Just passed my CFI initial, and while I don't remember 75% of what was asked (even though the oral was 3.5-4 hours long), I'd like to share my thoughts and give a few tips with anyone who is taking their CFI checkride soon.
If anyone takes the CFI initial from the Memphis FSDO, just know that you'll be getting a very fair ride. Overall, believe it or not, my first checkride with the feds was a great experience. The inspectors in MEM are true professionals and really offer applicants a great environment to successfully take the practical test.
Here is my $.02 on taking the CFI (and any) checkride successfully:
1. Don't expect to know everything. If you don't know the answer to something, don't freak out; just know where to find it.
2. Answer the examiner's question. I know that sounds dumb, but the KISS rule still applies for this ride. If the examiner asks: "What are the four levels of learning?", give them the four levels of learning, and nothing more. Don't produce a dissertation unless the examiner poses the question as either "teach me" or "tell me."
3. KISS. It's great to have a deeper understanding of the subject matter than required, but don't make anything more complicated than it already is. Your students don't need to have a PhD in aerodynamics in order to be safe pilots.
4. If you mess up on something, identify it right away and be able to correct for it. Don't try to cover it up. The examiner has seen it ALL before.
5. Relax. Yes, this is arguably the toughest checkride, but what will hopefully put you at ease is knowing that 95% of the material you will be going over with the examiner is stuff you have ALREADY covered in the past.
6. Realize that the FAA examiner you're taking the test with is a HUMAN BEING, and is not trying to bust you. They want you to pass. They want you to pass because doing a re-test means more work for them too!
7. During the flight, talk, talk, talk. And don't stop. Explain EVERYTHING you're doing. From the pre-flight to shutdown, treat the examiner as a prospective student who just wants to soak in as much information as they can.
8. Break the ice with the examiner and conduct some BS small talk with them. If they see you freaking out before the test, and not talking at all, what kind of impression do you think that leaves with them? If you are able to show some personality and act normal, that puts them at ease, and shows them that you are confident. Not cocky, but confident. At one point during the test, I told the examiner to "keep this thing moving so I could make my AA meeting at 4PM." Do something like that :beer:
I hope this helps calm some peoples nerves regarding the CFI ride. Yes, it is tough, but as with any checkride, perfection is not expected - you just have to meet the standards.
If anyone takes the CFI initial from the Memphis FSDO, just know that you'll be getting a very fair ride. Overall, believe it or not, my first checkride with the feds was a great experience. The inspectors in MEM are true professionals and really offer applicants a great environment to successfully take the practical test.
Here is my $.02 on taking the CFI (and any) checkride successfully:
1. Don't expect to know everything. If you don't know the answer to something, don't freak out; just know where to find it.
2. Answer the examiner's question. I know that sounds dumb, but the KISS rule still applies for this ride. If the examiner asks: "What are the four levels of learning?", give them the four levels of learning, and nothing more. Don't produce a dissertation unless the examiner poses the question as either "teach me" or "tell me."
3. KISS. It's great to have a deeper understanding of the subject matter than required, but don't make anything more complicated than it already is. Your students don't need to have a PhD in aerodynamics in order to be safe pilots.
4. If you mess up on something, identify it right away and be able to correct for it. Don't try to cover it up. The examiner has seen it ALL before.
5. Relax. Yes, this is arguably the toughest checkride, but what will hopefully put you at ease is knowing that 95% of the material you will be going over with the examiner is stuff you have ALREADY covered in the past.
6. Realize that the FAA examiner you're taking the test with is a HUMAN BEING, and is not trying to bust you. They want you to pass. They want you to pass because doing a re-test means more work for them too!
7. During the flight, talk, talk, talk. And don't stop. Explain EVERYTHING you're doing. From the pre-flight to shutdown, treat the examiner as a prospective student who just wants to soak in as much information as they can.
8. Break the ice with the examiner and conduct some BS small talk with them. If they see you freaking out before the test, and not talking at all, what kind of impression do you think that leaves with them? If you are able to show some personality and act normal, that puts them at ease, and shows them that you are confident. Not cocky, but confident. At one point during the test, I told the examiner to "keep this thing moving so I could make my AA meeting at 4PM." Do something like that :beer:
I hope this helps calm some peoples nerves regarding the CFI ride. Yes, it is tough, but as with any checkride, perfection is not expected - you just have to meet the standards.
Too much information saturates the student and they won't retain the bulk of it.
