Refer to the applicable ACS to prepare for the required tasks. Make sure you read the appendix which includes important information for CFI initial.
Please have all your original documents out and ready for me to see as well as the maintenance logs for our aircraft BEFORE I arrive. Having the inspections tabbed out beforehand is appreciated.
Make sure you have your pilot certificate, government ID, current medical, and log book with associated endorsements. You can save some time during the test and review the pilot bill of rights found here. When we meet, you will be signing that you have read it. Have your IACRA login information available for the test. You will have to login at least once to finalize your application.
Although the test is not a race to answer the questions quickly or give your presentation quickly, keep in mind in the real world that you will be limited to the time you have to teach your student. They may have only scheduled you for a 30-60 minute ground. With this in mind, it's important that your presentations are well presented and easy to understand. This is best accomplished with visual presentations such as slides, illustrations, cockpit posters etc. You are allowed to use your lessons plans. I do not mind you using lesson plans from 3rd party sources, however ensure you are proficient using them and that they apply to the aircraft and equipment we are conducting the test in. I would encourage you to practice your lessons with other pilots to ensure you are proficient with your lesson plans.
Remember, the ACS specifies what is required to be covered for each task. Essentially how it works, common errors and how to correct them. My current weight can be found here Have a plan for the flight portion of the test to include all required tasks. I will be acting as your student. Prior to the flight after the ground portion I will let you know the tasks that will be conducted that are specified by the examiner. Make sure you plan for flying and teaching. I’m intentionally not giving you step by step instructions. This is a CFI practical test and you are demonstrating proficiency and understanding of the applicable ACS. I am not allowed to provide you the lessons I intend for you to teach during the ground in advance. The intent of the ACS is that you are prepared to give any lesson.
Try and plan ahead to take care of anything that can save us both time. If your school dispatches your airplane out to another student before you, I understand that’s outside of your control. If it’s possible though, see if we can get an airplane no one will be using before us. Ideally have the plane preflighted ahead of time so we can identify potential problems early. Reference your written test reports and type or hand write the corresponding subject codes for your missed questions from the ACS on one piece of paper. Do this for both written tests please. Do not only write the codes down(your test does that), you are demonstrating to me you know what the codes mean. This is a copy for my records and needs to be a document I can keep. Please condense to a single piece of paper(DO NOT simply highlight the codes in the PTS. Include your FTN number on the document. You can find the FTN number on your written test or in IACRA. I am required to ask you every missed question from the written test. Your instructor is required to review the missed subjects with you and endorse your log book validating this has been done. This additional instruction is required to be logged as well. It is in your best interest to show up for the test able to answer the questions you missed on the written at an instructor level of knowledge.
KNOW THE ACS. I ask every checkride if applicants are familiar with the ACS and they still seem to not know what the requirements and standards are for the tasks. I'll be evaluating you based on those standards. Fees and cancellation policy can be found here .
Please do not hesitate to email me with additional questions. Vince@dpeaz.com