Initial CFI syllabus

[GAcfi]

Would you fine people have any initial CFI -airplane syllabus' that you could send for my training, or know of any websites that list a syllabus. I know that the PTS is a good reference but I would really like something structured to give to the instructor.

A CFI at my local airport has agreed to take me on as a cfi candidate. He normally doesn't take on CFI candidates so that is why I'm trying to get a schedule of our lessons together. This instructor was also my commercial instructor. I'm a member of a flying club so I have a plane to use at this airport for training. This will help on costs and at this time, that is really important. I also have a full time job and at this time getting two weeks off in a row isn't an option for the accelerated schools.

Any helpful hints on what I could be doing on my own to prepare for this? My commercial was in January so I'm fairly current. Please PM or just post. Kind regards.

 

[JAFI]

You may want to start here.


http://pages.prodigy.net/jedinein/cfi.html

 

[minitour]

I know that the PTS is a good reference but I would really like something structured to give to the instructor.

Call me crazy, but shouldn't the instructor be giving you a syllabus for the "program"?

Or do you mean like, "lesson plans" that he wants you to teach to him?

-mini

 

[labbats]

I'd suggest finding someone who just completed the CFI to give you all their lesson plans. Photocopy them.

As for lessons, just study the PTS and that's about it. The flying is the easy part, it's only transferring what you just did in the commercial to the left seat. Should only take 5-10 hours tops. The hard part is the studying. I studied nonstop for three weeks. I just took the PTS and made it into flashcards. Then made sure I could describe the flashcards in sufficient detail to pass.

 

[GAcfi]

Call me crazy, but shouldn't the instructor be giving you a syllabus for the "program"?

Or do you mean like, "lesson plans" that he wants you to teach to him?

-mini

No, you are correct about me looking for our syllabus (I'm sure he has one in mind, I hope). I have my doubts about doing it at the local airport, and I am worried, however the instructor has given 2500 hours dual and has great confidence in my ability. He is an awesome guy. I guess I'm looking for a more structured approach, however I'm sure monday when we have our first CFI lesson together, I will be able to tell if I'm going to like this way of doing things. I wanted to go the ATP route, but I just don't have the money or the time. He was correct about me on the Commercial, I did just fine. I'm sure it will work out in the end. Any CFI's that went the non 141 route and used the local FBO or weekend instructor for the initial CFI, please PM. I would like your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[jspilot]

Jeppesen has a good one, but it will cost money

 

[labbats]

I'd suggest finding someone who just completed the CFI to give you all their lesson plans. Photocopy them.

As for lessons, just study the PTS and that's about it. The flying is the easy part, it's only transferring what you just did in the commercial to the left seat. Should only take 5-10 hours tops. The hard part is the studying. I studied nonstop for three weeks. I just took the PTS and made it into flashcards. Then made sure I could describe the flashcards in sufficient detail to pass.

This is from teaching myself under part 61. The guy I flew with was new and not much help. He just sat in the right seat for 5 hours and got paid.

 

[dkelly]

Hello, not really a syllabus but a site that has a lot of useful CFI information is www.thecfi.com. I found if very useful during my planning.

 

[GAcfi]

Just an update. Started the training on monday and my head is spinning (and we haven't even done the spin training yet). Did everyone feel overwhelmed at the amount of knowledge you are expected to know? I thought I was well prepared!

I would appreciate any gouge on the CFI checkride. I would really like info from anyone that did it through the ATL FSDO. Please post or PM. Thanks!

 

[aucfi]

the ride

First things first. YES, it is a lot of information to know. Thing is, you should know 80% (give or take 20% haha) of it if not more from your commercial training/checkride. You will learn what you do not know throughout your studying/training but what you are MAINLY learning is how to teach both in the air and on the ground.



My checkride was by the book. Arrived at 9AM, paperwork till 9:30AM, and oral officially began at 9:31AM. We started off with some very basic/general questions about the FOI. "Explain the 4 levels of learning and give examples of each." This was the extent of the FOI and took 10 minutes max.



After the FOI was finished the maintenance inspector took us outside to go over some items on the aircraft that were not technically illegal but could/should require some TLC (door hinge wear and a few "bleeding rivots"). The inspector asked a few questions about the systems and had me explain them (prop, governor, gear, the usual complex stuff). After that, back inside to do some good ol teaching.



My inspector was notorious for asking questions regarding aerodynamics. We spent roughly 20 minutes discussing what would happen if a perfectly trimmed airplane cruising at X knots at X altitude suddenly lost power. What would it do if there was NO imput from the pilot? Why? This opened Pandora’s Box regarding stability, left turning tendencies, and elevator trim.



After that, we dove into maneuvers. First was turns around a point followed by S-Turns. Nothing out of the ordinary with these, just remember, faster groundspeed requires steeper angle of bank. (my CFI instructor failed her initial for not stating that during her checkride so its kind of burned into my head hehe) Went over a Chandelle and that was it for the maneuvers.



After the ground reference and about 2 hours into the oral, we talked briefly about cross country planning. Just simple questions like what is a true course and what are isogonic lines. I had to use and explain how to find the wind correction angle and ground speed on the E6B.



Low and behold, after a mere 2.4 hours of actual question and answers, the oral portion was complete.



As far as the flight is concerned, it was one of the easiest I have ever done. I did more listening than teaching in the airplane. Albeit I did have to demonstrate my abilities and all, but the inspector got his share of stick time in showing me some cool things. (Dutch rolls anyone?)



Overall, the CFI checkride is not a walk in the park but it’s not as bad as the impression I had of it. I’ve heard the horror stories of the eight hour oral and the multiple attempts to pass, but they are rare. My CFI ground class had 4 students including me and all of us passed on the first try.



Hope this was informative.



AU

ps. I sent my lesson plans to your email. Sorry for the delay