CFII Practical test gotchas?

[Catbert]

CFII practical test is coming up soon. I'm not really looking for gouge or war stories, mostly just questions and subject areas I may have missed. What were the areas of concentration during your oral exam? Was there anything that took you by surprise during the flight? (Yes, I do have the PTS ).

Thanks in advance,
Catbert

 

[flyer172r]

Make sure you know how all the instruments work. I didn't know them quite as well as I should've, kinda stumbled through explaining how an airspeed indicator works.

If it helps, when the examiner walked into the room he said, "Yeah, this is probably the easiest checkride you'll ever take."

 

[minitour]

Mine was my initial, so assuming this is an add-on, I'll leave out the FOI stuff which the examiner really seemed to like.

I'll second 172r's comments about instrumentation. Know how they work and what happens when they or part of their system fails...know it C-O-L-D!

Know your charts inside out...most of the symbols you'll want to know down to him asking you "what is the black box on the navaid box" and without looking you should know "its _____" (HIWAS on NACO charts?...using Jepps...can't remember the NACO symbols...)

Aside from that, try to remember also that GS and LOC needles get more sensitive as you get closer, yes...but...

...if you're a dot left, that one dot gets closer and closer to the centerline as you get closer...so if you're approaching the MM and a dot left...remind the student "just hold it there...you won't be too far off centerline".

Also, make a note OUT LOUD on an ILS or LOC approach what your mag heading is vs. what the inbound course is...then tell/ask/teach the "student" what side of the windo you'll be looking out (if crosswind corrections exist). That seemed to be impressive to the examiner.

Other than that, just keep real good situational awareness using any means necessary. If you're on vectors for an ILS using an LOM or LMM...if you see the ADF pointing at the wing, say something like "so now we know we're abeam MYFIX because..."

I'm sure you're ready if you're signed off. As an initial it was tough but fair...not sure how the add-on works.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

-mini

 

[MauleSkinner]

When you're intercepting the glideslope, and the examiner says "so...tell me about compass errors,", you reply "ok...when we're on the ground."

 

[aucfi]

When you're intercepting the glideslope, and the examiner says "so...tell me about compass errors,", you reply "ok...when we're on the ground."

Haha, good one.

My examiner stressed the four most important things on an approach that you must have memorized. Inbound course, MAP, minimums, missed approach procedures. This was part of the approach briefing during the oral. While in flight, after I briefed the approach and got established inbound, he took away the approach plate and said ok, lets see how well you briefed it.

Also dont forget to look outside. While the examiner is under the hood screwing up the approach, keep your eyes outside because its YOUR responsibility to see and avoid while the examiner/student is under the hood!

good luck

 

[USMCmech]

Make sure you know how all the instruments work. I didn't know them quite as well as I should've, kinda stumbled through explaining how an airspeed indicator works.

Am I the only one who thinks being required to practicly design the instruments from memory is overkill?

Either they work properly, or they don't. If they don't work right they should be removed, sent off and repaired. A&Ps are not allowed to repair them anyway, only special repair staions can. Knowing the abgle of tilt of the gyro in the turn cordinator dosen't help me when flying partial pannel.

Know what powers them, and a basic understanding how they work. That should be it.

 

[dumblonde]

I've been told you need to really know your endorsements, especially for an IPC, there are certain requirements that have to be met for the IPC. Make sure you know these cold. I'm also working on my double I. Best of luck to you, let us know how it goes.

DB

 

[Stifler's Mom]

If it helps, when the examiner walked into the room he said, "Yeah, this is probably the easiest checkride you'll ever take."

...and make sure you have a twenty dollar bill hidden in your palm when you shake his hand.

 

[I fLy pLaNeS]

I've heard of someone getting busted on the missed approach during a circle to land. Also to note, keep the situational awareness up. I failed my IFR ride on an on-the-field VOR because I didn't realize I was getting blown so quickly back into it. Now I make sure to watch the distance like a hawk.

 

[minitour]

Am I the only one who thinks being required to practicly design the instruments from memory is overkill?

Either they work properly, or they don't. If they don't work right they should be removed, sent off and repaired. A&Ps are not allowed to repair them anyway, only special repair staions can. Knowing the abgle of tilt of the gyro in the turn cordinator dosen't help me when flying partial pannel.

Know what powers them, and a basic understanding how they work. That should be it.

I have to agree with ya a little.

My pet peeve is memorizing how to draw the electrical system just like shown in the POH.

If I really wanted that detailed of a design, wouldn't I just turn to the systems section and look at the picture Cessna/Piper/Beech/whoever has already prepared for me?

Sure, I should know what happens if this fails or what if that fails, etc...but designing...its like reinventing the wheel.

-mini