CFI-A Checkride and the changes to the FOI

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djackd

Well-Known Member
##Decided to put this in CFI rather than Checkride because I figure working CFI's would be interested (particularly those working with CFI candidates), and let's face it this sub category gets much more traffic.##

I am currently preparing for my CFI initial checkride and have found myself needing to relearn much of the FOI. I took the FOI written test years ago*, so there has been a lot of "disuse" and "repression."

My concern is over the well publicized changes to the FOI written. Does anyone know if those changes have trickled down to the FSDOs and CFI checkrides?

Assuming the FOI that I studied in 2008 (from the 1999 version of the handbook) comes back to me pretty well, I don't want to have to deal with the "interference" that studying the current handbook would create.

*I have my AGI, so don't need a fresh FOI written for this checkride, but I am responsible for its contents on the oral.
 
The current version of the Aviation Instructor's Handbook was published in '08. Read through it, and you'll probably be ok. I did my CFI ride with a DE, and I think he asked me a few questions from the AIH, but mostly it was "can you teach this lesson, putting into practice the principles of the AIH" more than can you regurgitate Maslow's triangle or something like that.
 
I just did my CFI initial with a DPE and he admitted that most of his questions were based on the older version of the AIH (circa 1977). A lot of the concepts are the same, there is just a difference in nomenclature. There are, however, a few new concepts as well. Certainly wouldn't hurt to skim through the newer version. I downloaded and went through it on my computer. If nothing else it shows you are using up to date material. We probably spent a solid 2.5 hours just on information out of the AIH, including specifics on defense mechanisms, principles of learning, levels of learning and what not.
 
ShortField said:
I just did my CFI initial with a DPE and he admitted that most of his questions were based on the older version of the AIH (circa 1977). A lot of the concepts are the same, there is just a difference in nomenclature. There are, however, a few new concepts as well. Certainly wouldn't hurt to skim through the newer version. I downloaded and went through it on my computer. If nothing else it shows you are using up to date material. We probably spent a solid 2.5 hours just on information out of the AIH, including specifics on defense mechanisms, principles of learning, levels of learning and what not.
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I did mine with a fed a few weeks ago and he was using the older one. At one point I gave him an answer straight out of the new AIH and he said I was wrong. After the oral I checked and I was right, he just wouldn't let me open the book and prove it.
 
Ajax BU said:
I did mine with a fed a few weeks ago and he was using the older one. At one point I gave him an answer straight out of the new AIH and he said I was wrong. After the oral I checked and I was right, he just wouldn't let me open the book and prove it.
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He wouldn't let you open the book?
 
Inverted25 said:
He wouldn't let you open the book?
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Nope. He told me at the beginning of the oral to not to use any of my books unless he told me to. The only time I was able to use a book was when he asked me to prove my answer that we could use GPS instead of ADF.
 
I took the oral portion last week with the FSDO and didnt notice any differences from the FOI written. Get a hold of the Aviation Instructors Handbook (8083-9) and you should be fine.
 
Ajax BU said:
Nope. He told me at the beginning of the oral to not to use any of my books unless he told me to. The only time I was able to use a book was when he asked me to prove my answer that we could use GPS instead of ADF.
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Crazy I never once had an examiner that had a issue with me using a book to look something up.
 
Ajax BU said:
Nope. He told me at the beginning of the oral to not to use any of my books unless he told me to. The only time I was able to use a book was when he asked me to prove my answer that we could use GPS instead of ADF.
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That's very interesting for a CFI ride. I mean, if I'm instructing, and there's any doubt at all, we'll pull the books off the shelf. That does two things. I make absolutely sure I got it right, and it teaches the student how to look things up when they're not sure.
 
msmspilot said:
That's very interesting for a CFI ride. I mean, if I'm instructing, and there's any doubt at all, we'll pull the books off the shelf. That does two things. I make absolutely sure I got it right, and it teaches the student how to look things up when they're not sure.
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Well, I guess just about every fed ride is interesting in some way.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I've never brought books in with me to an oral, but my instructor is encouraging me to have a notebook as a reference.
 
djackd said:
Thanks for the input guys. I've never brought books in with me to an oral, but my instructor is encouraging me to have a notebook as a reference.
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Do it! It shows you are prepared and that you are taking it seriously. My examiner said his last applicant brought only one or two books with him and while not necessarily a red flag it was an indication that the applicant wasnt as prepared as he could have been. He didnt pass unfortunately. I had a library's worth of books and manuals with me just in case.
 
djackd said:
Thanks for the input guys. I've never brought books in with me to an oral, but my instructor is encouraging me to have a notebook as a reference.
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Bring as much as you feel you need to demonstrate how prepared you are. On top of my books I also had a 4 inch binder full of my lesson plans, supporting material, cut away pictures of the instruments, my cross country planning,few FAA orders, and enlarged copies drivers license, passport, medical, pilot certificate, and ground instructor certificate all in those little plastic sleeves
 
I agree with the previous two posts. That's interesting that you have never brought any books to an oral. At a minimum I was told to always have a current FAR/AIM and POH (just for regular check rides). For my CFI, I brought nearly every book I had plus a binder full of lesson plans/notes I had made. It's interesting to see how different everyone's check ride experiences are.
 
ShortField said:
I agree with the previous two posts. That's interesting that you have never brought any books to an oral. At a minimum I was told to always have a current FAR/AIM and POH (just for regular check rides). For my CFI, I brought nearly every book I had plus a binder full of lesson plans/notes I had made. It's interesting to see how different everyone's check ride experiences are.
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I guess I overstated when I said "nothing." I meant that I didn't bring the FAA Handbooks or Jepp manuals. I HAVE normally brought the POH and FAR/AIM. My instructor is telling me to create a separate "reference notebook" where I can quickly reference things that I forget. He says that the notebook will demonstrate the examiner that I've "done the work" even if I can't do everything from memory. In addition, I'll bring my lesson plans, POH, FAR/AIM and maybe relevant AC's.

Does any have a good list of AC's I might need to reference/be familiar with?
 
Ajax BU said:
Nope. He told me at the beginning of the oral to not to use any of my books unless he told me to. The only time I was able to use a book was when he asked me to prove my answer that we could use GPS instead of ADF.
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I had the similar experience on my CFI checkride where my examiner did not want me using my books, and advisory circulars during the checkride. I recommend that you are able to list all the endorsements from student pilot to private pilot from memory. Also, memorize the aeronautical experience requirements for private and commercial pilot.
 
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