Certified flight instructor practical test standards

ADVANCE FLYING ACADEMY

The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practical Test Standards (PTS) is a comprehensive guide used by FAA examiners to assess a candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities during the CFI certification process. The CFI practical test consists of an oral exam and a flight test, both of which are evaluated based on the criteria set forth in the CFI Practical Test Standards.

Here’s an overview of what to expect and the key elements covered in the CFI PTS:

CFI Practical Test Overview

The CFI Practical Test is divided into two sections:

Oral Exam: A discussion where the examiner asks questions about the candidate’s knowledge of aviation, flight maneuvers, teaching methods, regulations, and the principles of flight instruction.
Flight Test: A hands-on test where the candidate must demonstrate their ability to teach, perform, and evaluate flight maneuvers while instructing a student pilot.

CFI Practical Test Standards (PTS) Breakdown

The CFI PTS is divided into several areas of operation, each with specific tasks that the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in.

1. Flight Training Task Areas

The applicant must demonstrate the ability to teach the following flight maneuvers and skills:

Preflight Preparation:
- Proper briefing and flight planning.
- Risk management and decision-making.
- Review of the student’s progress.
Takeoffs and Landings:
- Instruction on normal takeoffs, short-field, soft-field, and emergency landings.
- Go-arounds and balked landings.
Flight Maneuvers:
- Straight and level flight, turns, climbs, and descents.
- Stalls, steep turns, slow flight, and unusual attitudes.
- Coordination of flight controls during maneuvers.
Emergency Procedures:
- Engine failures, power-off landings, and emergency descents.
- Use of emergency equipment like the fire extinguisher or first aid kit.

2. Flight Instruction and Teaching Ability

The examiner will evaluate the applicant's ability to:

Teach and Evaluate Students: Demonstrating how to teach and evaluate flight maneuvers effectively, including corrective feedback and use of positive reinforcement.
Scenario-Based Training: Creating scenarios to help students develop their decision-making and situational awareness.
Demonstrate Maneuvers: The applicant must demonstrate the ability to perform maneuvers and explain each step to the student.
Provide Proper Instructional Techniques: Using appropriate methods to instruct a student based on their learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).

3. Aircraft Systems and Operations

The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the following areas:

Aircraft Systems: Explaining aircraft systems, including engines, electrical, hydraulic, and other operational systems.
Weight and Balance: Properly calculating the weight and balance of an aircraft and understanding its importance in safe flight operations.
Flight Performance: Understanding and explaining aircraft performance data for various maneuvers and conditions (e.g., V-speeds, takeoff distance, etc.).

4. Regulations and Documentation

The candidate must demonstrate a strong understanding of relevant regulations:

FAR Part 61 and Part 91: The examiner will assess your knowledge of the Federal Aviation Regulations, especially those related to flight instruction, pilot certifications, and operational procedures.
Logbook and Endorsements: Understanding how to log flight time and properly endorse students' logbooks for various phases of their training.

5. Risk Management

The CFI must demonstrate the ability to:

Identify Hazards: Recognize potential risks during flight training and show an ability to manage or mitigate those risks.
Decision-Making: Use sound decision-making techniques to evaluate safety, weather conditions, and student proficiency levels.

6. Instructional Ability

This is one of the most important aspects of the CFI Practical Test, as you must demonstrate that you can teach and communicate effectively:

Student-Centered Instruction: Ability to adapt your teaching approach to the student’s progress and learning style.
Communication: Ability to explain complex flight maneuvers in simple terms.
Critique and Feedback: Provide constructive feedback on student performance and guide them through corrections.

Key Sections of the CFI PTS

Section A – Flight Training Task Areas: This section contains specific flight tasks that must be demonstrated. These include maneuvers, flight operations, and emergency procedures.
Section B – Knowledge and Risk Management: This section evaluates the applicant’s knowledge of aviation theory and regulatory standards as well as their ability to assess and manage risks during flight instruction.
Section C – Oral Examination: This section involves questioning from the examiner to assess knowledge of aviation principles, regulations, flight maneuvers, and flight instruction practices.
Section D – Flight Test: This section includes a demonstration of the candidate’s ability to teach, perform, and evaluate flight maneuvers in the air.

Preparing for the CFI Practical Test

Study the PTS: Familiarize yourself with the entire CFI PTS document, which is available on the FAA website. It will give you a clear outline of the test requirements.
Prepare a Lesson Plan: Develop lesson plans for common maneuvers and procedures that you can use as teaching tools during the test.
Practice Maneuvers: Regularly practice all maneuvers and be prepared to teach them in the air. Make sure you can explain each maneuver thoroughly.
Review Regulations: Be clear on FAA regulations, especially those relating to flight instruction, student endorsements, and flight operations.
Mock Oral and Flight Test: Conduct mock oral exams and flight tests with an experienced instructor to identify areas that need improvement.

Additional Resources:

FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) document: This is the official guide for CFI candidates. Make sure to download it from the FAA website or from your flight school.
“The Flight Instructor’s Manual” by Robert E. Witte and “The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge”: These are excellent resources for understanding the principles you will need to teach.

By reviewing and thoroughly preparing for the CFI Practical Test Standards, you’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to both fly and teach others how to fly safely and effectively.

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