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The CFI initial checkride is not for the faint of heart. If you’ve made it to this point in your training big congratulations are in order because you’ve climbed some seriously intimidating mountains to get here.

Becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a big deal for any pilot. It’s when you go from being a student to teaching the next generation of aviators. Passing the CFI initial checkride can be intimidating, but with the right tools and prep, it’s totally doable.

Tips for CFI Checkride Success

Before we dive in, here are some tips to help you prepare for the CFI checkride:

1. Start Early: Don’t procrastinate. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready.
2. Stay Organized: Make a study plan, check things off as you go, and keep everything neat and tidy.
3. Practice Teaching: Try teaching to your friends or anyone who’ll listen. It’s great practice.
4. Get Feedback: Don’t be shy about asking experienced instructors for feedback. They’ve been there and can help you out.

Now, let’s get into the good stuff.

1. “The Flight Instructor Manual” by William K. Kershner

I came across The Flight Instructor Manual while in CFI training and it turned out to be a really efficient tool for creating maneuver- and flight-based lesson plans. In my ground school, we were required to put together lessons and present them in front of the class, which was great practice in speaking and presenting, and also highlighted weak areas really quickly.

I found it difficult at first to talk about all of the components of a maneuver in terms that a brand new student would understand, but this book gave me language and visuals to help communicate these concepts more clearly.

It also provides suggested flows of what to teach when, and checklists to help you track student progress. I still reference this book often as a working instructor!

2. WifiCFI Lesson Plans

WifiCFI is an awesome online resource for CFIs, and their lesson plans got me through my training and checkride. Their lesson plans cover every item on the PTS (Practical Test Standards) and include a text version as well as a slideshow option. The only caveat is that these lesson plans are enormously detailed and can take quite a bit of time to get through if you don’t do any editing of your own.

They provide a great starting point and will save you TONS of time vs. writing every lesson plan yourself from scratch, but the best way to use these is to make them your own. Read them carefully, add your own stories and examples, and remove anything that seems excessive (emphasis on THESE ARE SO DETAILED.) This will make your lessons more engaging and personal, and keep them from dragging on past the point of your student’s attention span.

3. Aviation Instructor’s Handbook

The Aviation Instructor’s Handbook is another essential tool. This is where you’ll get all of the basics around FOI topics (Fundamentals of Instruction), which are not only the subject of an entire written exam but will also likely be points of discussion on your checkride oral. My DPE spent nearly half of my oral exam time asking about FOIs.

Knowing FOIs is not only about passing the test; it’s about understanding how people learn and adapting your teaching style to the individual student.

4. CFI Practical Test Standards (PTS)

The CFI Practical Test Standards (PTS) is similar to the ACS (Airman Certification Standards) which you’ve encountered in earlier checkrides. It’s the standard DPEs follow during the checkride to guide the conversation and flight.

Before you ever get to the checkride, go through this thing line by line to make sure you have talking points ready for every single item. Knowing the PTS thoroughly will demonstrate to the examiner that you are prepared and professional. I kept a copy open on my laptop during the exam and referenced my notes there occasionally. Notes are generally more welcome on a CFI check than any other because of the use of lesson plans and visual aids at this stage. As long as you’re using your own notes and not Googling, you should be allowed to reference your CFI binder/digital file as necessary.

5. Todd Shellnutt on YouTube

This man saved my life. Todd has a series on YouTube called “CFI Pro Courses” where he breaks down the PTS and does a deep dive into FOIs. If you prefer to learn through audio, this is a great place to start your studying.

You got this!

Getting ready for the CFI initial checkride can be a bit of a rollercoaster, but the accomplishment of becoming an instructor makes it all worth it. Good luck on your CFI journey, and let me know when you pass!