Originally Posted by
Redbaron63
I understand that many in the instructor community and the FAA examiners discourage getting the MEI prior to the CFI. With that understanding is it possible to obtain an MEI first without red flagging the FAA examiner? I heard that they hate doing this and look to fail people who take this route.
I will probably not instruct as an MEI for a while, but since right now I am on the top of my game with Multi Comm., I wonder if it would be a good idea, since I am "in the neighborhood". I want the rating, but am not ready or have the time to instruct MEI - at present. In reality, I will eventually do the CFI but much later on.
Thanks
What I have found is that most FSDO's want students to go the traditional route (CFI ---> CFI-I ----> MEI). At my school, we have done CFI, CFI-I, and MEI as initials. They told me 6 months ago that they would no longer do CFI-I as initials. But they are fine with either the CFI or MEI. I will say that the students who went the MEI route had a far more difficult oral, especially dealing with aerodynamics. But they have all gotten through (100% pass rate with the KC FSDO!).
Michael