CFI PTS | Tools to Help You Study for the Checkride

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Updates and Changes from the PTS to the ACS March 30th 2024 | Effective May 31st 2024

We always get questions on how to use the PTS cfi to study for the oral exam. We decided to prioritize the tasks of the PTS into those that are required to be selected by the examiner and those likely to be tested and organized first. As you move through this resource you’ll find tasks that are less likely as well.

Each Task listed has the corresponding references that are listed in the Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards as well as CFI Bootcamp’s reference documents. Studying using this guide will help you concentrate on the most important things first. You still need to be proficient in all tasks but the guide helps by prioritizing the tasks for you and makes sure you know the references that you are required to know that align to that task.

If you're struggling and need help we are always here to provide one to one instruction online or in person. You will also benefit by visiting our online store and getting some of our core training documents we created and no other school has. You can also get our online course that is complete ground training for the CFI certificate (Not FAA knowledge test preparation). If you really want to get the best result in the shortest time then join us at CFI Bootcamp in Palo Alto, CA or Miami, FL for one of our 7 day classes.

We hope this resource gives you direction and helps you organize your studies for the CFI checkride.

Understanding how the PTS is organized.

• Areas of operations are groups of related areas that are available to test.

• Tasks are single individual items such as a maneuver or ground knowledge area.

• Elements are a breakdown of the skill or knowledge required from the associated task.

• References limit what can be tested and what you are responsible for knowing.

• Completion standards are the degree to which you must perform or know about a task.

• Common errors are items that people as a whole do if a mistake is made demonstrating a maneuver.

• Notes are instructions to the examiner on which tasks must be selected.

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The Flight Instructor PTS doesn’t have metrics for how well a maneuver needs to be demonstrated or taught. These are in both the Commercial and Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine land ACSs.

• Tests are supposed to be scenarios as much as possible.

• It’s likely that you will get a Commercial maneuver to teach on the checkride.

• If you are given a flight plan, expect most of the test to be using it, explaining it, and teaching it.

• The flight side of the checkride is usually straightforward and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. It will be apparent to you if you are to teach, evaluate or just demonstrate a maneuver from a briefing you will receive before the flight.

Caution: If you receive a notice of disapproval for any task in Slow Flight, Stalls, or Spins you will be required to demonstrate spins on the retest.

• The three typical ways this checkride is structured:

• Line by line (Takes the longest)

• Some scenarios and some line by line.

• Mostly scenario.

Technical subject Areas and Preflight Preparation:

• Runway Incursion Avoidance - FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3B, FAA-H-8083-23B, AC 91-73, AIM, Chart Supplements, CFI Bootcamp’s: Lesson Plans (Runway Incursion Avoidance).

• Logbook entries and certificate endorsements - FAR Part 61, AC 61-65H, CFI Bootcamp’s: Ultimate Guide to Endorsements and Checkride Self-Study Guide.

• Certificates and documents - 14 CFR parts 23, 43, 61 FAR 61 Subpart C (Student Pilots), D (Recreational Pilots), E (Private Pilots), F (Commercial Pilots) also 61.31(d)(2), 61.51, 61.56, 61.57, 61.63 and61.39, AC 61-65H, FAR Parts 67, and 91; FAA-H-8083-3B, FAA-H-8083-25B, FAA-S-8081-12, FAA-S-ACS-6; POH/AFM. CFI Bootcamp’s: Ultimate Guide to Endorsements and Checkride Self-Study Guide.

• Operation of Systems - FAA-H-8083-3B, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25B, FAA-S-8081-12, FAA-S-ACS-6; POH/AFM .

• Airworthiness Requirements - FAR Parts 23, 39, 43; FAA-S-8081-12, FAA-S-ACS-6; POH/AFM, CFI Bootcamp’s Lesson Plans (Airworthiness)

• National Airspace System - FAR Part 91 (91.127- 91.137 and 91.155 - 91.157, AIM Chapter 3; FAA-S-8081-12, FAA-S-ACS-6, CFI Bootcamp’s Lesson Plans (Airspace).

• Performance and Limitations - AC 61-84; FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-S-8081-12, FAA-S-ACS-6; POH/AFM, CFI Bootcamp’s Lesson Plans (Performance and Limitations).

• Principles of Flight - FAA-H-8083-3B, FAA-H-8083-25B. CFI Bootcamp’s Lesson Plans (Aerodynamics).

• Airplane Flight Controls - FAA-H-8083-3B, FAA-H-8083-25B, CFI Bootcamp’s Lesson Plans Flight Controls).

• Weight and Balance - FAA-H-8083-1, FAA-H-8083-3B, FAA-H-8083-25B. CFI Bootcamp’s Lesson Plans (Weight and Balance)

How is the FOI tested?

It varies greatly. Some all scenario, some asking you to prepare something and teach it/evaluate it. The only way to know for sure is to simply ask the DPE, “How do you test the FOI?” You aren’t asking what is tested but in what manner it will be tested.

Fundamentals of Instructing:

• Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism - FAA-H-8083-9A Chapter 7, CFI Bootcamp’s: FOI Chapter Summaries and Checkride Self-Study Guide.

• The Learning Process - FAA-H-8083-9A Chapter 2, CFI Bootcamp’s: FOI Chapter Summaries and Checkride Self-Study Guide.

• Risk Management - FAA-H-8083-9A Chapter 9, FAA-H-8083-2, CFI Bootcamp’s: FOI Chapter Summaries and Lesson Plans (Risk Management).

Must be Tested and Very Likely Tasks

• Techniques of Flight Instruction - FAA-H-8083-9A Chapter 8, CFI Bootcamp’s: FOI Chapter Summaries and Checkride Self-Study Guide.

• Human Behavior and Effective Communications - FAA-H-8083-9A Chapters 1 and 3, CFI Bootcamp’s: FOI Chapter Summaries and Checkride Self-Study Guide.

• The Teaching Process - FAA-H-8083-9A Chapter 4, CFI Bootcamp’s: FOI Chapter Summaries and Checkride Self-Study Guide.

• Assessment and Critique - FAA-H-8083-9A Chapter 5, CFI Bootcamp’s: FOI Chapter Summaries and Checkride Self-Study Guide.