After several years of starting and stopping, I finally got signed off last Friday. I did my training at Northampton, MA (7B2) and I will be taking it with the Portland, ME FSDO. The DPE I spoke to says it should be about a 2 - 3 week wait, so I will go do a few more flights between now and then. I am need to slow down my Lazy 8's and Chandells and perfect them. Just getting to this point has been a major challenge and I feel a huge weight has been lifted. I think I will cry when I pass.
Finally Got Signed Off for My CFI Initial
- Thread starter iRyan
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En-Route
Excellent! Best of luck!
poadeleted20
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The most important thing to remember about the CFI ticket is that it’s all about teaching, not flying. You will be judged more on your ability to impart learning to your student than on any demonstration of your own pilot skills. The Aviation Instructor's Handbook book is rather dry, and (considering that it’s supposed to be prepared by professionals who really know about teaching) not all that easy to learn from. However, the important data are there, and you’d best learn not only to parrot them, but to understand what they mean and apply them when you teach (and if you don’t recognize these “levels of learning” you’re not ready yet). You will have to be able to read the student’s mind to find out whether he’s really learned the material or not, and if not, WHY not. Then you must be able to figure out how to get past whatever barrier to understanding exists in that student’s mind. You’ll find that there are as many successful techniques as there are students, but there may only be one of those many that works for any one particular student. Being able to hit on one that will work quickly, before the student becomes discouraged, is the toughest part of flight instructing.
How to work through this? Get with some successful teachers, not necessarily pilots. I’m talking about someone you know who’s an experienced high school teacher, one that the kids remember long after graduation as the highlight of their experience. Talk about teaching and learning with this person. You might also consider some basic education courses at the local college.
Finally, here are a few points I put together to get your mind right for the initial CFI checkride:
1. You are a teacher, not a pilot. How you teach is far more important than how you fly the plane. It doesn't matter if you slightly screw up a maneuver, as long as you identify the screw-up as it happens, talk about why it happened, and then how to do it right.
2. Don't rush into any answers. When asked questions, show the examiner where the answer is written -- you're showing how to teach a student, not demonstrating your own superior knowledge. That means you should know COLD where to find the answers -- if asked about the red/green/white tower light gun signals, it shouldn't take you more than a few seconds to get to the right page in the AIM. And you should know instantly whether an answer to an FAR question is in Part 61 or Part 91 (HINT: If the rule applies no matter who's flying the plane, it's in 91. If not, it's in 61.)
3. Be relaxed and organized. When asked a to teach an item, take a moment to gather your thoughts and draw out any blackboard diagrams or itemized lists for the lesson. You're not on "Jeopardy" -- there's no one gonna beat you to the buzzer and steal your $200 prize.
4. Inventory your stuff before you go to the meet -- the checklist in the PTS is a good tool. Make sure you have all the source materials to teach as well as answer all the questions in the PTS.
5. Typically, during the oral, the examiner will jump on one topic and continue asking questions until you run out of answers. In the Air Force, we called this game "Stump the Dummy." As the questioner knows more than the questionee about the topic he selected (which is why the questioner selected it), the final outcome (the dummy is stumped) is never in doubt. The critical elements are how far the dummy can get before being stumped, and how he handles the situation -- straight knowledge, clear explanations, use of the book when appropriate or necessary, and no BS or tap-dancing when finally stumped.
6. Expect a long, grueling session. You're being given the authority to release others into the sky without anyone else's oversight. They want to make damn sure you can make good decisions in that respect. For that reason, I think the initial CFI is the most significant ride you'll ever take.
Good luck,
Ron Levy
CFI since 1973
How to work through this? Get with some successful teachers, not necessarily pilots. I’m talking about someone you know who’s an experienced high school teacher, one that the kids remember long after graduation as the highlight of their experience. Talk about teaching and learning with this person. You might also consider some basic education courses at the local college.
Finally, here are a few points I put together to get your mind right for the initial CFI checkride:
1. You are a teacher, not a pilot. How you teach is far more important than how you fly the plane. It doesn't matter if you slightly screw up a maneuver, as long as you identify the screw-up as it happens, talk about why it happened, and then how to do it right.
2. Don't rush into any answers. When asked questions, show the examiner where the answer is written -- you're showing how to teach a student, not demonstrating your own superior knowledge. That means you should know COLD where to find the answers -- if asked about the red/green/white tower light gun signals, it shouldn't take you more than a few seconds to get to the right page in the AIM. And you should know instantly whether an answer to an FAR question is in Part 61 or Part 91 (HINT: If the rule applies no matter who's flying the plane, it's in 91. If not, it's in 61.)
3. Be relaxed and organized. When asked a to teach an item, take a moment to gather your thoughts and draw out any blackboard diagrams or itemized lists for the lesson. You're not on "Jeopardy" -- there's no one gonna beat you to the buzzer and steal your $200 prize.
4. Inventory your stuff before you go to the meet -- the checklist in the PTS is a good tool. Make sure you have all the source materials to teach as well as answer all the questions in the PTS.
5. Typically, during the oral, the examiner will jump on one topic and continue asking questions until you run out of answers. In the Air Force, we called this game "Stump the Dummy." As the questioner knows more than the questionee about the topic he selected (which is why the questioner selected it), the final outcome (the dummy is stumped) is never in doubt. The critical elements are how far the dummy can get before being stumped, and how he handles the situation -- straight knowledge, clear explanations, use of the book when appropriate or necessary, and no BS or tap-dancing when finally stumped.
6. Expect a long, grueling session. You're being given the authority to release others into the sky without anyone else's oversight. They want to make damn sure you can make good decisions in that respect. For that reason, I think the initial CFI is the most significant ride you'll ever take.
Good luck,
Ron Levy
CFI since 1973
jordane93
Touchdown! Greaser!
Good luck! I hope to be in your shoes in a little bit as I work towards my CFI certificate.
James331
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If you're taking the ride at the FSDO you're taking it with a inspector NOT a DPE.
RotorAndWing
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Some FSDO's are farming out initial CFI's to DPE's to keep the applicant from waiting too long.
poadeleted20
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Many are, but I don't think any of those DPE's are giving those tests at the FSDO (or even with the FSDO, other than when the FSDO is observing that DPE once or twice a year). Hence...
That said, you can't just call a DPE out of the blue and get set up for an initial CFI ride. It must be scheduled through the FSDO, and if they aren't going to do it themselves, the FSDO designates which DPE will be assigned to do your ride, so you don't get a choice in the matter.
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RotorAndWing
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BTW, Mr. Obvious, When I was at the Agency we didn't give ANY checkrides at the FSDO since it wasn't even located on an airport (as many FSDO's are now).
We meet our clients at the FBO conference room and conducted the ride (same as the DPE's).
BTW, Mr. Obvious, When I was at the Agency we didn't give ANY checkrides at the FSDO since it wasn't even located on an airport (as many FSDO's are now).
We meet our clients at the FBO conference room and conducted the ride (same as the DPE's).
True here, as well, since the FSDO is located at MSP and doing a checkride out of a busy Bravo airport would be a challenge!
To the OP, congrats on your preparation. Always remember, patience IS a virtue...never more so than instructing. Students will sense your frustration and only do worse. Be encouraging at the smallest signs of progress and build on those baby steps. Good luck with your ride.