CFIs, did you use 1 or 2 AC on the ride?

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I've got my CFI ride creeping up on me now after having to reschedule with the FAA due to problems on their part. I'm trying to decide whether to perform the flight portion of the practical in the complex, or to break it up in both complex & strait leg.

The strait leg has a few less things to remember, but he could ask me to perform spins (which I'm comfortable with, but not something I particularly want to perform with a Fed in the other seat.)

The complex would mean I'd only have one aircraft to memorize, opposed to two. But he can't ask spins of me in the 172RG and I could possibly get the ride done quicker. I just have done almost all complex flying in the Arrow III, so it's not a extremely familiar aircraft.

I just realize that I'm in for a beating of a oral and want the flight to be as stress free as possible for myself.

Advice is appreciated, fly safe..

TA

 

[rumpletumbler]

Ask the examiner who is giving you the ride. Most of them will just want to see the signoff.

 

[Timebuilder]

I just went back in the logbook, because I have flown so many little airplanes, and as I thought I remembered, it was a 172RG.

I did the spin endorsement in a 152 three months earlier, and I had no reason to expect to be asked to perform the spin recovery again, since the fed knew the quality of the CFI candidates he'd seen before me.

I was well prepared, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. That fed now teaches DPE class out in Oaklahoma City. Sharp guy, and good pilot.

My vote: do the complex airplane.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Ask the examiner who is giving you the ride. Most of them will just want to see the signoff.

Here you normally don't know whom it's going to be right off the bat; but it's known that one of the Feds makes everyone perform spins if in the strait leg.

 

[labbats]

I don't understand the question. You have to take your CFI ride in a complex airplane. What's all this about straight leg?

 

[Flying Illini]

Maybe you stated the reason in your first post and I just missed it, but why can't you do your ride in the Arrow III? That's the aircraft I did my ride in. The examiner just wanted to see the spin endorsement and we covered spins in the oral. Good luck!

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

do all in one, I think the fed will like that too
less of a hassle and he knows you can fly a 172
he'll do most of the flying, what they wanna see is whether or not you follow checklists and such
I don't know anyone who failed a flight portion of a CFI ride, it's mostly just a formality

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I don't understand the question. You have to take your CFI ride in a complex airplane. What's all this about straight leg?

A lot of guys do all maneuvers in the strait leg and just demonstrate a few touch and goes in the complex.

Maybe you stated the reason in your first post and I just missed it, but why can't you do your ride in the Arrow III?

I'm at a different school for my CFI.. This FBO doesn't have a Arrow.

 

[Speedtree]

I did my whole ride in an arrow II. It took about an hour. It was worth it to me not to have to switch aircraft, do two preflights, etc. The less time you spend outside in Texas in the afternoon the better. If your worried about doing the maneuvers in the complex because of the gear etc you need more practice.

The FAA in Houston began requiring stall/spin demonstrations a few years ago when they perceived a deficiency in this area so you had to actually demonstrate the maneuvers in an aircraft approved for spins. I think they also started doing all the initial CFI checkrides for this reason.

Call the examiner/Fed and ask him if he will require the spin demonstration or if he will be satisfied with the endorsement. If you have to do the spins you are up to two aircraft anyway.

Good luck.

 

[labbats]

I've never heard of an examiner asking for a spin demo myself. That's not to say it's never happened, just that I'm unfamiliar with it.

I've also never heard of anyone using a non-complex plane on the ride. If you are just using the complex for landing demos, what's the difference which plane you use for the rest of the flight? Set up a set manifold and rpm and forget it. It's more trouble than it's worth and seems unprofessional IMO.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I did my commercial up in the mountains; the day of my Commercial the density altitude on the field was 9600’. The arrow would not climb at all! I mean I’m 6’1 225, the DPE was 6’5 280 and we could only get about 200FPM in the climb so we did half in the Arrow, half in Katana.

Thanks for the advice gentlemen I think I’m going to get up in the RG with a few other CFI candidates this week and stick with the one aircraft.

Fly safe,
TA

 

[labbats]

Best of luck

 

[rchcfi]

he'll do most of the flying,

Is that the norm? 'Cause I had to fly and instruct during the whole ride. Not once did he touch the controls. And I did mine in a C172RG after 4 hours and 2 mechanical issues (missing gear door spring on the preflight and a dead mag during the run-up). Talk about exhausting.

 

[labbats]

When I flew to the airport the FSDO was at, I was on my flare when about 5-6 deer ran into the middle of the runway. I didn't have time to go around and flat spotted the tires. After 6 hours of oral exam and a 20 min lunch, we flew. He didn't touch anything, and I never stopped talking.

 

[rchcfi]

You know that's interesting. I had a relatively short oral for the ride. Granted it was right after 9/11 - when I took the oral on 9/13 beacuse we couldn't fly it was only about an hour. (and I was a numbskull and brought an expired chart to the oral....Luckily he let that go beacuse of everyone's feelings. One of the terrorists trained at my flight school) The flight was 4 days later.

 

[flyifrvfr]

I took the CFI ride in March as you know and I used a Cessna Skyhawk for the maneuvers and a Beechcraft Sierra for the landings. The examiner didn't care that I used two planes because he is used to giving the ride and this a normal thing to do.

I showed the Inspector the spin endorsement and was not asked a single question or asked to demonstrate spins. Remember that if the Inspector doesn't like your explaination of spins, he will require you to demonstrate spins. I wouldn't sweat it too much..

Don't worry too much about your oral, I would be suprised if it lasted more than 3 1/2 hours. For some reason the feds have been letting up on the CFI rides. On my flight portion of the ride I was asked to explain and demonstrate maneuvers and after doing so was told to critique and evaluate the Inspector after he performed maneuvers. Just relax and be prepared for the FOI stuff as well as the dreaded what would you do questions.

Good luck and lettuce (funny) know how you do.

 

[BoDEAN]

1

172RG

 

[CUEBOAT]

I have a question, what the heck is a straight leg?

I recommend doing the entire checkride in one airplane. I think it would be less stressful. Plus as you say you cant spin an RG so one less thing to worry about.I did my initial CFI in a twin so I wasn't worried about him asking me to recover from a spin in a Duchess. Plus Lazy 8s and 8s on pylons are easier in an airplane with a constant speed prop.

 

[flyifrvfr]

A straight leg is an airplane with down and welded gear.

 

[Cardinal]

I did my ride in two different aircraft and wouldn't recommend it. Mucho added complexity on an already brain-bending day, with little benefit. If you can execute 8s on Pylons in a Cessna, you can do it in an Arrow with minimal practice. Less to memorize, less to preflight, less paperwork, less chance of mechanical problems, less to screw up.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I appreciate the replies, thanks again.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

Is that the norm? 'Cause I had to fly and instruct during the whole ride. Not once did he touch the controls. And I did mine in a C172RG after 4 hours and 2 mechanical issues (missing gear door spring on the preflight and a dead mag during the run-up). Talk about exhausting.

I did a lazy eight and TAP for him, as well as couple of landings, maybe .3 total out of a 1.2 long ride. By far, the easiest practical and oral I've ever had.

Look, he knows your CFI won't sign you off until you're ready, and if you don't know the cloud clearences and lazy eights by now, then there's something seriously wrong

relax

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI aircraft

All my CFI students used only one aircraft; 182RGs at Riddle and Mooney MO20s at FSI. Their examiners just wanted to see the required spin signoff. I cannot remember if any of them were asked about spins during their orals.

I would use just one airplane. It's far less brain damage.

Good luck with your practical.