COMMON WEAK AREAS OBSERVED ON INITIAL CFI PRACTICAL TESTS

AERODYNAMICS:

    • How lift, weight, thrust, and drag act on aircraft in a climb or descent
    • Why maneuvering speed varies with weight
    • Explanation of the relationship between center of pressure and center of gravity
    • Explanation of trim devices
    • Explanation of spin entries, spins, and spin recovery techniques

AIRSPACE:

    • Explanation of communication requirements at an airport with an operating control tower located within class G airspace
    • Explanation of VFR weather minimums and operational requirements at an airport having class E airspace beginning at the surface
    • Explanation of class E airspace starting at other than the surface, 700’, or 1,200’
    • How to obtain a special VFR clearance
    • Explanation of operations within a Terminal Radar Service Area

ENDORSEMENTS:

    • Knowledge of logbook endorsements necessary to be eligible for a practical test
    • Instructor endorsements required from 1st solo through private pilot certification
    • Instructor endorsements for flight and ground instruction given

FLIGHT OPERATIONS:

    • Aircraft preflight, including detailed knowledge of systems and components
    • Landing gear operation, including malfunction troubleshooting
    • Steep turns (maintaining angle of bank within 50°± 5° throughout turn)
    • Power on stalls (recover as the stall occurs)
    • Power off stalls (enter from a descent, and recover as the stall occurs)
    • Effective demonstration of cross control stalls
    • Effective demonstration of spin recovery, if required
    • Demonstration of successful simulated emergency approach and landing
    • Short field, soft field, and cross-wind takeoffs and landings
    • Slips

MISCELLANEOUS:

    • Recognition of Instructor surveillance/supervision requirements for Student Pilot Solo flights.
    • Recognizing when a student pilot is ready for first Solo flight.
    • Instrument Instructor applicants not possessing instrument pilot skill levels.
    • Instructional ability and presentation skills
    • Aircraft maintenance records review
    • Medical certificate requirements for flight instructors
    • Limitations on performing flight instruction without a medical certificate
    • Explanation of minimum equipment lists and special flight permits
    • Explanation of the FAA Pilot Proficiency Awards Program (Wings Program)
    • When discussing a task within an area of operation of the practical test standards, the importance of covering each element included within the task