CFI without FOI

Jet

Jet

Well-Known Member
I'm currently working on my CFI and I would prefer not to take the FOI written exam. I instruct at ERAU so according to the regs it is okay for me to bypass the exam. My question is what would I take with me to the checkride to show the FAA examiner that I am exempt from the FOI?
 
Jet said:
I'm currently working on my CFI and I would prefer not to take the FOI written exam. I instruct at ERAU so according to the regs it is okay for me to bypass the exam. My question is what would I take with me to the checkride to show the FAA examiner that I am exempt from the FOI?
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you will have to teach/display competence on the checkride anyway, so just go take the written?
 
Blip16 said:
you will have to teach/display competence on the checkride anyway, so just go take the written?
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Why would anyone want to spend the money to take the test if they didn't have to. Not to mention the wasted time studying for a test that was just changed and no longer plays by the rules we all grew accustomed with- to perhaps have to repay/retake?

To the OP, I'd call and ask at the FSDO to find out. A pay stub from ERAU and something indicating your title as an instructor (offer letter/biz card) may do.
 
highspeed said:
Why would anyone want to spend the money to take the test if they didn't have to?
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One argument for taking FOI when not technically required to is because on a CFI-Initial the examiner will often dig in deep expecting you to regurgitate and explain according to the "FAA Way", which means complete understanding of the Aviation Instructors Handbook...aka the FOI Exam. Completing the FOI helps assure you've got the stuff memorized and "may" help satisfy an examiner's curiosity about your qualifications to teach. If you're using the professional educator option and skipping FOI it "may" cause an examiner to dig in a little extra to see just how much of the "FAA Way" you really understand. There seems to be an extreme variety of personalities you might encounter with an FAA examiner, so stacking the odds in your favor is usually considered a good idea.
 
Jet said:
I'm currently working on my CFI and I would prefer not to take the FOI written exam. I instruct at ERAU so according to the regs it is okay for me to bypass the exam. My question is what would I take with me to the checkride to show the FAA examiner that I am exempt from the FOI?
Click to expand...

I was a university instructor and I provided a letter from the Dean of my college to the FSDO and Inspector verifying that. Worked fine with no issue.
 
Still wouldn't spend the money on the test if I didn't have to, can learn from the AIH and pocket the money.
 
rframe said:
One argument for taking FOI when not technically required to is because on a CFI-Initial the examiner will often dig in deep expecting you to regurgitate and explain according to the "FAA Way", which means complete understanding of the Aviation Instructors Handbook...aka the FOI Exam. Completing the FOI helps assure you've got the stuff memorized and "may" help satisfy an examiner's curiosity about your qualifications to teach. If you're using the professional educator option and skipping FOI it "may" cause an examiner to dig in a little extra to see just how much of the "FAA Way" you really understand. There seems to be an extreme variety of personalities you might encounter with an FAA examiner, so stacking the odds in your favor is usually considered a good idea.
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Good point but have you heard about what the FAA did with the FOI written back in February of this year? Pilots have learned the Aviation Instructor's Handbook cold and still failed the FOI written due to the semantics of sub-par written exam questions.

highspeed said:
Still wouldn't spend the money on the test if I didn't have to, can learn from the AIH and pocket the money.
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My thoughts exactly. I just took the FIA and it cost me $150.


Ian J said:
I was a university instructor and I provided a letter from the Dean of my college to the FSDO and Inspector verifying that. Worked fine with no issue.
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Awesome, thank you. :)
 
good luck Jet!

Can you let us know if the examiner still chooses to skip the FOI portion during the oral? I've heard some examiners still go through the whole process.
 
Krieger said:
good luck Jet!

Can you let us know if the examiner still chooses to skip the FOI portion during the oral? I've heard some examiners still go through the whole process.
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Thanks. Every practical test that I've ever taken involved an oral going over the same exact material that I just took on the written exam earlier so I'll assume the CFI is no different. I plan on being prepared to explain FOI by studying the AIH.
 
Same exact material? I thought that's why we all went out and bought cheat sheets and then forgot all that garbage the very next day. I'm amazed. I've never been asked anything regarding hazardous attitudes of flying, microwave landing systems, NDB stuff, MH+RB=MB, etc.
 
Krieger said:
good luck Jet!

Can you let us know if the examiner still chooses to skip the FOI portion during the oral? I've heard some examiners still go through the whole process.
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My inspector went over FOI extensively during the oral even though I wasn't required to take the written.
 
I'm sure that all examiners vary to a degree, but in general, what does the FOI portion of the oral entail? I have made flashcards for most of the stuff, so I can tell you the definition of things and have most of the lists memorized. Do they go deeper than that? The reason I ask is because the AIH is so meaty and detailed compared to my ASA Oral Test Prep book, which is very concise.
 
My FOI on the oral covered the required task, Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Task A, The Learning Process. He opened up the PTS to Task A, and said, "Tell me about this."
I don't remember the next 6 hours. :)
 
Shiner said:
I'm sure that all examiners vary to a degree, but in general, what does the FOI portion of the oral entail? I have made flashcards for most of the stuff, so I can tell you the definition of things and have most of the lists memorized. Do they go deeper than that? The reason I ask is because the AIH is so meaty and detailed compared to my ASA Oral Test Prep book, which is very concise.
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i had to teach it.
 
On my CFI initial ride the FAA examiner told me to take out the PTS, read each section, and describe each section fully until he told me to stop. Basically, if I didn't know the "principle's of learning, defense mechanisms, characteristics of learning, etc." I would have been grasping at straws. I'm sure as a professor you are a great teacher; however, the FAA wants you to know how they think you should be teaching flight students.
 
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