Initial CFI Checkride

[say again]

RELAX!!!!!!! That is the best advice to give. At this point, if you do not know the material your best bet is to postpone the "ride". You are psyching yourself out by thinking of every little detail possible. There's no need to give yourself a heart attack before your ride, that is what the students are for. So just relax, I'm sure you know the material, and enjoy the experience. If for some reason you not happen to pass, do some extra training, and ace it the second time!!!! The best of luck to ya!!!!!:beer:

 

[kneeshoe]

RELAX!!!!!!! That is the best advice to give. At this point, if you do not know the material your best bet is to postpone the "ride".

You're right, I really do need to just relax. The more I keep studying, the more questions I come up with, and the less I think I actually know. I've already had the checkride postponed twice (not by choice), but each time it happens I have a sigh of relief. But if anyone has an answer to the last question I posted, I'm still a little confused. Thanks for the responses everyone!

 

[say again]

I came across another question in studying for my checkride. Here it is:

I got a first class medical in January of 2004 (under age 40). Say I pass the checkride on Friday; can I act as a CFI as soon as I finish, or do I have to go get myself a first or second class medical?

According to my flight instructor buddy, you should be just fine with a 3rd class medical. It's been 4 years since I've instructed, and I can't even remember my flights for today. Hope it helps, and if I'm wrong (actually my buddy would be), I apologize!!!!

 

[kneeshoe]

I got a first class medical in January of 2004 (under age 40). Say I pass the checkride on Friday; can I act as a CFI as soon as I finish, or do I have to go get myself a first or second class medical?

People have told me that yes, I can instruct, but I found something else. 61.23 (a)(2) says, "Must hold at least a second-class medical certificate when exercising the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate." Part 119.1(e)(1) says that a commerical pilot can conduct "student instruction"

Anyone have any other interpretations?

 

[schoolio]

When do you need a medical as a CFI?

14 CFR 61.23

(a) Operations requiring a medical certificate. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a person--
(3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate -
(iv) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate, except for a flight instructor certificate with a glider category rating or sport pilot rating, if the person is acting as pilot in command or is serving as a required flight crewmember

(b) Operations not requiring a medical certificate. A person is not required to hold a valid medical certificate--
(5) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate if the person is not acting as pilot in command or serving as a required pilot flight crewmember

How long is it valid?

(d) Duration of a medical certificate.
(1) A first-class medical certificate expires at the end of the last day of -
(iii) The period specified in paragraph (d)(3) of this section for operations requiring a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), or a student pilot certificate.

(3) A third-class medical certificate for operations requiring a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), or a student pilot certificate issued -
(i) Before September 16, 1996, expires at the end of the 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the certificate; or
(ii) On or after September 16, 1996, expires at the end of:
(A) The 36th month after the month of the date of the examination shown on the certificate if the person has not reached his or her 40th birthday on or before the date of examination; or
(B) The 24th month after the month of the date of the examination shown on the certificate if the person has reached his or her 40th birthday on or before the date of the examination.

So, to summarize:

To be a CFI and act as PIC - third class medical or medical certificate that allows you to exercise third class privileges.

To be a CFI and not act as PIC (i.e. teaching a commercial student in an aircraft in which he is already rated, he is PIC) - no medical required.

First class medical is good for third class privileges for 36 calendar months.

To answer your question:

Yes, you can act as a CFI as soon as you pass your checkride. But you better know Part 61 if you want to pass the checkride.

 

[kneeshoe]

Thanks Schoolio for the detailed explanation, makes sense now.

 

[kneeshoe]

Busted

FOI. Drilled me for 3 hours on just the FOI until he decided to bust me. It was pretty rough. I thought I knew it well until he proved me otherwise.

 

[schoolio]

Sorry to hear it. Good luck next time.

 

[Almerick07]

they gotta keep their 80% fail rate quota....takes most everyone 2 tries, just keep plugging away.

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

FOI. Drilled me for 3 hours on just the FOI until he decided to bust me. It was pretty rough. I thought I knew it well until he proved me otherwise.

Crap that is my weakest area. What in detail was he drilling you on?

 

[BYUFlyr]

FOI. Drilled me for 3 hours on just the FOI until he decided to bust me. It was pretty rough. I thought I knew it well until he proved me otherwise.

Sorry to hear.... I got my AGI before my CFI initial (piece of cake, just take two writtens instead of one)... that way he wouldn't drill me with FOI's. He didn't even ask me a single FOI question during the oral.

Wish I would've known of your situation before he drilled you....

 

[schoolio]

Yeah, I'm about to go down to the FSDO to get my AGI. Took the written already, now just a matter of filling out the 8710. I'll still probably get asked FOI questions tho. These guys have a routine they like to follow.

 

[Checks]

clue me in because i havent been able to figure it out yet...if you have a CFI why would you get an AGI?

 

[schoolio]

clue me in because i havent been able to figure it out yet...if you have a CFI why would you get an AGI?

First off, because it only requires you to take an additional knowledge test, which is the exact same test as the Flight Instructor - Airplane (plus one or two additional questions, all of which can be found in the Gleim book). In other words, if it's so easy to do, why not do it?

Second, if you ever have/had a desire to become a Gold Seal CFI, you need the AGI as well.

AC 61-65D
Paragraph 18 - Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificates

a. The flight instructor must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (glider flight instructors need not hold an instrument rating) or an ATP certificate;
b. The flight instructor must hold a ground instructor certificate with an advanced or instrument ground instructor rating; and
c. The flight instructor must have accomplished the following within the previous 24 months:
(1) Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for a practical test, at least 8 of whom passed their tests on the first attempt;
(2) Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a designated pilot examiner, or graduation tests as chief instructor of a 14 CFR part 141 approved pilot school course; or
(3) A combination of the above requirements. (Two practical tests conducted equal the credit given for one applicant trained and recommended for a practical test.)

I don't know if it opens up any type of employment doors, but it certainly can't look bad on a resume, ya know?

Oh yeah, there's also no regulation requiring ground instructors to keep records of endorsements (for knowledge tests) for three years, as there is for flight instructors. So theoretically, you could give an endorsement for a knowledge test using your AGI certificate # and not maintain records. Not that I would do that, but it's possible.

 

[Airline Driver]

I came across another question in studying for my checkride. Here it is:

I got a first class medical in January of 2004 (under age 40). Say I pass the checkride on Friday; can I act as a CFI as soon as I finish, or do I have to go get myself a first or second class medical?

If you got your 1ST class Medical January 2004, then it turned to a second class medical on July 31st 2004 and then a 3rd class medical Feb 1st 2005. As of now you cannot use your commercial license let alone a CFI because you only have a 3rd class medical. It's almost 2006. You might want to go get a new medial before you go take your check ride.. I am not positive and it has been 15 years since my initial CFI ride, but I believe you need at least a second class medical to take the ride. In the airlines when we take our yearly check rides, First officers need a second class, and Captains need to have a current first class medical. When you take your ATP ride you definitely need a 1ST class medical

You might want to review that in the FAR'S before going to your check ride. I can almost grantee you will be asked that on your oral. Know your limitations as a CFI, as far as what you can & cannot do. I Also recommend that you dress professionally. Nice slacks, dress shirt, Tie & shoes. You will represent yourself better!!

If by chance you are asked a question and don't know the answerer, don't lie and try to fumble your way through the answerer. Simply state "I am not quite sure of that answerer, I am going to have to look that up" In real life that is what you would do anyway. Be sure you know exactly where to go, & quickly look it up. Or ask if you can quickly look it up. That might be one of the tests the examiner is giving you without you knowing it. To make sure you know where to look things up when you don't know the answerer. The examiner knows your not going to know everything. Just be sure you know the core stuff you should know. On a final note, When the examiner is talking, let him/her talk, and keep quite. They might be teaching you something.

It's normal to be nervous!

Good luck!!