Time limit for initial CFI checkride?

Blackhawk

Blackhawk

Well-Known Member
I've heard FSDOs have 30 days to give an initial CFI check ride, then they are supposed to "farm it out" to DEs. Anyone have a reference?
Thanks.
 
Generally if the FSDO cannot accomodate you in a reasonable amount of time they can designate a DPE. I don't know if there is a time limit because I haven't looked it up. Scuttlebutt is that it's either 30 or 60 days
 
Blackhawk said:
I've heard FSDOs have 30 days to give an initial CFI check ride, then they are supposed to "farm it out" to DEs. Anyone have a reference?
Thanks.
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Thats my last stand of information too. If the wait is over a certain amount of days they can designate it out. Since everyone is affraid of the FAA, people actually pay darn good money for these CFI checkrides.
 
2 weeks, I guess. Note the use of the word "may" instead of "must"

a) FSDOs may designate FIEs to conduct flight instructor practical tests for the initial issuance of the flight instructor certificate with RFSD manager’s approval. When an appointment cannot be made with an FAA ASI within 2 weeks, the FSDO may direct an applicant to a selected FIE, in accordance with the following:

1.The FSDO must:
· Review the qualifications of FIEs or other examiners whom it deems highly qualified,
· Create a pool of the most qualified examiners to administer initial flight instructor practical tests,
· Notify the examiners that they are being considered to administer the tests, and
· Inform the examiners that administering the tests is subject to approval by the RFSD manager and to cancellation, at any time and without cause, by the FSDO.
2.The examiner must consent to conduct such tests.
3.When allowed, the FSDO will direct applicants to an FIE nearest the applicant’s location. When several examiners are available within a 50-mile radius of the applicant, the FSDO should select examiners on a rotating basis.
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It does say "may". Not "will" or "shall". I wouldn't go quoting that to the FAA and demand your DPE.
 
I hear ya, I also wouldn't schedule the ride if your not ready...FAA or DPE you better have your ducks all lined up nice and pretty.
 
From what I hear ATL is one of the busiest ones.

On a side note, I gotta say that my initial CFI was the most enjoyable check-ride I have had. It was with the FAA, it was not the ball breaker I was prepared for (maybe I was over prepared and thats why it was so much fun) but the inspector I had was more interested in showing me the "tricks of the trade" and was happy to be out of the office for the day.

I found him to be as fair and easy going as any DPE I've been to for my other rides.

But like others have said. Go in either knowing everything or knowing where to find it. Everything you have learned up to this point is fair game. Expect to be asked anything.
 
This reminds me of my Grandfather. Except for his type-rating rides, he had the FAA (or CAB in the day) do ALL of his checkrides because he was "too cheap" to pay a DPE!!!
 
There is a wide variance from FSDO to FSDO. Some of that variance comes from the staffing level, some from the geography of the FSDO, some from the available examiner pool, and some from just plain managerial philosophy. The best advice I could give is to talk with the operations supervisor and ask what their procedures are.

If there is a preference, there is nothing wrong with requesting a certain examiner or inspector. If money or time is an issue, just tell the supervisor that the applicant is on a tight budget and would prefer an inspector or vice versa that the applicant is on a tight time schedule and would prefer whoever could be available soonest.
 
I just got my CFI in early February after initially giving the FSDO (PWM) the call in early December. They told me to call back after New Years. I did so and got it scheduled for mid-late January. The option of a designated examiner never came up, although I was kind of hoping for it. Overall, the check ride was not nearly as bad as I expected. Probably the result of all those stagechecks in college programs.
 
The PWM FSDO is a bunch of cool cats.

The person that did my AGI paperwork was the same person that gave my Dad his ATP and Saab type.

I think 75% of the people there used to fly for Bar Harbor Airlines. At least it always seems that way.
 
OldTownPilot said:
The PWM FSDO is a bunch of cool cats.

The person that did my AGI paperwork was the same person that gave my Dad his ATP and Saab type.

I think 75% of the people there used to fly for Bar Harbor Airlines. At least it always seems that way.
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:yeahthat: Great group at PWM for sure
 
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