Scheduling initial CFI ride

[cale42]

I am looking for some advice on how to speed up the scheduling of a CFI initial ride. As required, when I got my sign off on Tuesday (July 27) I called the FSDO. They assigned me an inspector, who was of course out of the office, but that guy called me back the next day (July 28) and said the first availability he had was August 25th. I said that was absurd, I'm ready to go, so they assigned me a new inspector. Well he finally called me back yesterday(July 30) and said his first availability was August 17th. I think this is still ridiculous.

Now as anyone can attest the DPA FSDO is ALWAYS backed up like this. I have heard there is some sort of rule saying that if the FSDO can't accomodate you in a certain time period they have to assign you an examiner. Does anyone know what this rule is and where it is written so I can play that hand. I don't want to wait a month for my ride.. AND this FSDO is notorious for failing 80-90% of first time applicants.. so I certainly don't want to wait another month for my retest.

Any and all thoughts on this subject are welcome

cale

 

[Propsync]

Heh, good ol' DPA FSDO. Gotta love it. I'd look around on the web for DPE's in other parts of IL, WI, even IA. The DSM FSDO changed up about gee, 7-8 years ago. They don't do any initial CFI rides. I can't even remember the guys name, but I did my ride in Boone, IA, which is a hike from DPA. But, if you want to get your ride in. I don't know what DPA FSDO thinks they are doing keeping all of the initial rides themselves. It's more of a disservice if someone who is ready has to wait another month. On the other hand, the FSDO ride is free, where a DPE could be as much as 200 bucks. So, if you really want to get it done, like so many other things in this crazy business- You'll have to pay for it.

 

[cale42]

I could care less who I take it with, and while not paying would be nice I'll pony up the money to get it done. I already know the examiners in the area that are qualified to do initial rides, but until the FSDO releases me to one of them I have no options.

Oh and I'm not sure how long ago you did your ride, but DPE's in Chicago are getting 400-450 for an initial ride. Welcome to the big city.

 

[JetBlast2000]

That's the FAA for ya. What your saying sounds about right. We had an agreement (our flight school that is) which said that if we could not get a student scheduled within 2 weeks of the request, we could use a DE. This gave us a little flexibility. Besides, no one wanted to go with the FAA. And yes the failure rate is upwards of 80%. Know your FOI. Good luck
JB2k

 

[Propsync]

Wow, that's impressive. 400 bucks for a checkride. Yeah, I know mine was a while ago and in Iowa, but geez. I didn't realize the FSDO has to approve you to go somewhere else. It's a darn shame.

 

[sweptback]

I did my CFI initial at the SBN FSDO. Depending on where you're at near DPA it may or may not be a hike. Good people there, and while it was a tough ride I thought it was fair. You may want to give them a try if you can't get in with a DPE... they got me in pretty quick although it was several years ago.

 

[pilotman2105]

If it's not too far for you to go, try MSP FSDO. I got an examiner instead of an inspector. Cost me $275.

Otherwise, bite the bullet? You could be an a$$ and try to talk to the head guy at the FSDO and see if they can pull any strings.

 

[Iceman21]

Cale,

Good luck on the ride. I know where you are from and you know me but I cannot place who you are. Who are you taking the ride with? I may be able to get a gouge for you.

Secondly, there is no speeding the process up, unless you go to a different FSDO. Plain and simple. You are at the whim of those guys over at DPA. I could get you in touch with a person from MSN if you wanted me to.

 

[Dan CFI/CFII]

It sure sounds like you are pretty much forced to wait, and I know how frustrating that can be. And I don't mean to sound cold and unreceptive to your plight, but deal with it man. Worse things have happened...

When I initially called to schedule my initial CFI, the earliest they could work me in was 6 weeks distant. When that day rolled around--I got stood up by the feds. I got ahold of them by mid-morning, and they had simply forgotten about my checkride. Of course they considered too much of the day to be used up, and told me that I would have to make another appointment. Again, the nearest one was about 7 weeks future. I figured that it was only fair that due to their mistake that I should be allowed to take my ride with a DPE--but had no luck. I certaintly considered flying to another district to get it done quicker.

I decided to stop worrying about it and so I put my pack on my back and headed into the wilderness. That trip is still one of the best times of my life, even if the horseflies that year were absolutely awful.

I finally got my checkride, having waited 13 weeks from the first time I called to schedule it. It didn't really hurt me in the long run. If you are ready for a checkride now, why can't you be ready for one in a few weeks? If you have a job lined up (I did), will it not exist for you in a few weeks?

I have been accused of being overly patient (I don't see how one can overdo a virtue however). I'm sure everyone I fly with is chafing every time I say "I'll wait another couple minutes to get our request in, I'm sure he's busy."

Dan

PS-the day I was stood up by the feds happened to be my birthday. My 21st birthday. I didn't have even a single beer that day. Like I said, worse things have happened. And worse things will happen. If the worst thing that happens with you and a FSDO is that your checkride takes longer to get than you hoped, consider yourself lucky. I know I did :>

 

[flyifrvfr]

I would very nicely tell the Inspector that you know that he is busy and that you wouldn't mind if a DPE provides the ride. Good Luck!