CFI-initial
 

Hey everyone,
Well I guess since I am new I better introduce myself first. I am a Commerical AMEL pilot sitting at 450 tt. I am 19 and have been flying with my Dad since the time I was born lol. I soloed at 16 got my private at 17, bought a 172, got my instrument when I was 18 and my Commercial ASEL. Funny part is I had all this stuff before I even had my drivers license :D.
Currently I am beginning to work on my CFI and was curious of which route I should go about getting it. I am working on getting the writtens out of the way first and I have already started work on my lesson plans.

I would suggest schools that run seminar-style CFI programs. For the basic ratings one-on-one with a CFI is fine, but there are big advantages to working with a group of other students when learning how to teach and build lesson plans.

I was thinking that would probably be the best way to learn it, was with a group. I'll look into any flight schools in my area that do this. I live in middle Georgia and I am kinda too far away to go to American Flyers.
Thank you for the feedback.

CFI-intial
 

You don't necessarily have to write all of your own lesson plans. You'll need to know the mechanics of writing one (how to write one with the appropriate bullet points) but you can get away with a commercially produced lesson plan book. I know because I did. Just try to make sure the lessons are detailed enough to cover the areas you would include if you were writing it yourself.
You can save some money and go to your local flight school for this rating. Just make sure the instructor has recently trained a CFI and has a good pass rate. He'll prep you well enough. The main thing: study harder than you've ever studied before. This was up there as one of the top two hardest tests ever taken, and I have a masters degree (just for perspective).

One of the hardest ratings to get... It's very rewarding when done but make sure you are studied up. The lesson plans are important... but not as important as understanding how to explain the maneuvers. Know that AFM like the back of your hand and make sure to find a good experienced CFI to teach you.

Good luck!

Thank you for the replys yesyou and flyingtiger. Even though it probably is the toughest rating out there I am looking forward to all the knowledge I will have gained by obtaining it and in my opinion a pilot who can teach flying is a better pilot.

Check out Middle Georgia College. They offer certificate type programs where you just enroll in one course. If you live close enough you could do it there. If not it may be better to go do it at a accelerated academy like ATP or AF. If you want to stay in Georgia I would suggest ATP at LZU over AF at PDK.

Crystal River Aero Group would be a great place to do your CFI but its more one on one.

For the written tests buy the preps from Sheppard Air. They are easily the best prep available for FAA exams.

Good Luck

I did mine through mostly self- study, and I recommend daily self-study for written topics in addition to what Rick mentions, finishing up in an academy. The trick with the CFI airplane is balancing your factual knowledge (written stuff and knowledge of the maneuvers) with some solid flying skills: eye, hand, & foot-work. It's not easy doing both well, and you can bust the test in either area- truly is a "say what you do, and do what you say" sort of exam. I think that is why the failure rate is so high, anyone can ace a lone written or skill test, but when you have to walk the walk it suddenly gets kind of tough. Don't be afraid of it- you will become a much better pilot whether you pass or fail on the first try, and of course anyone who is serious will pass. Since the flying is nothing new at that point in my opinion the most beneficial aspects of the CFI are

1) the stuff you learn in the books- prepping for the written exam
2) the change in you that comes from learning to instruct other humans bringing the best out in them

I see great value in both these things, especially the latter, as ALL pilots will eventually end up teaching other pilots. Those who had time to get their skills together as instructors have a leg up on the rest who did not give themselves a chance. The outlook as an instructor is valuable even if you do not need logbook padding.