CFI Initial questions?
- Thread starter cre8flyer
- Start date
jrh
Well-Known Member
Pretty much anything. Be able to teach anything a private or commercial pilot needs to know. You might get asked to talk about airspace, aerodynamics, radio communications, how to perform lazy eights...anything. You don't have to have it all memorized...just be able to reference it in textbooks and explain it like you would to a student.
Oh, and also there will be some FOI questions. I remember one of mine was, "What is your favorite law of learning, and why is it your favorite?" Be ready for that sort of thing.
Oh, and also there will be some FOI questions. I remember one of mine was, "What is your favorite law of learning, and why is it your favorite?" Be ready for that sort of thing.
desertdog71
Girthy Member
Lots and Lots of FAR questions, the FAR's pertaining to Pilot Certification and endorsements. The FOI was big also.
Mine was MEI Initial so we talked a lot about Vmc, L/D Diagrams, affects of Density altitude that sort of thing. There was also quite a bit on Airspace. We hit pretty much everything right out of the PTS, but every examiner has certain areas of focus. I didn't find the Oral to be difficult at all, but I felt well prepared also. Just pretty much go in there and talk like they are a brand new student. The PTS though is going to be the very best source of information to study.
Also a sidenote. Use every FAA document you can find during your presentations, it makes them feel good. I had AC's Printed up. All the FAA training handbooks, and printed diagrams right off their website. That always helps.
Relax and just go do what you have been trained to do.
Mine was MEI Initial so we talked a lot about Vmc, L/D Diagrams, affects of Density altitude that sort of thing. There was also quite a bit on Airspace. We hit pretty much everything right out of the PTS, but every examiner has certain areas of focus. I didn't find the Oral to be difficult at all, but I felt well prepared also. Just pretty much go in there and talk like they are a brand new student. The PTS though is going to be the very best source of information to study.
Also a sidenote. Use every FAA document you can find during your presentations, it makes them feel good. I had AC's Printed up. All the FAA training handbooks, and printed diagrams right off their website. That always helps.
Relax and just go do what you have been trained to do.
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
PTS, PTS, and some more PTS.
Regs, currency, req'd equipment, airspace, endorsements, crosswind landings, pattern, load factor, lift, stalls, general aerodynamic (very general by FAA standards
), scenario questions (what/how do you deal with this..).
Its a re-cap of commercial and private pilot regs, maneuvers, and tolerances. Keep it simple and support your information with AIM, ACs, PHAK, AFH, POH, and FARs.
Dont pull stuff out of your butt! If you dont know, be a good instructor and look it up.
Regs, currency, req'd equipment, airspace, endorsements, crosswind landings, pattern, load factor, lift, stalls, general aerodynamic (very general by FAA standards
Its a re-cap of commercial and private pilot regs, maneuvers, and tolerances. Keep it simple and support your information with AIM, ACs, PHAK, AFH, POH, and FARs.
Dont pull stuff out of your butt! If you dont know, be a good instructor and look it up.
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
Here is your homework,
1) Tell me (us) the cloud clearances for A, B, C, D, E, G airpace, speed limitations, and req'd equipement and pilot certificate.
2) Tell us the transponder requirements in US airspace.
3) Tell us how to determine whether an inop piece of equip is req'd (and dont say 91.205)
4) Tell us how a magneto works and what an impulse coupler is.
5) Tell us if you can, at night, in Class G airspace with 1 SM visibility go do touch and go's at an airport, legally under VFR.
6) Where do you find endorsements?
7) What inspections are required for the aircraft for VFR and IFR? How about the transponder? ELT? Where is this found in the regs?
8) What are flaps and their purpose?
9) Tell us the seatbelt regs. If my Piper has a shoulder harness (which it does) seperate from my lap belt, can I take that off, as PIC, once I am in flight? How about on the ground? Do my passengers have to wear it?
10) Do you have to have both your anti-collision lights (strobes) and beacon (tail) on during the day?
11) Can students pilots fly in class B? When and where?
Okay, get that homework done. Report the answers to us and I'll think of some more.
Ummkay?
1) Tell me (us) the cloud clearances for A, B, C, D, E, G airpace, speed limitations, and req'd equipement and pilot certificate.
2) Tell us the transponder requirements in US airspace.
3) Tell us how to determine whether an inop piece of equip is req'd (and dont say 91.205)
4) Tell us how a magneto works and what an impulse coupler is.
5) Tell us if you can, at night, in Class G airspace with 1 SM visibility go do touch and go's at an airport, legally under VFR.
6) Where do you find endorsements?
7) What inspections are required for the aircraft for VFR and IFR? How about the transponder? ELT? Where is this found in the regs?
8) What are flaps and their purpose?
9) Tell us the seatbelt regs. If my Piper has a shoulder harness (which it does) seperate from my lap belt, can I take that off, as PIC, once I am in flight? How about on the ground? Do my passengers have to wear it?
10) Do you have to have both your anti-collision lights (strobes) and beacon (tail) on during the day?
11) Can students pilots fly in class B? When and where?
Okay, get that homework done. Report the answers to us and I'll think of some more.
Ummkay?
Here is my full report from my initial CFI last March.
http://forums.jetcareers.com/showthread.php?t=25353
All the stuff Merit said and . . . .
1. What are your procedures for enter a traffic pattern at a non towered airport (be ready to draw)
2. What are the effects of an aft cg on performance and stability, and why?
3. What is the minimum number of solo hours you need to see on an 8710 for a commercial applicant?
4. Tell me everything (and they do mean everything) about a VFR sectional.
5. What is the recommended psi for your airplane's nose wheel and the mains?
6. Why is there a twist in some aircraft wings and what does this do to help us?
It's early, I have to go fly but I will think of more later :sitaware:
Take your time and I second the statement earlier of not pulling things outta your butt because they will call you on it.
1. What are your procedures for enter a traffic pattern at a non towered airport (be ready to draw)
2. What are the effects of an aft cg on performance and stability, and why?
3. What is the minimum number of solo hours you need to see on an 8710 for a commercial applicant?
4. Tell me everything (and they do mean everything) about a VFR sectional.
5. What is the recommended psi for your airplane's nose wheel and the mains?
6. Why is there a twist in some aircraft wings and what does this do to help us?
It's early, I have to go fly but I will think of more later :sitaware:
Take your time and I second the statement earlier of not pulling things outta your butt because they will call you on it.
Snickersnwa
Well-Known Member
In addition to everything everyone else has said… I had a few scenarios with FAR 61.63 that were fun... and endorsements. I would take a careful look at AC61.65E and make sure you are familiar with endorsements and the regs that they're citing
nosehair
Well-Known Member
OK,ok,okok; here's one! I remember this one from my ride back in '63.
You're sittin' in the front seat of a Cub wth a '65 horse engine; it's cranked & runnin'. The problem is that you are facing the wall of a hangar, and the 90 degree left turn that you will have to make looks very close.
The distance from the left wheel, about which you will pivot, to the right wing tip, that might scrape the hangar wall, is about 18 feet.
It looks like you have about 18.5 feet to make the turn.
How will you hold the flight controls to minimize the turning radius?
You're sittin' in the front seat of a Cub wth a '65 horse engine; it's cranked & runnin'. The problem is that you are facing the wall of a hangar, and the 90 degree left turn that you will have to make looks very close.
The distance from the left wheel, about which you will pivot, to the right wing tip, that might scrape the hangar wall, is about 18 feet.
It looks like you have about 18.5 feet to make the turn.
How will you hold the flight controls to minimize the turning radius?
jrh
Well-Known Member
I would put my left hand on the stick and my right hand on the mixture control. I'd then pull the mixture to idle-cutoff. Then I'd jump out and move the plane by hand.
Is that what the examiner was looking for?
nosehair
Well-Known Member
Nope. That is a good "safe" answer, but the examiner wants to know if you really know the aerodynamics of the flight controls, and how they may or may not assist in ground handling.
Truthfully, this was more important back in the tailwheel days, but is still true today, but has been lost in the world of tricycle gear airplanes.
Forget it. You won't get it - it was an attempt at 'Old Man' humor.
Truthfully, this was more important back in the tailwheel days, but is still true today, but has been lost in the world of tricycle gear airplanes.
Forget it. You won't get it - it was an attempt at 'Old Man' humor.
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
desertdog71
Girthy Member
I wouldn't have fired up the plane in such close quarters.
Not sure on the elevator.
dgRoot
Well-Known Member
Here are a few part 61 reg questions to chew on.
Can you give a flight review from the back seat of an airplane?
Can you sign someone off to solo in a different aircraft than the pre-solo training was conducted in? (Cessna 150 if trained in a Cessna 152)
If a pilot had a flight review in a helecopter does it count for his fixed wing flight review? What if he had it in a blimp?
can you give flight instruction in a tailwheel airplane if you are not endorsed?
Can you give commercial flight instruction without a medical certificate?
Can you give flight instruction in a high performance airplane without an endorsement?
Can you act as a safety pilot in a complex airplane without an endorsement?
A solo helecopter student is stranded at your airport due to weather. He wants to leave the next day. can you as a CFI fixed wing endorse him for that cross country?
I'll try to think of a few more if you want them...
-Dave
Can you give a flight review from the back seat of an airplane?
Can you sign someone off to solo in a different aircraft than the pre-solo training was conducted in? (Cessna 150 if trained in a Cessna 152)
If a pilot had a flight review in a helecopter does it count for his fixed wing flight review? What if he had it in a blimp?
can you give flight instruction in a tailwheel airplane if you are not endorsed?
Can you give commercial flight instruction without a medical certificate?
Can you give flight instruction in a high performance airplane without an endorsement?
Can you act as a safety pilot in a complex airplane without an endorsement?
A solo helecopter student is stranded at your airport due to weather. He wants to leave the next day. can you as a CFI fixed wing endorse him for that cross country?
I'll try to think of a few more if you want them...
-Dave
desertdog71
Girthy Member
No, no, no and no, no, no, no, yes and no.
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
I think I'll take a stab at these just for proficiency.
1) Legally? I dont know of any AC or reg that says otherwise.
2) 61.87(c)(1) says make and model so, nope.
3) 61.56(a)(2), nope.
4) 61.195 make no mention of such limitations. If the pilot were already endorsed to fly tail wheel airplanes, I am going to say yes as long as you are not "acting" as PIC.
5) 61.23(b)(5) says a flight instructor may give instruction without a medical if they're not "acting" as PIC or a required crewmember.
6) As long as you're not "acting" as PIC, yes. A CFI doesn't need to be acting as PIC when instructing.
7) Yes. 91.109(b)(1) makes no mention of proper endorsements.
8) No. You do not have a rotar wing rating on your certificate (assumingly).