Scottsdale FSDO

A

AZ Flyer

New Member
Hey everyone, long time reader, but first time posting.

My question is, has anyone recently scheduled an initial CFI ride with the Scottsdale FSDO (for a flight in Tucson)? The most recent experience I found on here was back in February, and they were referred to a DPE. The reason I ask is I am currently displaced for work (I'm property of the gov't), and am very close to finishing my training. I will have about a month (mid July to late August) from when I get back to Tucson until I head to Europe for a bit, and I would like to finish up and take the ride before I leave. I am just wondering if I need to contact the FSDO now if they are scheduling rides far in advance, or if I should just wait and hope it can be scheduled when the time comes? I appreciate any info anyone has, and I apologize if I missed something while doing searches to educate myself on this. Thank you.
 
How much do you lack finishing the training?
If within a week, call them. If longer you may want to wait. If you schedule, cancel, schedule, cancel etc. you may have a problem getting scheduled when you are ready.
Inspectors have a lot on their plate to do so it's not like if you don't show up they sit around eating Bon Bon's and drinking coffee (even tho people think they do) but it sure plays havoc with a schedule.
 
Did my cfi in March, at double eagle in tucson. All cfi initials were being done by dpe's. there are only 5 dpe's that they use for cfi initials. When you request the checkride through the fsdo they have 2 weeks to schedule the checkride with a dpe. The assign you a dpe for the cfi initial, using a rotating schedule, you dont have a choice.
From my personal experience the dpe I was assigned was unable to complete the checkride with in 2 weeks because of his work schedule so 3 days after I initially requested the cfi checkride it was reassigned to a different dpe who did it the following week. From what I have seen Scottsdale is pretty good with getting CFI inital checkrides completed with in 2 weeks from when requested.
Also dont think that by having a DPE you will have an easier ride. My oral was 7 hours and the flight was 1.9 on the hobbs. Also they are charging $1200 for the cfi initial checkride ($1000 for the ride + $200 travel fee to travel to KTUS from the PHX area). This price was the same amoung all 5 dpe's.
 
Miked3016 said:
Did my cfi in March, at double eagle in tucson. All cfi initials were being done by dpe's. there are only 5 dpe's that they use for cfi initials. When you request the checkride through the fsdo they have 2 weeks to schedule the checkride with a dpe. The assign you a dpe for the cfi initial, using a rotating schedule, you dont have a choice.
From my personal experience the dpe I was assigned was unable to complete the checkride with in 2 weeks because of his work schedule so 3 days after I initially requested the cfi checkride it was reassigned to a different dpe who did it the following week. From what I have seen Scottsdale is pretty good with getting CFI inital checkrides completed with in 2 weeks from when requested.
Also dont think that by having a DPE you will have an easier ride. My oral was 7 hours and the flight was 1.9 on the hobbs. Also they are charging $1200 for the cfi initial checkride ($1000 for the ride + $200 travel fee to travel to KTUS from the PHX area). This price was the same amoung all 5 dpe's.
Click to expand...
$1200?! Yikes. And here I thought the $600 I paid a DE for my CFI initial out of the Vegas FSDO was high.
 
Yeh its getting crazy now. $800 for CFII initial in S Florida. Why not go to the FAA (free) then if fail (some people still think you should fail first time) spend the money on 3 hours flight instruction - you learn more in the process.
 
If you don't mind who did your check from phoenix? @Miked3016
We have a two dpe's on staff at our school. Are you saying there is no way whatsoever to choose them? It's all assigned by the fsdo in scottsdale?
 
As I understand it, FSDOs can delegate to the DPE but for an initial, they give the school 2 they must pick from. Add-ons are less of an issue. That seems to be the way it works in AZ and FL. Some accept CFII as the initial, some don't.

Alex.
 
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