CAP Talk

Operations => Aviation & Flying Activities => Topic started by: Flying Pig on April 29, 2010, 10:45:06 PM

Title: CFI-CFII Checkrides
Post by: Flying Pig on April 29, 2010, 10:45:06 PM
Talk to me about your CFI-A and CFII-A checkrides.  Horror stories, lessons learned, things you would suggest, yada yada

I believe the FSDO here allows DPEs to give the initial CFI ride.  Anyone in CAWG interested in being my DPE using a 2002 Turbo 206?
Title: Re: CFI-CFII Checkrides
Post by: DG on April 30, 2010, 04:39:16 PM
Quote from: Flying Pig on April 29, 2010, 10:45:06 PM
Talk to me about your CFI-A and CFII-A checkrides.  Horror stories, lessons learned, things you would suggest, yada yada

I believe the FSDO here allows DPEs to give the initial CFI ride.  Anyone in CAWG interested in being my DPE using a 2002 Turbo 206?

Rob,

If your FSDO allows a Designated to do the check ride for the initial CFI, then consider yourself very lucky.

The Allentown FSDO (PA) insists on doing all initial CFI flight examinations.

The pass rate is 5% - 7%.  (about 1 in 20)

(BTW, I passed on the first attempt.)

My buddy was turned away three times and ended up going to the Harrisburg FSDO.

Others work hard to be allowed to go to the Philadelphia FSDO.

Going to another FSDO takes finesse and cunning, because you are supposed to go to the FSDO having jurisdiction over your home airport.
Title: Re: CFI-CFII Checkrides
Post by: bosshawk on April 30, 2010, 04:47:29 PM
He is in trouble: his nearest FSDO is about 50 yds down the ramp from the Sheriff's hangar.
Title: Re: CFI-CFII Checkrides
Post by: Thrashed on April 30, 2010, 08:12:51 PM
I did my initial CFI ride with the FAA at OAK FSDO.  It was around 1988, so I won't go into detail.  Too long ago. It was an all day ride: 1/2 day oral and 1/2 day flight. I passed, but he thought I was a little weak in the oral.  We spent at least an hour just on altimetry.  I only know enough about that to talk about 15 minutes. I can't think of any checkride or postition that would require the knowledge of altimetry that we covered.

I'd rather pay the $400 for a DPE than spend one minute with the FAA.   ;D
Title: Re: CFI-CFII Checkrides
Post by: cachambliss on May 04, 2010, 08:03:46 PM
Spent about 4 hours on the oral Q&A, then broke for lunch and just talked flying.  Then spent another hour on lesson plans, development and me "teaching" the lesson followed by more Q&A.  Capped off the day with 2.5 in the airplane and it was a mix of me fly-he critique, he fly-me critique, and me show & teach the lesson.  Back on the ground and another hour on debrief.  A full day.  It was intense, stressful, educational, and even a bit enjoyable-(Kinda like the relief you feel after having a bad tooth pulled). 
Take everything you own that is referenced in the Recreational/Private/Commercial PTS. and know where to find stuff.  (Poor show to look for weight & balance information in the AIM).  You will not know everything and he/she will be interested in how well you know where information is located. 
Don't forget a 'toy'  airplane and small post-its to be used for control surfaces.   
Be on time (if not early), be organized, be polite and professional. 

Google the Orlando Fl FSDO, they have a "cheat sheet" of problem areas they see on initial CFI exams.  Download the sheet and carefully review the areas the note.  (In any one year the Orlando FSDO does more initial CFI exams than the next 5 FSDO's combined).  Their CFI Special Emphasis data is sent to all FSDO's and I would not be surprised if your examiner pulled out a copy to show you at some point.

If I were asked for advice, I would say:
Consider each answer carefully.  Make sure you really understand the question, and then provide the answer in as few words as possible.
Don't try to talk your way out of anything.  If (when) you goof, admit the goof and either start over or check the books. 

Good Luck.
Title: Re: CFI-CFII Checkrides
Post by: Flying Pig on May 23, 2010, 01:15:10 AM
Has anyone used this?


http://www.kingschools.com/productDetail.asp?itemNo=KFD%20FVCHCDVDK
Title: Re: CFI-CFII Checkrides
Post by: cachambliss on May 23, 2010, 02:44:43 AM
Generally do not care for the Kings.  In many ways they try to teach the test but in my opinion do a poor job of teaching the background material.  Sporty's courses are far better.  This of course is my opinion and other may disagree.  I just don't care for the Kings.

However, I woule encourage you to actually build up your library of all the references contined in the various PTS's and take the time to read them, make notes, know the types of information contained in each reference and how to find it.  I would hope that when you Aactually start teaching these references will form the conorstone of your lesson plans.

Also, google the Orlando, FL FSDO and their Special emphasis areas of CFI Applicant deficiencies. 

Also, enroll or audit one of the on line FIRC courses.  Subject matter contained is FAA special emphasis areas.  I think the AOPA/ASF_Jeppsen course is the best, but other folks feel differently.  However the basic subject matter will be the same differing only in the presentation.