Originally Posted by Grumble

As far as the oral goes... I did mine at the MCO FSDO, notorious for 6+ hour orals. We were done in under two. When all was said and done I asked why I had heard all the horror stories for mind numbing oral exams. The inspectors basic explination is that most CFI applicants are hair triggered to give lengthy technical answer, which just digs their own grave. Pretend like you're talking to a 5th grader. When they ask "what is a stall" answer with "the point at which the wings stops producing enough lift." If you get into boundary layer seperation, critical AOA, etc you open yourself up to follow on questions. Bottom line, your answer should be very basic, and not create any other questions, but at the same time give a complete answer. When you're driving around town, ask yourself questions you think they may ask in the oral, and then answer them. Then go back and think about your answer. Are there more questions that could be asked from my answer? "What is p-factor?" The left turning tendancy created from the decending blade creating more lift than the acending blade. Asked and answered... if he wants to go further then yeah, you'll have to explain why, through AOA, etc., but the bottom line is you gave an answer anyone would understand.