How did your CFII Ride Go

[Joseph II]

Can anyone give me their checkride story?
Did you cover FOI's?
How long was the oral?
Did you fly or mostly talk during the flight?
What did the flight entail?

Thanks

 

[larry]

I explained a holding pattern. Then the DE yacked for about 40 minutes. Then we did did the flight. Steep turns, A hold, VOR approach, then VFR flight back to the airport and landed.

 

[flywithastick]

About an 2 hr of talking and preplanning stuff. Taught a couple of lessons. Little on FOI. A lot on multi and instrument issues (mei/ii ride). Went out to fly.

Among engine shutdowns, holds etc, we flew three approaches as I recall, of which I bombed two throughly. BUT, I managed to do a good job of that CFI talking thing and made each into a lesson on what not to do and how to correct it.

Single engine apch and landing went well. A little too fast for his comfort, but apparently he thought it was safe enough. Almost made a taxiing mistake, but got my brain in gear soon enough to prevent a problem.

The flight entailed everything on the PTS. I flew 95% of the time. I talked 95% of the time. don't stop talking unless it's obvious the DPE wants to talk or have you shut up. They may want to demo something with the plane or just get some flying time, otherwise it's all you.

 

[flywithruss]

My CFII was probably the easiest checkride of my aviation career. It didn't hurt that the DPE who did it for me was and is a close personal friend, but he didn't cut me any slack on that.

If this is an add-on to an existing instructor rating, FOI material is not required per the PTS, since you've already been tested on it in the past. That being said, you should know it as a CFI so it is always fair game, and a good examiner will be looking for you to apply FOI principles during the ground and flight portions of the ride, even if you're not questioned specifically on them.

My ride was straightforward. The DPE advised me well in advance that I was expected to teach holding patterns and magnetic compass errors during my oral. On the flight, I flew a GPS approach, circled to a touch-and-go, then shot an ILS to a full stop. I did most of my own flying ... the DPE took the airplane so I could brief approaches, etc. I know of some DPEs, though, that will do most of the flying and leave the applicant to teach ... just depends on the particular taste of your examiner.

I do recommend that, if possible, you talk to some other people who have done CFIIs with this examiner to get feedback on their "typical" ride. That can be very helpful in preparation.

Good luck!

R

 

[Timebuilder]

Since I don't want to seach for my old post on this, I'll summarize it for you.

The PTS says that the examiner need not go over the FOI material. I failed to refresh that material in my study prep for the II since I was going to the same FAA examiner who was so impressed with my initial CFI work. In short, he did want to ask about ALL of the FOI material.

Instead of rescheduling with that examiner, I went to the local DPE for the retest, and did just fine. He did most of the flying, and I taught continuously. I went back to him for the MEI, and did equally well. When I showed up for the MEI, the DPE was being observed by the FAA examiner who had squashed me for the II ride!!!

No problem, though. I asked him if he wanted the DPE to ask me about FOI material, and the FAA guy just smiled.....