CFI Training - Where to start?
 

Hey all,

Hoping to get a little guidance here from some CFIs. I'm about to start my CFI training (pt 61) here in the next week, but I want to get a head start with as much as I can before I meet with my instructor. I've got all my written exams done (CFIA, FOI, CFII) as well as my spin training endorsement, so from this point I guess it's mostly self study and checkride prep. I know I'll need to get some time getting used to the right seat and teaching from it in the plane I'll be using for the checkride and I'll be doing that once I start flying with my instructor next week (same CFI and plane I used for my initial commercial single, so that's nice), so I guess my question is, what should I start studying and reading over now to get ready? I know the FAA has a free Aviation Instructors Handbook and I've been reading through that some, as well as the ASA Oral Exam Guide, but I just feel like I've been reading over these things aimlessly without an end goal. Also done a search on the forums and pretty much have just seen people saying to start reading and doing lesson plans. Should I start making lesson plans for PPL/CPL stuff from scratch? I guess I'm just kinda lost in the sauce on where to actually begin and get the wheels rolling on this. I'm sure when I meet with my instructor next week he'll have more help for me, just looking at getting a head start.

Thanks in advance for any help!

cfinotebook.net was my best friend when studying and prepping. I would have a lesson plan for each maneuver prepared and ready at the examiners call (also know your FOI). One thing I did that helped a lot was researched my examiner. I knew exactly what he looked for and what he has had past cfi check ride applicants do. On top of studying everything else, I made sure to go into his hotspots in excruciating detail.

The flight portion really isnt that hard because if you mess up or get out of tolerances you can use that as a teaching moment of what you did wrong and what you could have done to fix it.

its a long checkride but it actually goes by quickly since you are always on the hotseat

hopefully this helped some, good luck!

Liberty Pilot

Thanks for the response! I'll check that website out. I guess I didn't really think of the flight portion that way, if you mess something up just using it as a teaching moment.

Thanks again,

That's not an excuse to get out of tolerances. You still must maintain commercial ACS standards.

I come from a 141 environment, but it's still the same process. I would have lesson plans made for each TASK within the CFI PTS. Then practice teaching those lesson plans repeatedly until it becomes second nature. I have instructed a lot of CFI students personally, and my pet peave is when the CFI applicant is teaching me a lesson plan by just regurgitating what they read in the PHAK. You must know the material to a CFI level. You can get away with regurgitation during a private or commercial practical, but as a CFI you need to know the WHY.

Oh definitely not an excuse, just had never really thought of it as being a chance to use it as a teaching moment instead of just "oh **** I went out of limits."

Trouljaboy,

That's exciting stuff, best of luck in your CFI training. Couple things I'll add are- definitely type up your own lesson plans, while it seems like reinventing the wheel, it will make you memorize the pertinent information for all your lessons. Hit up the FOI- the acronyms are helpful for memorizing the terms, but be prepared to have a conversation about the psychology behind the educational process.

For two out of my three cfi rides, aside from scheduling a checkride i actually picked up the phone and called the examiner. I introduced myself and took a few minutes to ask about how i can best prepare for the checkride and what are some of the common weak areas that the cfi applicants typically exhibit. This is not only a good ice breaker which will help to calm your nerves on the big day, but it also shows to your examiner that you are serious about being as prepared for your new role as you can possibly be. CFI checkride is one of toughest checks you will take as a pilot, and the examiner will make sure that you are fully competent before he turns you loose to go out there on your own and instruct brand new students.
Oh, and don't forget to talk like an infomercial when you go fly ;) lol.

CFI training
 

831 hit on some good points. Writing your own lesson is a good way to learn part of the material. The final part comes with practing teaching it. My wife listened and learned a lot, letting me teach it to her. No wait, working and teach to her helped me get the FOIs (FUNdimentals of Instruction) cemented in my head. Teaching my fellow students in my CFI Academy was the final part of learning the material. If you can teach it, then you know it.
Seriously, it’s a large PIA to write them. However, your friendly FAA inspector or DPE will spot a canned, purchased lesson after about the fourth sentence you speak from it.
There’s about a dozen to write for the initial. My recommendation, if you are the kind of person who learns new material best in a structured format-now I know that I’m going to get torched on this, but go to an American Flyers CFI Academy. You’ll be given the classroom instruction necessary to put all the lessons together and have fellow candidates to practice on. They put more people through than most all the others combined, excepting ATP, UND and Embry Riddle. If not AF, then another good sized provider. No matter who you go to, it’ll be faster and more organized than going to a local trainer provider with the necessary 2 year CFI to get it done.
I mentioned FAA Examiner, as by FAR, they have to do the initial CFI checkride, unless they can’t schedule you, then they will telll you to find a DPE. Always call them and introduce yourself and learn what they will want to see and hear from you. They are there to help you pass, seriously, if you’ve put in the effort to get this far, they want for you to pass your ride. Get the gouge on the various DPEs in your area by asking around. If it is an FAA Examiner, be totally prepared, because rarely will they overlook asking every single item on the checkride worksheet PTS or ACS. They can be a very large PIA. Either way, you’ll be required to teach at least two lessons in oral and that much or more in the air. It is not about reslly precise flying, like your commercial, but it is about how well you can fly and describe what you are doing to a “student”!!
Good luck, as primary flight instruction is some of the most rewarding working you can do, from the standpoint of emotional gratification, not so much on the financial reward, though. Have fun!!