Preparing for Your Flight Training Program
For the CFI Program
PTS Knowledge and Understanding
A pilot without thorough knowledge of how to use the PTS and its references will not pass the CFI checkride. During your checkride, your examiner or inspector will take out the CFI PTS and proceed with the oral portion of the checkride by using the PTS as a guide. They will expect you to follow along and be able to navigate the PTS and the references listed therein.
By the time you reach the CFI checkride, your CFI PTS should be worn, highlighted, and full of notes. FAA Inspectors and Examiners can quickly identify an applicant's preparation by the appearance of their PTS and associated reference materials.
- Read and understand every word of the PTS introduction section (from the inside cover to page 17). Understanding how the FAA inspector or examiner will conduct the checkride and what is expected of you will give you a tremendous advantage.
- Applicants must understand how to use the references listed for each PTS task by “de-coding” them using the table in the introduction section. In CFI PTS (FAA-S-8081-6C), the table that identifies each reference is on page 3.
- CFI applicants must be able to locate pertinent information within the references listed for each PTS task. During the checkride, you will likely be stumped by a question or two. Being able to quickly find the correct answers using published resources is often an acceptable solution to being unclear about an answer. On the other hand, not knowing an answer combined with not being able to find it is almost always a show-stopper. Know how to navigate the Table of Contents and Index of the FAR/AIM, PHAK, and AFH. This alone will save you hours of time and energy as you prepare for the CFI certificate.
- Applicants must know the PTS tolerances for private and commercial pilot PTS maneuvers. For example, know that the Private Pilot PTS specifies a 45° bank ±5° angle for steep turns, but a commercial pilot requires at least a 50° bank ±5°.
