based questions and how you would answer them. For example, a student constantly tries to land the airplane in a crab, how would you correct this? Hint: A short lesson about visual cues and how the human eye works.

Good luck.

 

[Almerick07]

Lesson planning it is; I feel confident that it is the best way to go about getting ready for the oral...on the other hand, FOI sucks a$$....dang does it suck. I think a month is plenty of time to get this all together, considering I got my private a year ago to date I really feel all the material is still current.

 

[blueraider]

LP's, this is the one checkride you can go into with the "cheat sheet" in hand... and read and be able to teach the FI PTS book, each area is typed out to what the examiner will and can choose...Good Luck

 

[hindsight2020]

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[Goose Egg]

Ugghhh... shortboarders....

I think a month is plenty of time to get this all together, considering I got my private a year ago to date I really feel all the material is still current.

Uh huh. Are you saying this before or after you've tried to fly to Commercial PTS from the right seat? And speaking of lesson plans, how are those going?

Seriously, I don't see what the big rush is. Say you did actually get it done in a month vs. three (which is how long it took for me.) That's two months earlier that you can start instructing, which means that's two months earlier that you can take a pay cut to commute to sit reserve. Yay.

My point is that I think that you are doing yourself a disservice by rushing the CFI. It is a difficult rating to obtain, and it will stretch you in ways that you have not even considered and cannot be planned for. Allow yourself the time, whether that be two months or six, to get it down and be prepared for real students. The LAST thing that you want to do is get your ego all tied up in the obtaining of some rating. It takes you how long it takes. It ain't a race.

-Goose

 

[JediNein]

www.slantgolf.com, scroll to the bottom, click on Jedi Nein's CFI page.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[NYCPilot]

Here's some useful stuff you can use with your students when you become a CFI. Use it in putting together your CFI study material too.

www.whittsflying.com

 

[Almerick07]

hey thanks guys for the links, ill be using them....on the other hand I am a student who has one year left of school, If I have any chance of building enough hours by the time I graduate I CAN NOT wait 2 more months (and get hired in Jan.) I was asking for resources to help me obtain a rating....And when I graduate I have differnet plans than sitting reserve for an airline.

But seriously those links are awesome

 

[Goose Egg]

...I am a student who has one year left of school, If I have any chance of building enough hours by the time I graduate I CAN NOT wait 2 more months (and get hired in Jan.)....And when I graduate I have differnet plans than sitting reserve for an airline.

Enough hours for what, if you aren't sittin' reserve? Seriously, dude, your CFI is gonna take however long it takes, whether it fits your timetable or not. Don't believe me? Wait and see.

And what happens if you don't get hired in Jan? Do you turn into a pumpkin or something?

And I'm willing to bet you a whole dollar that two months won't make or break your plans.

-Goose

 

[Almerick07]

with the exception to a few helpful individuals I want to say some of you are the least motivational pilots around....make it my goal to never jade or present doubt in a students mind that something cant be done. I have goals; a month to get my CFI done is MY goal, so why dont you go worry about yourself goose and stop bringing the rest of us down.

 

[Goose Egg]

with the exception to a few helpful individuals I want to say some of you are the least motivational pilots around....

I'll assume that was pointed at me. You'll probably disagree, but I would think that I'd be doing you a far bigger favor by aquainting you with the facts of the matter vs. blowing sunshine up your poop chute. I'm telling you to expect setbacks so that you can plan for and weather them, so that the inevitable snag will not derail you. Life is still worth living if you don't make CFI in a month. We're all pullin' for ya, big guy.

In my professional opinion, a student is a lot more likely to succeed if problem areas are a. identified, b. acknowledged, and c. properly dealt with. If that makes me seem un-motivational, so be it. At least I give a flyin' sh#t about my students, unlike some folks who just want to grab the time and run.

...make it my goal to never jade or present doubt in a students mind that something cant be done...

So, the key to success is to be free of doubt? No, my friend, doubt is always present. When we suppress it, it gains more power. When we acknowledge and deal with it, it becomes manageable.

I have goals; a month to get my CFI done is MY goal, so why dont you go worry about yourself goose and stop bringing the rest of us down.

Fine, best of luck. It's sort of funny, though, that you consider the fact that I told you that your CFI might take two months or three months as "bringing [you] down" or "jading" you, or putting "doubts" in your mind. Are you that insecure? Notice I never told you that you couldn't get your CFI, just that it may take you longer than you had planned for.

But hey, if you can get it done in a month, more power to you.

-Goose

 

[Almerick07]

look I didnt come here to start $hit with anyone; I appreciate your concern but bottom line was I wasnt asking for concern, just some resources that might make my training a little more efficient.

 

[ToiletDuck]

what percentage of your CFI rides was FOI stuff and how much was the rest? Also did you go with an FAA examiner or one of those designated guys they have in Colorado and a few other places? I've finished my flying portion and have the FOI under my belt. Today I'm grabbing the FAR aim and commiting part 61 to memory.

 

[flyifrvfr]

Just so I can mediaite this, a month to get the CFI is not out of the question. ATP offers a CFI course which will get you the CFI/CFII/MEI in 14 days. So getting a CFI in a month is doable. Now the argument for it possibly taking over a month for the CFI is also valid because you have to take into account the weather, scheduling conflicts, airplane availability, and the D.E or FSDO's schedule.

So Gooseegg is not trying to rain on your parade, he is just trying to tell you that any one of the things listed above could delay you from your stated goal.

 

[Goose Egg]

what percentage of your CFI rides was FOI stuff and how much was the rest?

I'd say about 10% FOI, 40% Regs, and the other 50% was teaching my technical subject area (Aircraft Control Surfaces) and maneuver lessons (Lazy 8s.)

Also did you go with an FAA examiner or one of those designated guys they have in Colorado and a few other places?

DE, from Grand Junction, CO.

Today I'm grabbing the FAR aim and commiting part 61 to memory.

Excellent idea. Don't forget 91.

-Goose

 

[casper1nine]

almerick07, you came here for advice and maybe a little encouragement, and here it is. while agree with goose egg that training "takes how long it takes," i did my cfi initial in 1 week (aka 7 days). the only hold-up was the fsdo and getting the ride scheduled. granted, i was READY.

good luck.

casper1nine

 

[Almerick07]

Now that is impressive, I've got my writtens out of the way and am in the process of getting my checkride scheduled. Flying from the right seat is not as hard as I thought it would be, but that paralax kills me when making powersettings....As of now it is all study study study.

 

[viper548]

Some advise on saving money on the CFI training: Find another pilot to go with you and sit left seat while you practice from the right until you feel comfortable, then fly solo until you are proficient. You know how to do all the maneuvers, there's no sense in paying someone to teach you what you already know. If possible fly with different instructors during your training. you'll pick up techniques that will be very usefull. Don't skimp on the ground training. You will need to know the FOI and limitations and privileges of the CFI cert. Be very familiar with the required endorsements for a private pilot student during all phases of their training.
Stall/spin awareness is huge, if you mess this part up, you have to do a spin on your checkride. Good luck

 

[Big Dog]

Schedule your ride soon...

The initial CFI is one of the hardest to get scheduled, not many DPEs can do them, and those that do need permission from the local FSDO, which would rather do them, not to mention it's free at the FSDO. The DPE will probably charge around $300 for one. It sounds like you have somebody that can do an initial CFI quickly. If not, get the ball rolling now. A month to wait for a FSDO is not uncommon.

 

[blueraider]

Some advise on saving money on the CFI training: Find another pilot to go with you and sit left seat while you practice from the right until you feel comfortable, then fly solo until you are proficient. You know how to do all the maneuvers, there's no sense in paying someone to teach you what you already know. If possible fly with different instructors during your training. you'll pick up techniques that will be very usefull. Don't skimp on the ground training. You will need to know the FOI and limitations and privileges of the CFI cert. Be very familiar with the required endorsements for a private pilot student during all phases of their training.
Stall/spin awareness is huge, if you mess this part up, you have to do a spin on your checkride. Good luck

...not necessarily, I agree 100% with everything but 1 item, you have to exhibit instructional knowledge of spin awareness and avoidance the DPE or Inspector probably does not want to spin so if you mess that question up the next one you get will be, lets say unanswerable.

That was in my teachings though, make sure you know your stuff....