Studying before CFI training

JaceTheAce

JaceTheAce

Well-Known Member
Besides the usual AFH, Jep Private Pilot manual, Jep Comm/Instrument manual, etc, what other books specifically for CFI training should I hit up to study for the CFI tests and checkride oral? I'll be starting my CFI training this summer.
 
I'm no CFI as of yet, but I just got a handful of the FAA books that turned out to be really good. They're free online too, but I couldn't stare at my computer screen that long. I got the Weather Services manual, Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (seems like it might be useful for lesson plans), and the Instrument books.

William Kershner wrote a few books that I hear are really good. I found his flight instructor manual at half price books for 7 bucks, but it's like the 1983 version or something. I haven't had time to look through it really, but the guy was a classic aviator and I've never heard anything but great things about him.

The advisory circular "Aerodynamics for Naval Aviatiors" is pretty sweet. I'm not sure if it would help much for your CFI stuff, but it's pretty interesting and you can probably blow the examiner away with some of the material from that one.

I have another books called "The Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics" by H.C. "Skip" Smith that is pretty solid, though not nearly as detailed as the Naval Aviators book.
 
It's pretty much spelled out for you in black and white in the PTS, man. That said, anything is pretty much game that could come up that isn't instrument training related. I didn't memorize everything, but I tried to be as familiar with everything as possible. I at least glanced through anything I could get my hands on.
 
Aviation Instructor's Handbook...required!! It's got all the FOI stuff.

Kershner has a pretty good book called "The Flight Instructor's Manual"...
 
I gotta second the Kershner book. That was one thing I didn't even know existed until the DPE wondered if I had ever read it. Got the chance to go through it a lot before the retest. :)
 
I'm studying the Aviation Instructor's Handbook, extensively reviewing the 14 CFR 61 and 91, and trying to wade through the sea of advisorly circulars that are relevant. I am doing all this in addition to the texts you have mentioned. I am also trying to expand on just the bare minimum by reading Skip Smith's Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics, Stick and Rudder, and The Savvy Flight Instructor. Good books.
 
MusketeerMan said:
Kershner has a pretty good book called "The Flight Instructor's Manual"...
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:yeahthat:

Or, I also liked the thought of learning though osmosis. Just sleep on your texts at night… works like a charm!

Seriously though, the PTS and AIH will help ya out a lot (as was already mentioned). Also, take a good look in the CFI ASEL/S PTS on page 3 and 4. (it outlines what the PTS is based off of and you should be familiar with all of the listed references)
 
Answer questions on forums that relate to training issues. No kidding. If someone asks a question that you don't know the asnwer to but have the materials to look it up, do it and figure out what your asnwer would be. If comfortable post it.

I don't know whether it's causitive or not, but the intellectual curitosity that doing it shows (or develops) is a great istructional mindset.
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
Answer questions on forums that relate to training issues. No kidding. If someone asks a question that you don't know the asnwer to but have the materials to look it up, do it and figure out what your asnwer would be. If comfortable post it.

I don't know whether it's causitive or not, but the intellectual curitosity that doing it shows (or develops) is a great istructional mindset.
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I agree with this - it's a great refresher to answer forum questions.
 
The PTS, man, the pts. Just the fact that you come asking that question, "what should I study?", tells me you haven't been trained to study the PTS for your Private and Commercial Certificates. If you had, you would know that the PTS has a study reference for each TASK.

Be able to find the reference in the PTS for each TASK and be able to teach it.

Kershner is great. I recommend reading all his stuff as well as Richard Bach, but none of their material is referenced in any PTS. You will need to know Kersner & Bach to be an effective flight instructor, but you will also need to know all the FAA publications which are referenced in the PTS to talk FAA lingo to the FAA inspector, or his designee. That's Job 1.
 
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