CFI Study Materials (Written and oral)

elmetal

elmetal

Ain't nobody got time for that
So I understand that sometime in the past 12 months the question bank for the FOI has completely changed to the point where I remember a LOT of people complaining about the test being different from study material.

Has study material caught up?

what books/cds are a good study guide for someone like me studying up for a CFI/II (preferably CFII initial due to ticking time bomb on my CFII Written which is done already)?

I am trying to do this as cost effective as possible while I continue working at my job so I really don't have the time or money for 30 day CFI schools and whatnot, but I also don't want to half ass it. I want to do the best I can do, but sort of on my own time if you get what I mean.

Thanks in advance you guys. Also anyone wondering about MEI, that'll be later. One step at a time.
 
after reading several threads, I want to clarify that I'm NOT trying to game the system by going II first. I simply took my CFII at the same time as my IR which was about... 18 months ago.

I do not want that written to expire and I don't know if I can do CFI and CFII in 6 months, that's my only concern. I'll study up as much as possible, but if I start coming close to the deadline I'll have to go CFII first, and I'll have to suffer any consequences (like for example the DPE thinking I'm gaming the system and fail me or some other occurrence)
 
You'll still need to know the FOI stuff - and pass the FOI knowledge test- even if you do the Double-I first

The CFI-A knowledge test is basically just another commercial test (in the same way that the CFII test is basically just the Instrument test)
 
Mike H said:
You'll still need to know the FOI stuff - and pass the FOI knowledge test- even if you do the Double-I first

The CFI-A knowledge test is basically just another commercial test (in the same way that the CFII test is basically just the Instrument test)
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right, but what I mean is: What is the best way to prepare for the FOI written as well as CFIA written. along with also what should I be studying otherwise?

I'm just scared that I'll study the usual way (read a big ass book which I actually enjoy doing, then read the exam review guide thing that they have (Q+A) front to back) and then fail because of the new exams. I wonder if the new study material is updated is all.
 
elmetal said:
right, but what I mean is: What is the best way to prepare for the FOI written as well as CFIA written. along with also what should I be studying otherwise?

I'm just scared that I'll study the usual way (read a big ass book which I actually enjoy doing, then read the exam review guide thing that they have (Q+A) front to back) and then fail because of the new exams. I wonder if the new study material is updated is all.
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Sheppard Air is all you need :cool:
 
middies10 said:
Sheppard Air is all you need :cool:
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is the :cool: sarcasm or real? Is Sheppard air actually a good way to prep?

I've always done: Read a lot of books (like I mentioned I enjoy this a lot), read the question books (both ASA and gleim) front to back, and then pass.

What I mean is, I want to learn, not memorize for the test. I know it's stupid in a lot of people's eyes but it's important to me
 
elmetal said:
What I mean is, I want to learn, not memorize for the test. I know it's stupid in a lot of people's eyes but it's important to me
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It's not stupid in the least, but as a practical matter, you pretty much have to memorize the FOI stuff.
 
Mike H said:
It's not stupid in the least, but as a practical matter, you pretty much have to memorize the FOI stuff.
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no doubt I'll have to memorize for the exam in particular, but I actually want to know the stuff as well. that's what Imeant!
 
elmetal said:
no doubt I'll have to memorize for the exam in particular, but I actually want to know the stuff as well. that's what Imeant!
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If I was you, I would use Sheppard Air to prepare for your exam using rote memorization. After you pass the exam, study what you wish with the FOI for your checkride. The FOI test is really picking tidbits of the the AIH and throwing it into the exam.
 
middies10 said:
If I was you, I would use Sheppard Air to prepare for your exam using rote memorization. After you pass the exam, study what you wish with the FOI for your checkride. The FOI test is really picking tidbits of the the AIH and throwing it into the exam.
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I think that's what I'll do. Sheppard seems like a good price.

as far as the rest of the stuff, is the AIH good study? What else? I've heard Kershners Instructor manual is good for creating lesson plans.
 
elmetal said:
I think that's what I'll do. Sheppard seems like a good price.

as far as the rest of the stuff, is the AIH good study? What else? I've heard Kershners Instructor manual is good for creating lesson plans.
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When it comes to studying, I used the AIH. I feel it is laid out very well and provides the info in a clear and concise format. I also used the Gleim book. It was mainly used to assist me in making outlines/lesson plans. Other than those two, I used the standard FAA publications (AFH, PHAK, etc)
 
Stick to the FAA publications for the books you need to read and Sheppard for the written. This means read the FOI, PHAK, AFH, and Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators. You can then supliment them with whatever else you would like. But you should have already read the PHAK and AFH at some point during your training. So what I reccomend is that you read the FOI and then start making lesson plans. On your lesson plans you should have references to the FAA pubs that students can reference for information. When making the lesson plans you can brush up your reading on subject areas that you dont feel prepared to teach as you make the lesson plan for them.
 
Read the "new" (2008) Aviation Instructors Handbook several times through, make notes, outline, whatever you need to do to really understand the concepts and especially the terminology. Then, you really need to buy a test prep for the FOI written test, as the questions are awful. I did well using Dauntless for the FOI written. Lots of people recommend Sheppard as well.
 
thanks.

Now here's a more real life practical question:

If I get my CFI with an instructor I used to fly with (used to work at a school, is now freelance), are my chances of a job any different from say if I go to American Flyers?

I'm wondering because AF is close to my house so I could technically do that instead, but I have extreme confidence in this CFI, and I'm 100% sure I'd spend way less than 3000 to get the rating.

While we're at it. DPE or FSDO for the checkride?
 
Your employment chances as a CFI are probably 100% with a place like AF. For the checkride, it depends on the local FSDO. Some of them require you to do the checkride with them (which is no charge, btw) Others are busy enough that they'll let you use a DPE, ut limit your choice to one or two examiners. Should be no difference in difficulty. I did mine with the FSDO and I thought it was thorough, but not horrifyingly difficult. Don't fear the FSDO
 
Mike H said:
Your employment chances as a CFI are probably 100% with a place like AF. For the checkride, it depends on the local FSDO. Some of them require you to do the checkride with them (which is no charge, btw) Others are busy enough that they'll let you use a DPE, ut limit your choice to one or two examiners. Should be no difference in difficulty. I did mine with the FSDO and I thought it was thorough, but not horrifyingly difficult. Don't fear the FSDO
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is employment from doing it with a freelance CFI the way I plan on doing harder to come by since it's the first job?

I'm trying to weigh my options. if AF can guarantee employment, it's well worth their cost.
 
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