After being out of flying due to my job for just over 5 years, I decided to get back in it in 2014 and finish up what i started years ago.
To break down the entire process for those interested, I trained in Tucson. I can't thank the school enough for their help, all of their instructors are top notch, and i will definitely go back to them for my future ratings. They are great to work with.
Anyway, I contacted the Scottsdale FSDO in late October to schedule and heard back about a week later. It was the DPE who was assigned to me due to the backup in the Scottsdale FSDO and the fact I requested the ride to be in Tucson. We scheduled the ride for the first week of December, fee was $1200.
Day started at 7 with the get-to-know you and small talk portion, and the explanation at how many people fail this on their first attempt. Then I was informed about the Vegas FSDO getting in trouble for giving out to many CFI certificates on the first attempt. This wasn't fun to hear, and not the best for my confidence either.
The oral was straight and to the point, he told me all he wanted was accurate and correct answers. He didn't care if I had to go to the library and find an answer, I was to use any and all resources to find answers. He also told me that as soon as I taught the wrong info, it would be over. Teaching wrong information to him was an automatic bust, and i was to stay within the scenario at all times.
Once the oral started, it was pretty smooth. It was about 6 hours in length, including a "working" lunch at the nearby restaurant. I was very nervous about the oral, but once it started I calmed down and never really had any issues or trouble.
After the oral, it was on to the pre-flight which included us laying on our backs under the plane for about 15 talking about landing gear systems, brakes, tires, etc. With questions, teaching, and other discussion, the pre-flight lasted about an hour.
We took a break after the pre-flight so he could make a phone call. Once he returned, he said one more question before we fly. He asked me a question regarding the engine that I didn't know. I said I don't know (didn't want to teach the wrong information). I said I would need to look it up, he then said "Come on, I know you know this." I said I didn't know, he said "yes you do, at least give it a shot." So i guessed, he asked if it was my final answer, I said yes and was informed I had just failed for teaching the wrong information. It was my fault, I shouldn't have taken the bait and fell out of the scenario. So we did the paperwork, rescheduled, and he informed me that at the next appointment all we would be doing is flying, no more oral, and then he headed home.
The flight ended up taking place last week. He showed up, collected another $600 from me, and we got in the plane. A few commercial maneuvers, some private stuff, one emergency procedure and it was over. The flight was 1.8, but seemed like it was about 15 minutes. No trouble at all.
All in all, it was a great experience to train and get this rating. I know a lot of people stress out over the CFI, but looking back at it, you already know everything, now you just have to pass your knowledge to someone else. The flying is still the same, and the information is exactly what you learn as a private and commercial student.
I'm glad to answer any questions or pass on information if anyone would like. Just PM me. Happy New Year everyone!
To break down the entire process for those interested, I trained in Tucson. I can't thank the school enough for their help, all of their instructors are top notch, and i will definitely go back to them for my future ratings. They are great to work with.
Anyway, I contacted the Scottsdale FSDO in late October to schedule and heard back about a week later. It was the DPE who was assigned to me due to the backup in the Scottsdale FSDO and the fact I requested the ride to be in Tucson. We scheduled the ride for the first week of December, fee was $1200.
Day started at 7 with the get-to-know you and small talk portion, and the explanation at how many people fail this on their first attempt. Then I was informed about the Vegas FSDO getting in trouble for giving out to many CFI certificates on the first attempt. This wasn't fun to hear, and not the best for my confidence either.
The oral was straight and to the point, he told me all he wanted was accurate and correct answers. He didn't care if I had to go to the library and find an answer, I was to use any and all resources to find answers. He also told me that as soon as I taught the wrong info, it would be over. Teaching wrong information to him was an automatic bust, and i was to stay within the scenario at all times.
Once the oral started, it was pretty smooth. It was about 6 hours in length, including a "working" lunch at the nearby restaurant. I was very nervous about the oral, but once it started I calmed down and never really had any issues or trouble.
After the oral, it was on to the pre-flight which included us laying on our backs under the plane for about 15 talking about landing gear systems, brakes, tires, etc. With questions, teaching, and other discussion, the pre-flight lasted about an hour.
We took a break after the pre-flight so he could make a phone call. Once he returned, he said one more question before we fly. He asked me a question regarding the engine that I didn't know. I said I don't know (didn't want to teach the wrong information). I said I would need to look it up, he then said "Come on, I know you know this." I said I didn't know, he said "yes you do, at least give it a shot." So i guessed, he asked if it was my final answer, I said yes and was informed I had just failed for teaching the wrong information. It was my fault, I shouldn't have taken the bait and fell out of the scenario. So we did the paperwork, rescheduled, and he informed me that at the next appointment all we would be doing is flying, no more oral, and then he headed home.
The flight ended up taking place last week. He showed up, collected another $600 from me, and we got in the plane. A few commercial maneuvers, some private stuff, one emergency procedure and it was over. The flight was 1.8, but seemed like it was about 15 minutes. No trouble at all.
All in all, it was a great experience to train and get this rating. I know a lot of people stress out over the CFI, but looking back at it, you already know everything, now you just have to pass your knowledge to someone else. The flying is still the same, and the information is exactly what you learn as a private and commercial student.
I'm glad to answer any questions or pass on information if anyone would like. Just PM me. Happy New Year everyone!