CFI Interview

SkiHigh2002

SkiHigh2002

New Member
I received a much awaited call today from the local flight school in Smyrna, TN to schedule a job interview. Now I'm nervous, what should I expect from this interview? What are the things Wings of Eagles will be looking for? Should I brush up on regs in preparation for airline-style questions?

Also, I've got about a six month gap in flying right now. I got my CFI in October 2005 and have done relatively little flying since. The main reason being a lack of time and a definite lack of money. Is there a better way to "spin" this lack of recent experience better than "I used every last dime I had to get my CFI so paying for non-training related flying was out of the question. I also chose to pursue my Masters in Aerospace Education and I concentrating on beginning that this past semester." Sound good?

Any tips, suggestions, or comments are VERY much appreciated.


Chris Carnett
Murfreesboro, TN
 
SkiHigh2002 said:
I received a much awaited call today from the local flight school in Smyrna, TN to schedule a job interview. Now I'm nervous, what should I expect from this interview? What are the things Wings of Eagles will be looking for? Should I brush up on regs in preparation for airline-style questions?

Also, I've got about a six month gap in flying right now. I got my CFI in October 2005 and have done relatively little flying since. The main reason being a lack of time and a definite lack of money. Is there a better way to "spin" this lack of recent experience better than "I used every last dime I had to get my CFI so paying for non-training related flying was out of the question. I also chose to pursue my Masters in Aerospace Education and I concentrating on beginning that this past semester." Sound good?

Any tips, suggestions, or comments are VERY much appreciated.


Chris Carnett
Murfreesboro, TN
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I wouldn't say anything about your monetary issues. Just talk about working on your degree and leave it at that. Don't try to sugar coat it, just tell it like it is. A degree in education should be a big help in getting a job teaching.

Other than that, know the regs concerning instruction very well. Know when you can and can't sign someone off for anything. Know the records you must keep. Know the regs regarding the various certificates and ratings you are qualified to teach toward (know what certificates and ratings those are).

Be able to teach any topic related to the certificates and ratings you are qualified to teach.

What would you do with a pilot who was pressuring you for a signature (for a BFR for example)?

What would you do about a student who violates your trust on a solo flight?

What are the recommended traffic pattern entry and exit procedures?

Why does an airplane climb?

Teach me how an engine works, I've never even heard of a four stroke engine.

That's all I got. It's late.
 
I have a lot of landings logged at Smyrna... I did my ASEL add-on at BNA. Good luck and have fun!
 
Not sure exactly what they are gonna ask you, but good luck on the interview. I did my ASEL at Wings of Eagles and it is a great organization with real nice people. Kellie left me a message yesterday asking if I wanted to work there but unfortunately 4 months too late....I am CFI-ing up in sunny ol' Michigan. I would brush up at least on the FAR-AIM and HR type questions. Anyway, tell us how it all went.
 
A CFI interview can have such a large range of how easy to hard it is. I've heard horror stories from both extremes. I'm senior in high school and just finished interviewing with a flight school in the city where I'm attending college and it honestly lasted no longer than 15 minutes (minus the tour after the interview). It was very quick and nothing technical or regulations related.

How long do you plan to live here?
How would you descibe yourself?
Why do you want to fly or why are you a pilot?
What are your future career aspirations?
Do you have a specific way to teach students?

That's honestly about the general question bank I got. They never asked to see my lesson plans or my logbook. I interviewed with 2 flight schools in this city and one was mostly them talking to me rather than me talking and other was quick but both asked about the same questions.
 
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