UConnQB14

is there a way to become a CFII or MEI without being a straight CFI first..

ie. not be able to give initial instruction in regards to stalls, landings, etc.?

if so, what is the procedure for doing so and what is the FAR it is under?

rickair7777

Absolutely. You can obtain any CFI rating(s) you like, in any order. It is common for career types to get CFI, CFII, MEI in that order, but not necessary. Some examiners may not be used to seeing them done out of order, so I wouldn't do it unless you have a good reason (like an MEI job that starts in a week).

Your FIRST checkride for an instructor certificate is called your "initial", regardless of which rating you seek. Your initial has some extra requirements:
1) Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) written test must be completed.
2) FOI's must be covered on the oral.
3) Some FSDO's require that a Fed, not a DPE, performs your initial.
4) The initial is usually harder, but this is not a formal requirement.

Once you have completed ANY instructor cert, all subsequent instructor certs are add-ons, with no FOI's or Fed required. They are usually easier too.

The regs treat CFI-Airplane (CFI), CFII, and MEI ratings equally. there's nothing that specifies any particular order.

usmc-sgt

I did my MEI as my initial with the FSDO and it was not an issue at all.

without your CFI though you are more or less useless to 98% of schools. If you have an in somewhere then Id go for it but typically being just a II or an MEI no one will want someone who can only fly the twin or do Instrument training. Just suck it up, get the CFI and do touch and gos and stalls until you cant take it anymore like the rest of us

TXTECHKA

why do think that you would be better off without a CFI? The problem with stalls and landings is????

rickair7777

There are a fair number of CFII jobs that don't require a CFI, typically sim instructor jobs.

UConnQB14

i am meeting a requirement for a sales position, not a flight instructing position at all. the requirement is any flight instructor rating. the people that would be flying the aircraft i am selling (demo'ing), are already advanced pilots so the need for primary instruction isnt necessary

TXTECHKA

That sounds like a pretty sweet deal. I've sold a few planes while being a cfi at an FBO and made some sweet cash. In my opinion, even if you don't need all of them it would still be smart to have them.