Originally Posted by
Chris
...Wow, I wasn't aware that DPE's could give a CFI initial checkride. I know that some part 141 schools have their own DE's that may be able to administer the CFI initial ride; however, the FAA, like any other ride, can have an inspector oversee the whole thing if they want. The examiner I've used is only able to do the double-I and MEI rides..
Yes. In some FSDO's. It's up to the local DPE supervisor at the FSDO and the FSDO manager as whether or not to authorize DPE's to conduct FI initial's. It's usually based on the amount of activity in their area. For example, in the Orlando FSDO due to the extreme volume of flight training, many of the DPE's are authorized and the FSDO inspectors themselves do very few checkrides. Each DPE is authorized to various levels of checkrides depending on their experience.
Originally Posted by
Chris
If the national average for pass/fail is 50/50, that's a lot better than what I've expected.. Atlanta's FSDO for instance, I've heard 17% pass rate. It'd be interesting to see a list of the pass:fail ration by FSDO.
Yes, I've heard this too. The FSDO's are left with certain discretion regarding how they run their FI certification programs. For example, the Orlando FSDO has a "CFI Emphasis Program" that adds a level of difficulty and expectation to the process. But it also helps standardize the expectations and checkrides.
North Florida FSDO-Certificated Flight Instructor Special Emphasis Program
Originally Posted by
Chris
If your oral was 7 hours, I'm guessing a lot of that time is spent with you talking and not much of a Q&A session.. I guess it's easy for time to go by if the examiner is a "zero time student."
No. It was both. I gave lesson plans in the morning and was quizzed by the examiner playing the role of a student and also being an examiner. The afternoon was a wide ranging discussion within the framework of the PTS over many areas, reviewing most of my lesson plans, and lastly focusing back in on the maneuver lesson.
The flight instructor initial should be tough. It should take a lot of work and preparation. I used to hire a lot of CFI's. We knew who the "CFI mill schools" were. When I'd see one on a resume I would ask to see their prepared lesson plans. When I got the "blank stare" from the candidate the interview would only last a few more minutes. Take the time to do it right. It doesn't cost you any money to spend a month of evenings writing and preparing your lesson plans and driving your knowledge to the deep level required. It'll make you confident for the checkride, impress your examiner, show in your work as a CFI, and make you a much better instructor/pilot. It's a large step from Commercial to Flight Instructor. Don't take shortcuts.