Hey there,
I'm going on my CFI initial ride up at our local FSDO next week...any advice on what to expect, what to study, etc...? Anything is much appreciated.
-MJ

 

What area? Sometimes the CFI rides depend on the location, and always depend on the examiner.

 

Portland, Maine.

 

Study the weather reports and forecasts in depth for the few days prior to the ride, you will probably see them

 

not what you want to hear, but study EVERYTHING!

my oral was 7 hours long with the SAN FSDO and then a letter of discontinuance because of equipement...then off to the RAL FSDO to finish up with another 2 hours of oral to make sure that SAN didnt miss anything.

If you cram for two hours a night for a week straight you will be fine and remember it is an open book test. Just so long as your material remains "reference" material and not "research" material the examiner will not have a problem and expect you to have memorized everything.

Take a look at the PTS standards and really dwell on the "requireds" and then just hit on the rest.

I was asked an infinite number of MX questions as far as MEL's and if you can fly with this and if you cant fly with this etc. I was also asked to draw a VG diagram and explain it in detail for a specific aircraft.


Any questions just PM me, I took mine on March 28th of this year and 160 hours of dual given later I am still here to tell the story.

 

Sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for the help.
-MJ

 

Know the PTS. Private, Comm, and have the instrument stuff available too. Remember you can provide instrument instruction with an intial. The only things you can't do are sign off an IPC or practical exam. A student only needs 15 hours with a CFII.

As for the rest, know the essentials (wx mins, valid times for wx, charts, AF/D, aircraft systems etc) cold. Know where to find everything else. Be able to back your answers up with the FAA-approved literature. Advisory circular AC61-65 is your best friend. I believe the current edition of this gem is E.

Go to the checkride with a battle plan. Know what you are required to do per the CFI PTS and teach the examiner. Not the other way around. Engage him as if he/she is a zero-time pilot. Too many view this as an insult to their intelligence or worry about questioning their authority but you're this isn't your intention. You're demonstrating your ability to instruct.