Scheduled the CFI Ride today...
 

Scheduled for Sept. 18th... could have picked sooner but need the time to keep studying and still need to finish my 141 end-of-course.

Just looking for some pointers, besides the obvious know everything about everything...

Also, how long were your rides, I've heard the 8-hour horror stories as well as the 1-hour lucky SOB's, just seeing if there is an average out there now days.

Thanks for any info ahead of time guys, wish me luck, god knows I'll need it!

It's really a crap shoot as far as what kind of inspector you get. I heard the same stories but ended up with a pretty cool guy for my CFII initial. I think the CFI initial is a little more intense because they can ask you anything about flying where as mine was focused on instrument stuff. Also make sure your up on your FOI because they could hit that hard too. Just remember the "golden shovel" rule......don't dig yourself into a hole you can't get out of.

What is FOI?

Ya, I have heard they do like to hammer on the FOI stuff and get the fail out of the way before moving on and figuring out what else to fail you on... but knowing that, i'll probably be spending a large amount of time on that subject.

Is the oral exam guide a good book for getting ready for the verbal? I've also got the Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and Airplane Flying Handbook which I have already read through and highlighted some things I didnt know so much about... also for memorizing common errors on maneuvers, do you just have to hit the gyst of it or actually have all of the errors memorized (as opposed to just thinking of how a student could possibly mess up a... steep turn, per se)?

Thanks for the help guys, pretty nervous about this one...

PS. FOI = Fundamentals of Instruction

talk talk and talk some more open every book you can they don't expect you to know it all just know where to find it. no BS if you don't know say you don't know, but know where to find it if your not sure say I'm not sure.
good luck

Just wanted to let you know: Good luck, we're all counting on you!

Poor Pilot gave some great advice. Sometimes the best thing to do isn't knowing the answer, but where to find the answer. Use the next two weeks to get very familiar with the FARs. If you have a copy produced by ASA, they have a suggested reading section at the front for each rating. Going through each is a good way to learn it.

Haha thanks for the pressure "we're all counting on you", no just kidding... thanks though... never noticed that section before, guess that shows how much more familiar I need to get with it

Concerning using the books as much as possible, is there an inappropriate amount to use them, and dont I have to exhibit at least some knowledge on the subject before I just say "I dont know, lets look it up"?

Also, if I have premade lesson plans, will I be able to use those while explaining a maneuver and common errors?

Thanks guys, keep it comin'

This is going to vary according to the inspector/DPE you take it with. I'd clarify before the ride so you have a good idea. The inspector I took mine with liked that I went to the books a bunch. In most cases, he was asking puposely hard questions seeing if I'd go in the right direction. I'd open to a section, scan for a minute, find it read it and explain it. The worst thing in the world you can do is BS. Your credibility as an instructor is paramount. Be careful using anything that isn't from the FAA.

Like anything else, there is probably an amount of "let's look it up" moments that you can use. However, if you can't back up what you're saying in the text is shows you really don't know the material. How can you be 100% sure you're saying the right thing?

Lesson plans are great, as an outline. I made very loose ones that only outlined the key points because I like to engage the student. When they're asking questions, they're learning.

Another biggie, use correct terms. Act like the inspector/dpe has never seen an airplane and doesn't know a tab from a stab. It's a trim tab and a horizontal stabilizer.

Well, today was the day, add me to the statistic of the 70+% (depending on who you talk to) fail rate of CFI applicants.

I'd explain what I failed on, but aviation is a small community and I dont really want any special attention come re-take time. But overall, it wasnt as bad as I thought, and I only have to repeat one section + do the flight, not too shabby I guess. 3 Hours and it was a far cry from most of the horror stories I've heard about FAA examiners.

Wish me luck, and good luck to all that are about to take the plunge, it really isnt that bad... I really stressed myself out over it, its not worth it, just know your stuff.

you'll get it next time..no primacy busts!