Originally Posted by Ecotone

Look up my reply above. This actually is not a "cram" class because the study work and preparation starts way ahead of the start date. Sure it is fast paced, but it's definitely manageable. Just to give you an idea, I started preparing for the class (FOI & FIA writtens, PTS outlines, etc.) about 2 months before the class. Granted, I work full time so I could only work evenings and some weekends but you get the idea. But then when I showed up to class, I pretty much had everything ready and it was just a matter of getting feedback from the instructors and other students, polishing my presentations and some of the content a bit, and then jumping in the airplane for the flying portion.

As far as the lesson plans, for what it's worth, I strongly encourage you to build your own outlines... Just follow the PTS and look up the reference material. This will help you tremendously for the test.

Originally Posted by Knudiee

I appreciate your input. By “putting together an outline” do you mean like a frame of each lesson, (like what will be taught, what you need, how long will it take, etc.) or making all the lessons from scratch?

I bought the pilot nick binder, I’ve heard good things.
I already have my written exams done, and sorry to the guy who started the forum, I didn’t mean to hijack. I’m sure it will be helpful to us both.

Originally Posted by Ecotone

I booked an Airbnb a few miles from the airport. 10 days, was about $700. I believe they also provide shared housing for the duration of the class for $500. As far as the class, I believe they just increased their prices to $8000 for the CFI class. Check with them to be sure.

I hear ya. I started preparing with the King Schools course for CFI too and overall, I think it's a great way to get the ball rolling and get your mind in the right place. However, in the end what you need to work on is the CFI PTS, Area 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the oral. I certainly used some of my notes from the King course to build my outlines for each Task in the PTS but in the end, I would say King is insufficient. You're going to have to use the FAA books (PHAK, AFH, etc.), some advisory circulars (61-98D, 91-73B, 61-65H, etc.), FAR/AIM, etc. If you go with Blue Line, they will send you some study material you will need to complete before your arrival. It is essentially a series of questions on each task that forces you to look up the reference materials. Once you have that done, you will pretty much have all of your outlines done for Area 1 and 2... It is very efficient.

To be clear, the purpose of an accelerated course like the one proposed at Blue Line is not to teach you the material. As a commercial pilot, you should already have the knowledge so the goal is to help you organize the material in a way that makes teaching efficient. The whole point is to make you apply the Fundamentals of Instructing to the material. They're going to have you present each Task of Area 1 through 3 in front of the class at least once so by the end of the class if you study like they tell you and come prepared, I can say with confidence you will be ready for the checkride.

As a side note, I wouldn't exactly call Blue Line "a factory". They have 1 accelerated CFI class per month, so roughly 12 a year, with about 4 people attending in each. It is a family owned business, CFIs are well treated, pay is good, airplanes are top notch with some brand new 172s with all the bells and whistles (G1000 NXi). They also give you a good chunk of time for each lesson so you and your instructor don't feel rushed getting in and out. Give them a call or visit the school if you can.

PM me if you have any other questions. Happy to help.

Originally Posted by flybub

Is the Examiner in-house or do you go somewhere else to do the checkride?