lstorm2003

Just curious if you got an FAA guy from the FSDO, or if they let you use a DPE for the check ride?

cws1028

Depends on the FSDO. In Salt Lake typically a DPE does it, but the FSDO assigns the DPE and you are stuck with them for two attempts, when you can request to be assigned to someone else. I know a few other FSDOs do this too.

Duckdude

Richmond, VA has the FAA inspectors do the CFI initial, and they have a pretty high 1st time failure rate.

wrxsteve

Why does it seem that most pilots pass the 2nd time? Do the FSDO just want to have a high failure rate??? I dont hear too many people failing the 2nd time, is it a complete retake or do they just make you redo the section you failed?

I'll be working on my cfi soon

JamesNoBrakes

A lack of understanding of the PTS usually IMO. At the PP and CP levels they have to perform to the level of the PTS, but at the CFI level they have to perform at the CP level and know all three PTSs well, and many do not. It's not as easy as it sounds to teach something and it's not perfection that is sought, but it takes a little more than a few orals to become proficient at it. Think about how much stuff is passed on through word of mouth, it's "fact" because the flight instructor "said so". When you get to the CFI level and checkride, that stops completely, and if you weren't really prepared and able to back up everything you say, it comes to a screeching halt. I've had pretty good experiences with the CFI checks I've conducted, but the quality does vary wildly outside of controlled environments. I've been amazed though at applicant's who for some reason do not think they'd be asked questions from the aviation instructor's handbook (FOI) according to the PTS. It's as if they just thought it was going to be skipped or something. The standards are in the PTS and if someone does not pass the first time they are usually pretty good about addressing the areas that are necessary, but it usually goes back to the PTS and meeting it for teaching objectives and performance. There are no FSDOs that want to have a high failure rate. They want the applicants to be completely prepared and pass. The two biggest areas I've seen are meeting the PTS (which in turn means being knowledgeable and able to teach the objectives based on the references stated) and safety of flight issues. Never ever let your "student" get into a situation where safety can be compromised. You can always go back on another day and attempt a maneuver, but safety is way too important to let your "student" over-rotate, taxi off the taxiway, not flare, come in sideways, etc., and yep, the real and simulated ones will do that

Yoda2

I don't recall the, current, legalities and am too tired to look them up... I do know the Feds prefer you take the CFI Initial with them. It has been that way as long as I can remember. It has been my experience that most FSDO's will defer/refer you to a DPE if they feel they cannot get to you in a reasonable time. That is usually due to a particular FSDO being overloaded/understaffed. Some will even let you pick a DPE. In either case you're not likely to have an easier go of an Initial CFI due to using a DPE; the CFI is a whole nuther deal with a lot more responsibility and potential repercussions, not to be taken lightly... As far as failures, I agree with JNB. Good Luck

dsmith3631

It's been a bit since I did mine, but the first response is right on...Depends on the FSDO". I was looking at doing it in lower Alabama and there a DPE would do the ride for initial CFI, but when I chose to go up to St. Louis and use a finish up program there, the FAA FSDO does all CFI initial rides. I did my CFI initial on 1 day with an FAA inspector and passed, and then did my CFII add-on the next day with a DPE. I actually had to wait around and just fly some solo practices after being signed off, waiting for the FAA inspector to be available to fly.

My 2 cents....