early retiree

Greeting you all,

This is my first post here and this is probably different or unusual post because I want to have the CFII rating at the end of my career!!!

I've just took an early retirement last month and thinking to be a flight instructor to my 2 boys at this time and maybe to others in the future.

I went to the FBO to get information and was told that taking the initial CFI will take approximately 8 hours to finish, but to be honest with you, I don't think my brain is going to function for that long... I'm not going to have problem in the flying phase of the practical test but not sure of the oral.

I subscribed to Gleim's and they sent me several books (Flight instructor flight maneuvers, Pilot handbook, Flight/Ground instructor, Fundamentals of instructing, FAR/AIM). Are Gleim's books enough to pass the test?

I had taken so many FAA check-rides in the past but never lasted more than 2 hours.
Background about me:
I have a little over 7500 flying time, did not fly much in the last 10 years( probably 350 hours per year) due to office obligation. I was check/training captain for my company but all of the pilots that I used to fly with had at least 3000 hours.

I do really appreciate any feedback that you may provide,

the King

If you can stand 8 hours of office work, you can easily make it through the checkride. You won't be questioned every minute. Chances are good the inspector will want coffee breaks, bathroom breaks (so keep the coffee flowing) and lunch. Chances are also good that your experience will help you out. You'll have plenty of stories and reasons for why things are the way they are. This is invaluable information for teaching. Finally, find the most senior instructor at your FBO. You have a better chance of finding someone who has more equivalent experience that can complement what you already know.

norskman2

Yes! Study the Gleim's and you won't have any trouble with any of the writtens. Good luck!

Careercfi

Since you actually want to instruct and with your background, I would like to wish you a nice walk in the park. I don't know if you will encounter 8 hours of oral testing. That may just be the handed down average information given to some 190 hour kiddo that wants to build time. FAA Inspectors can sense if someone wants to instruct and will do a fine job at it based on experience and learned skill rather than trying to get by with the bare minimum. People like you have forgotten more about flying than some of us may ever learn and even FAA Inspectors have a human side - so please don't let people make things look harder than they have to be.

There is no requirement for the oral to take 8 hours, you may need some prepping for your lesson plans and hands on exposure to training unexperienced people - but I can't see that as a cloud on the horizon.
Good luck!

Ewfflyer

Coming from the 135 world, and doing the CFI gig before that, I would think since you were a check-airmen, you'll have plenty of good and practical experience to assist you with this venture. Regardless of how long it takes on the oral, if you feel burned out by the end of it, you can always ask for a discontinuance to do the flight at a later date, and you should get credit for all areas you have completed successfully. Hopefully the DPE/FSDO isn't a prick and re-tests you on items, but wouldn't be the first time. My oral lasted about 4-5hrs, 2.0 flight. I've heard FSDO examiners are more towards 6-ish hours, pending level of skill/knowledge, but the flight is the same.

Good Luck

majorityof1

My initial CFI was a 4 hour oral and a 2 hour flight. I would say a solid hour of the oral was paperwork and then BSing; getting background information on each other.

The actual oral is more of a conversation about flying. I obviously had to be accurate and well spoken, but it didn't feel particularly test-like as the other ratings did. I also had to teach one lesson to a simulated large class. Teaching that lesson was the only time I really felt nervous and as though I was being graded.

After all, you are two professionals that want to upkeep the standards in aviation.