Voski

Hey everyone,

I am in a bit of a conundrum at the moment. I currently possess a helicopter CFI/CFII certificate that I received from the FAA through military competency (§61.73(g)). Given that it was my initial flight instructor certificate, all FAR Part 61 regulations governing 'additional flight instructor category/class ratings' would be applicable.

And here within lies the dilemma: I am supposed to take a checkride for the MEI 'add-on' to my instructor certificate this month, but because I do not possess logbook endorsements for my initial CFI (again, my initial was through mil comp), my DPE wants to see all the initial endorsements written up as though my MEI were my 'initial.' Moreover, to complicate matters, he wants my 'initial CFI endorsement' from a 2-year CFI (§61.195(h)) -- though this is not an initial since I already possess a CFI/CFII and my current instructor has had his CFI for less than 3 months. I'd switch to a different MEI to simplify matters for the checkride, except there aren't any 24-month or greater MEIs at my school.

My DPE insisted that this is a gray area and to get all the endorsements "just to be safe," but my gut instinct is that I'm fine. He wasn't entirely sure on whether I needed the endorsements, other local DPEs, and the FSDO do not have an answer as of yet either.

What am I missing here? Shouldn't I be fine to receive all required endorsements for a category & class CFI add-on rating without possessing 'initial' endorsements since I possess a helicopter CFI/CFII earned from military competency? I'm looking for a reference to clarify this once and for all.

V