CFI Practical Exam (Checkride)

ADVANCE FLYING ACADEMY

CFI Practical Exam (Checkride)

The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practical Exam (Checkride) evaluates your ability to instruct students effectively while demonstrating mastery of flight maneuvers, aeronautical knowledge, and teaching techniques. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you prepare:

CFI Practical Exam Overview

Structure:
- Oral Exam:
  - Lasts 3–6 hours.
  - Focuses on teaching ability, aeronautical knowledge, regulations, and scenario-based discussions.
- Flight Portion:
  - Demonstrates instructional ability and proficiency in performing and teaching flight maneuvers.
Standard:
- Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for CFI provides the framework.
- You are assessed on your ability to teach rather than just fly.

Oral Exam Preparation

1. Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)

Teach learning principles:
- Laws of Learning: Readiness, Exercise, Effect, Primacy, Intensity, Recency.
Discuss student needs:
- Motivation, defense mechanisms, and barriers to learning.
Explain effective communication:
- Overcoming barriers like confusion and lack of experience.
Design a lesson plan:
- Include objectives, instructional aids, and evaluation methods.

2. Aerodynamics and Systems

Explain concepts as you would to a student:
- Lift, drag, thrust, weight relationships.
- Stability and control (longitudinal, lateral, directional).
Aircraft systems:
- Discuss the engine, electrical system, pitot-static system, and gyroscopic instruments.
Teaching common errors:
- Example: Explaining the mistake of skidding a turn and its impact.

3. Regulations and Endorsements

Know student endorsements required for:
- Solo flight, cross-country, night, and checkride preparation.
Be familiar with:
- Parts 61, 91, and 141.
- Instructor privileges and limitations.

4. Scenario-Based Teaching

Demonstrate instructional strategies for scenarios:
- Student struggling with crosswind landings.
- Responding to unexpected weather during a cross-country flight.
Discuss ADM and risk management:
- Use tools like the DECIDE model and PAVE checklist.

5. Weather Knowledge

Teach weather theory:
- Fronts, icing, turbulence, and thunderstorms.
Interpret weather products:
- METARs, TAFs, AIRMETs, and SIGMETs.

Flight Portion Preparation

1. General Expectations

You will perform maneuvers to practical test standards (PTS) and then explain how to teach them.
Focus on how to identify, correct, and prevent student errors.

2. Preflight Briefing

Explain checklist use, weather briefing, weight and balance, and risk assessment.
Instruct as if briefing a new student.

3. Flight Maneuvers (Private and Commercial Standards)

Demonstrate and teach the following:
- Ground reference maneuvers: Rectangular course, turns around a point.
- Takeoffs and landings:
  - Normal, crosswind, short field, soft field.
- Slow flight and stalls:
  - Power-on, power-off stalls, including recovery techniques.
  - Teaching common student errors (e.g., overcorrecting pitch in recovery).
- Steep turns and steep spirals:
  - How to maintain bank, altitude, and coordination.
- Emergency procedures:
  - Engine failures, forced landings, and teaching decision-making.
- Spin Awareness and Recovery:
  - Aerodynamics of spins and demonstrating proper recovery (if required).

4. Navigation and Instrument Flight

Teach basic VFR navigation:
- Pilotage, dead reckoning, and GPS use.
Explain instrument flight:
- Teaching basic attitude flying, VOR tracking, and partial panel operations.

5. Postflight Briefing

Critique your own performance as if you were evaluating a student.
Discuss errors made during the flight and their corrections.

Preparation Tips

Know the ACS:
- Familiarize yourself with the CFI ACS and ensure you meet all standards.
Practice Teaching:
- Teach maneuvers to peers, focusing on breaking down complex concepts.
Master Lesson Plans:
- Create detailed lesson plans for every phase of training.
- Include objectives, key teaching points, and potential errors.
Be Ready for Scenarios:
- Practice answering "What if?" questions.
- Example: "What would you do if your student froze during a landing attempt?"
Study Regulations:
- Be confident in discussing FARs related to student training, endorsements, and operational rules.
Check Aircraft Systems:
- Know your aircraft’s systems and limitations thoroughly.

Recommended Study Materials

Aviation Instructor’s Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9):
- Core reference for teaching techniques and FOI.
Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3):
- Focus on how to teach flight maneuvers.
CFI PTS/ACS:
- Guides what the examiner will evaluate.
Advisory Circular AC 61-65:
- Guidance on endorsements and instructor responsibilities.
Oral Exam Guides (ASA or Gleim):
- Practice common oral exam questions.

Common Questions

How would you explain slow flight and its importance to a student?
What endorsements are required for a student’s first solo cross-country?
Describe the aerodynamics of a spin and how to teach recovery.
How would you handle a student showing overconfidence or a hazardous attitude?

Final Tips

Stay calm and confident—focus on explaining and teaching rather than perfection.
Use clear, simple language as if teaching someone with no prior knowledge.
Be prepared to adapt to curveballs—examiners may test how you think on your feet.

Let me know if you'd like sample lesson plans, oral questions, or scenario practice!

CLICK 👉 Private Pilot License (PPL) Written Exam

CLICK 👉 PPL Practical Exam (Checkride)

CLICK 👉 Basic Aerodynamics Exam

CLICK 👉 Aviation Weather and Meteorology Exam

CLICK 👉 Radio Telephony License (R/T) Exam

CLICK 👉 Navigation for PPL Exam

CLICK 👉 Aircraft Performance and Limitations Exam

CLICK 👉 Aviation Law and Regulations for PPL

CLICK 👉 Basic Flight Planning Exam

CLICK 👉 VFR Communications Exam

CLICK 👉 Night Rating Exam