November Seven

I'm now wondering if I should go for the CFI, just for the in depth nature of what it purports to teach - as a method for making myself a better Pilot. Hmmmmm. Thanks for your OP. You've given me something else to think about.

SonicFlyer

How can one do this?

And can it cause blowback if you take a checkride or are CFI in that FSDO in the future?

wmlocante

You can do it with any sort of work ethic/motivation. If you really enjoy flying/aviation and feel you can transfer that to someone else then you should dive right in and go for it. I was in the same boat and thought it wasnt for me also. I even went as far as getting a spot in the ANG flying C-130s to avoid it. After having finished it, I am so glad I went through with it. As far as time building, there really is no other way that can be better short of owning your own plane.

wmlocante

I was able to pick my DPE.

TiredSoul

If you get a pink slip which is clearly out of bounds contact the FAA and file a complaint and request a second ride from a FSDO Inspector.
Technically I think they can repeal a pink slip. Problem is time frame.
Unless you have a FSDO next door and you can do the ride tomorrow.
Anything that you consider unethical behavior by a DPE can be reported and should be reported to the FAA.
They are not GOD and the FAA giveth and the FAA taketh away designations every single week somewhere in the USA.
After enough complaints the FSDO can decide to observe a checkride. Basically sit in on oral and flights.
Or choose to do more of an ‘undercover’ operation and simply observe from a distance and time an oral examination or interview an applicant after the fact.

“ Oh yeah easy ride, we didn’t even do steep turns!”
(Mandatory item)
“Only two questions on the oral!”

Or an 8-hr oral for a Commercial checkride. Unless it’s entirely conducted in Native American Blackfoot sign language that’s BS.

Arrogant or intimidating behavior.
Telling you to fly by their standards or else.
Telling you to use their procedures because they know best.

Here’s one:
Certain model Aztec has battery on the right hand side. This combined with cantankerous IO-540’s can make starting a bit of a black art. So start the RH engine first since it’s a shorter lead to the battery.
So Ace-of-the-base DPE yells at my student for wanting to start the RH engine first as “you should never do that in a Multi, because what if the LH engine catches fire now you can’t get out since the door is on the right blah blah blah”
Throws my guy off his game then decides ( in the airplane) to pink slip him on a question in the oral that “he was weak on”.
As I’m fuming he tells me he can get me right seat time in a local MU2 for some skanky operator that he knows if I send him more applicants. He can get a word in for me. Wink wink
He knows they have just hired a female FO but “you know what happens every month”.
You can’t make this stuff up I swear.
About 12-13 years ago and I’ve never send him a student again...ever.

tm602

After 32 years in aviation my observation is...YES.
Many years ago failed on my CFI initial. Oral was 5 hours, went fine. Manuevers fine, takeoffs landings done, just one last landing. Examiner wanted "soft field, no flaps, with short approach, on the numbers". Well we all know no such thing exists. So I did my best to set it up and as I expected by 500 AGL it clearly wasn't going to work out so I did a go around. Failed for "lack of instructional knowledge on landings". I asked what that meant. He told me "instructional knowledge" was being able to do any landing without doing a go around. Man, my CFI was ****ed. Called the FSDO, and they agreed with us. But, the FAA having not been present, well I was outta luck.
Soooo, do the obligatory 3 hours, rent the plane. Fly it to the other airport, do ONE landing, pay him another $600, and got a nice new white ticket this time. Ironic, he later died in a plane crash himself.

November Seven

Thanks for the confirmation!

heisjj

Whoa, congrats on completing it in one day! I also just finished my CFI initial the other day. My oral took 8hrs and there was no chance I was going to fly after that experience even though the weather was perfect So left with a discontinuance and got the flight done a couple of days ago!

How did it feel flying in those conditions especially after the long ground before it?

wmlocante

Honestly, it made it a little easier in case in got off of my heading or altitude "Oh man did you feel that gust of wind?!" But I was just ready to get it over with.

AboveMins

Sounds exactly like my CFI ride back 20 years ago. I wonder if it's the same guy. After I passed on my subsequent attempt, I vowed never to send any of my students through him.