Flight Training and Instruction Arizona: What CFI Training to Expect

Hello aviators out there:

I had a student on one of the aviation forums ask a question about flight instructor training even if they were proficient in all the maneuvers from the right seat. I told the student to expect the following:

20 Hour Dual Instruction
40 Hours Ground Instruction

Then the student ask why so much training. Here is my reply:



I even checked around some of my local flight schools and they are quoting between 10-20 hours in the airplane and between 20 - 40 hours on the ground.

I have taught quite a few and that is what it takes my students to understand and explain everything. I will just point out a few things.

First you can expect an 8 hour flight test on average about 6 on the ground and 2 in the air. Once again EVERYTHING IS FAIR GAME.

if you haven't looked at the CFI PTS you may want to it is almost 200 pages long. Here are a few things I just pulled from the PTS

First of all you have to have instructional Knowledge of everything. Below is directly from the PTS

The term "instructional knowledge" means the instructor applicant is capable of using the appropriate reference to provide the "application or correlative level of knowledge" of a subject matter topic, procedure, or
maneuver. It also means that the flight instructor applicant's discussions, explanations, and descriptions should follow the recommended teaching procedures and techniques explained in FAA-H-8083-9, Aviation Instructor's Handbook.

Now here are the references that the FAA can and will use on the flight test:


14 CFR part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations
14 CFR part 23 Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic,
and Commuter Category Airplanes
14 CFR part 39 Airworthiness Directives
14 CFR part 43 Maintenance, Preventative Maintenance,
Rebuilding, and Alteration
14 CFR part 61 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors
14 CFR part 67 Medical Standards and Certification
14 CFR part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules
NTSB part 830 Notification and Reporting of Aircraft Accidents and
Incidents
AC 00-6 Aviation Weather
AC 00-45 Aviation Weather Services
AC 60-22 Aeronautical Decision Making
AC 60-28 English Language Skill Standards as Required by
14 CFR parts 61, 63, and 65
AC 61-65 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors
AC 61-67 Stall and Spin Awareness Training
AC 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation
AC 61-94 Pilot Transition Course for Self-Launching or
Powered Sailplanes (Motorgliders)
AC 61-107 Operations of Aircraft at Altitude Above 25,000 feet
MSL and/or Mach Numbers (Mmo) Greater than
.75
AC 90-42 Traffic Advisory Practices at Airport Without
Operating Control Towers
AC 90-48 Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance
AC 90-66 Recommended Standard Traffic Patterns for
Aeronautical Operations at Airports Without
Operating Control Towers
AC 91-13 Cold Weather Operation of Aircraft
AC 91-55 Reduction of Electrical System Failures Following
Aircraft Engine Starting
FAA-H-8083-1 Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook
FAA-H-8083-3 Airplane Flying Handbook
FAA-H-8083-9 Aviation Instructor’s Handbook
FAA-S-8081-4 Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards
FAA-S-8081-12 Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards
FAA-S-8081-14 Private Pilot Practical Test Standards
FAA-H-8083-15 Instrument Flying Handbook
FAA-H-8083-25 Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Order 8080.6 Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests
AC 150/5340-1 Standards for Airport Markings
AC 150/5340-18 Standards for Airport Sign Systems
AC 150/5340-30 Design and Installation Details for Airport Visual
Aids
AIM Aeronautical Information Manual
A/FD Airport/Facility Directory
NOTAMs Notices to Airmen
POH/AFM Pilot Operating Handbooks and FAA-Approved
Airplane Flight Manuals
USCG Navigation Rule: International - Inland

Now you also have the TASKS in the PTS

The Objective of a TASK that involves pilot skill consists of four parts. The four parts include determination that the applicant exhibits:

1. instructional knowledge of the elements of a TASK. This is accomplished through descriptions, explanations, and simulated instruction;

2. instructional knowledge of common errors related to a TASK,including their recognition, analysis, and correction;

3. the ability to demonstrate and simultaneously explain the key elements of a TASK. The TASK demonstration must be to the COMMERCIAL PILOT skill level2; and

4. the ability to analyze and correct common errors related to a TASK.

Just being able to nail the maneuvers from the right seat is just a fraction of the flight test.

Instructional knowledge put simply means you know it and you know how to explain it and you know how to identify what the student is doing wrong and then correct the problem.

You can take all your books to the flight test but I can guarantee you if you use them more than 2 maybe three times you will get a pink slip. You have to know it inside and out.

So that is what all the ground time is. Do you think you want to go up against the FAA with 5 hours of ground instruction?

airfreddy



Arizona Flight Training and Instruction