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Old 12-02-2008, 06:25 AM
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toolman04
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Joined APC: Oct 2007
Posts: 17
Default Military Competency CFI

I'm curious as to what the thoughts are out there amongst current CFI's on the nearly approved military competency for the CFI certificate. The basics, and I know I'm not getting into all of the details, are that military IP's can test for the CFI certificate by taking the FOI/FIA/FII for about $100. No checkride, no lesson plan binders, etc. Just like with the commercial competency tests, I think it's a good idea, but feel there are some gaps to fill in the way of having military IP's instruct primary students. I would imagine a short class and checkride would educate those who grew up solely in the "military pipeline" on those few items that they never touched on, but that their students would be required to know (not to mention some regulatory differences between military and civilian flying...airspeeds, VFR mins, commercial operations, etc). I was trained by all military IP's and benefitted greatly from this. However, each of them had to put in the time to make the binders, do the groundschool, take the checkride, etc (though some of it could be considered quite a haze for a veteran IP). Obviously, it's not a matter of skill, it's a matter of prepping the student appropriately for flying in the civilian world. I guess a long-shot comparison would be asking a civilian CFI to instruct military flyers for their checkride with no additional prep other than taking a "civilian competency test." While we could all teach one how to fly an airplane, that doesn't mean would would be familiar with all the military regs (unless included in the study prep, of course), and most wouldn't do well at teaching tactical flying (formation, VR's/IR's, aerial refueling, etc). Anyways, just curious as to why there isn't a short transition course in the works or if anyone thinks that would even be a good idea. Thoughts?
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