Starting CFI training, advice

[hydroflyer]

Another recommendation would be to see if you can ride along in the back seat of other instructional flights to observe the whole process. You will be amazed and what you will learn, it is obviously very realistic, and maybe you can even help out with the critique some. Of course this will only work with the students and instructors permission, but we did try this some at my old flight school and it seemed to help out the instructors and students.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
I'm curious about where that one guy had a bad experience with the DPE in FLL? I did my initial CFI and my CFII with a DPE that operates out of the Ft. Lauderdale Jet Center. He was very fair and straightfoward. If you came prepared, you had no worries. I've heard nothing but horror stories about some FSDOs, but I don't know a whole lot about Olando. I do know that they do more initial CFI rides than just about any other FSDO due to the high concentration of flight training in the area.
Here is a little advice though if you are going to the FSDO in Orlando: Go to their website and take a look at the Initial CFI "Special Emphisis" program. This has a lot of good gouge on what they frequently issue a pink slip for. Also, I understand that they offer a CFI Special Emphisis class every month. As they say; forewarned is forearmed when it comes to the FAA.
I don't know what is the better route to take; Pt 91 or Pt 141. It all depends on the luck of the draw on who your instructor is. I went through ALL ATPS "Total CFI" program, and I earned all three ratings CFI/CFII/MEI in two weeks. It is a Part 91 program and it is like trying to drink through a firehouse at times, but it can be done. Their track record is proof of this. It really helped that I went right from the Comm-ME add-on training to the CFI program the week before. Also, it's all done in a twin save 5 hours in the C-172 for spin endorsement and a review of Commercial maneuvers.
I read in oyur post that you have aquired all the FAA pubs and the PTS. This is VERY important! The FAA (FSDO types) and DPE's don't care about anything but the publications and Advisory Circulars in the PTS for the rating you seek. In fact, all the stuff that ASA, Sporty's, etc... are basically taken from the FAA publications and re-written in a different format.
One last comment on the FOI. At first glance it seems like a lot of pyscho-babble, but it is quite valid. I discovered that during the first hour of dual given, and even more so over the last couple of months. The Flight Instructor's Handbook is essential reading for aspiring and current instructors. Best of luck in your quest, and I think that you'll find that teaching flight is one of the most rewarding, though-provoking and humbling experiences you'll have in your flying career.

Regards,

ex-Navy rotorhead

 

[El Cid Av8or]

The advice to know the FOI cold is great advice. If you do your II at the FSDO, even with the same inspector, then review that FOI material before you go back.

That's exactly what I have heard from more than one CFI that has gone the FSDO route for the checkrides. I just need to find a way to make the FOI stuff "technical"

 

[Timebuilder]

You might try making some flash cards.

 

[El Cid Av8or]

You might try making some flash cards.

Already in progress. It sure is a lot easier to look at them while waiting for the traffic lights to turn green on the way to and from the airport. I'm one of those people that does really great with the technical stuff but occasionally needs some minor brain surgery to learn the non-technical stuff.

Tailwinds...

 

[tarp]

OK, it's been 14 years, let's see how well rote worked:

PEMA (Pronounced "pee-ma")
Purposeful
Experience
Multi-faceted
Active

REEPIR (pronounced like the grim reaper)
Readiness
Exercise
Effect
Primacy
Intensity
Recency

PIM
Perceptions
Insights
Motivation

RUAC (pronounced "roo-ack")
Rote
Understanding
Application
Correlation

and Maslow was (FSS'es):
Food, Safety, Social, Ego and Self-fulfillment.

Once I had the words, I could conceptually explain all of the first 30 pages of the FOI. It semed sinful to use Rote when I could Correlate so well - but the FAA had to use all those precise Psychological terms.

The stuff all seems like gobbledygook until you actually get in the cockpit with a brand new student and you realize that all your knowledge about systems and aerodynamics and airspace rules aren't worth diddly because the person next to you is worried about personal safety (am I going to die, today?) and the readiness thing is basically thrown out the window. Your job is not to teach anything even remotely close to the workings of the airplane - your job is to show the student that an airplane can be taken off the ground by a mere mortal being, flown around very carefully and returned to earth in some magical way. The only process is "effect". In the second lesson (where they are not worried about dying), you can gently introduce your primary (primacy) lessons - where they may actually watch what you are doing on the preflight, etc. etc. I use FOI every time I fly as a CFI.

Too many folks poo-poo this stuff as hard and a pain in the butt. I find that it is the lifeblood to my side business as a freelance instructor. My customers know I take care of them and I create lesson plans around their personalities - it always amazes me that I have a waiting list of clients who have my name through word of mouth reputation while a lot of CFI's sit around at my home airport looking for customers to walk through the door.

Enjoy

 

[bobbysamd]

FOI

Good post, Tarp. Amen to everything you said.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the lone voice in the wilderness who preaches the importance of the FOI. The FOI is a flight instructor's way of life. Only memorizing it enough to pass your CFI orals is to give it short shrift. It deserves much more study than that.

Be sure to read the sections on "Aviation Instructor as Practical Psychologist."

Good luck with your CFI training.

 

[wxman]

CFI Instruction

I am an experienced CFI/CFII/MEI, and was reading through the posts on this thread. A couple of thoughts that I'd like to offer:

1. By the time you start work on your CFI, you already know how to fly and do the maneuvers. It is the ground instruction that is highly important.

2. An experienced instructor can help a lot in learning good ways to present material and identifying common training problems. This instructor would be very helpful as a mentor once you get your CFI, and would certainly be helpful in getting it.

3. The FAA has always wanted to do most of the initial CFIs. Due to a lack of manpower, they are willing to let some DE's do some initial CFI's. What DE's get to do the checks is highly political. There may be someone in your area who is qualified to the checkride, but, because of politics, you may end up having to travel a couple of hundred miles to someone else. The FSDO will tell you who you can do the checkride with, then you call and make the arrangements with that person.

4. The Initial CFI is a tough and thorough checkride... as it should be. Don't take it too lightly, and get some good ground instruction from a qualified instructor.

Good Luck!

 

[Typhoon1244]

...I'm starting my CFI training monday. Anyone got any suggestions...

Start drinking lots of coffee.

Buy some hair dye in whatever your natural color is. Trust me.

Get some fabric earphone covers for your headset...especially in Florida! Along the same lines, keep a stick of RightGuard in your flight bag.

The most important feature of any lesson plan is flexibility! No two students are alike. (Sometimes, no one student is alike during the week!)

Take all your dreams of being a big airplane pilot, stuff them in a bag, and hide them in the back of your closet. Don't throw them away, just put them where they won't distract you from the most important thing: the student.

Hang in there, and good luck.

 

[scubabri]

Does anyone have FOI flash cards?

Brian