CFI School - progress thread

No doubt, but still, it was 3 years back in the Arrow. I feel/felt confident re: stalls, slow flight, lazy eights etc, but with a yelling examiner who flew with me yesterday...

Will take it one flight at a time.

Alex.
 
Ok, that was Day 12 (0700-1900), Yesterday's update

Day 13 (0700-1800) I got to fly the RG twice, 4.7 total. I got to know the quirks, and did all the stalls, lazy 8s, chandelles, steep spiral, 8s on pylons, landing gear malfunction, steep turns. 2nd flight was working on landings + takeoffs - short and soft field are ok, p-off 180 is tougher but will come with practice. I messed up a forward slip, used to be excellent with those...

The examiner cancelled today, which I wasnt quite ready for anyway, so Wednesday is still the aim.

Alex.
 
Day 14 0730-1730

Airplane Add-on Ground (Aerodynamics, Weight & Balance). Am doing my own ground given I was more than fine last time, so saving money there (no paid sim time either), today was a 172RG flight, maneuvers are coming along. Landings less practice, as we had winds gusting 25 as storms moved in, but all maneuvers are fine, just tweaking lazy 8s etc. A couple of 172RG flights tomorrow as needed then Check-ride wednesday.

Alex.
 
Day 15 0730-2030

Flying 2x 172 RG again. First flight with a new instructor, all maneuvers went fine, with some lazy 8 tweaking needed. He made me do 10 chandelles though, not sure what was going on there.

We were going to do landings but had a radio fail and tower told us to taxi to the ramp, so only a 0.5. Check-ride moved from tomorrow, but very close to a sign-off.
 
Day 16 0730-1730

Tried to fly the RG in the pattern, someone took off before us SVFR, taxiied through some epic rain, but then the field was IFR when we called up, so taxiied back (we only had a short slot).

Ended up working on ATP written and Multi Engine Ground, to start tomorrow. I may have worked out an MEI checkride solution as they are short of options. Hoping for an RG sign off too.

Alex.
 
Day 17 0730-1730

Late update due to no wifi at the hotel, the schools is back on now, though they were redoing the bathroom flooring yesterday, hey ho,

They decided to start the MEI ground. Starting learning the C-310 is fun, though it can kill you, so much more to think about than a Seminole. Flying comes later today as well as an RG flight,

Alex.
 
Day 18 0730-1800

Revised Multi ground before a sim session 0900-1000. Flying the RG 1200-1500. Got my sign off for the Airplane add-on. Went through all maneuvers and lazy 8s good, short field great, power 180 perfect.

Then I was straight into the C-310, fun flight, that thing needs planning for. More tomorrow.

Alex.
 
Day 19 0730-1730

Atp written revision followed by C-310 maneuvers coming along, stalls, power off, on, accelerated.

Patterns and Vmc tomorrow.
 
Day 20 0730-1630 (averaging 10 hour days so far)

Did some more ATP written practice, and after a pass yesterday, 2 fails. Must do a couple of practices today. Have my written timetabled for 30th 8am.

Flew the 310 to Boca, landings coming on better, keeping up with it in the pattern.Vmc and drag demo 1st time through was fun but needs to get tighter.

Stay extended through 7th Aug.

Alex.
 
Day 21 0730-1700

Practicing ATP written, got a 71 but then 3x 68s. Hope to fix that today.

Also have been told to be ready for the airplane add-on check-ride on wednesday...

Alex.
 
Day 22 0730-2030

So check-ride is tomorrow, took an atp written, still in the 60s. Got prepped for the airplane add on, now to bed.

Alex.
 
Day 23 0630-1830

Ok so check-ride 7am show time with Brooks Black. A bit nervous as he is known around these parts but ground was fine, flight was fine, but power off 180s!!! I just couldn't make the spot, so went around. That is the only maneuver on the recheck. Kind annoyed but pleased I got 95% done.

ATP written coming up then flying to get signed off for that recheck. Also went to dinner with a couple of guys from the academy. We all passed our initials (and also failed once!) but good fun to have a small celebration.

Alex.
 
Thanks for sharing your experiences so far! I'm thinking about going here when I get my commercial. I had a question on the price, they advertise $3495 on the website, does it end up costing more than this typically?
 
That price gives you all the ground and 10 hours dual towards CFII and CFIA. They'll guarantee an initial but may suggest the add on is done back home, given demand for checkrides. Of course if you need more time for proficiency, this gets charged extra. But if you come prepared, this should be minimal.

Alex.
 
Day 25 0730-2100

Ground 8-11 on Vmc, excellent stuff, then flying 7-9, practicing power off 180s in the R model 172 for 7am the following day.

Alex.
 
Day 26 0630-1730

CFIA passed! Knocked out those power off 180s.

Also got my MEI signoff for Tuesday.

Alex.
 
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