CFI-I Requirements

What is required to take the CFI-I checkride?

Per 61.183:

1. Meet the prerequisites
   1. Be 18 years old
   2. Read, write, and speak English
   3. Hold either a commercial or ATP certificate, with the category/class appropriate to the rating sought
   4. Hold an instrument rating for the category/class sought
2. Pass a knowledge test per 14 CFR 61.185(a)(3)
   1. Any missed questions should be reviewed with the instructor, and their logbook endorsed (61-65J A.2)
3. Log flight and ground training and receive a logbook endorsement on the following areas: 14 CFR 61.187(b)(7)
   1. Fundamentals of instructing
   2. Technical subject areas
   3. Preflight preparation
   4. Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight
   5. Air traffic control clearances and procedures
   6. Flight by reference to instruments
   7. Navigation aids
   8. Instrument approach procedures
   9. Emergency operations
   10. Postflight procedures.
4. Receive appropriate endorsements to take the practical test
   1. An endorsement stating the student is ready for the practical test (61-65J A.1)
   2. An endorsement stating the student is ready for the instrument practical test (61-65J A.44)

PTS

Note: (required) indicates it is required for the addition of an instrument instructor rating to a flight instructor certificate.

• I. Fundamentals of Instructing
  • A. Learning Process
  • B. Human Behavior and Effective Communication
  • C. Teaching Process
  • D. Teaching Methods
  • E. Critique and Evaluation
  • F. Flight Instructor Characteristics and Responsibilities
  • G. Planning Instructional Activity
• II. Technical Subject Areas (required A and B)
  • A. Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment (required)
  • B. Aeromedical Factors
  • C. Regulations and Publications Related to IFR Operations (required)
  • D. Logbook Entries Related to Instrument Instruction (may be required)
• III. Preflight Preparation (required B and C)
  • A. Weather Information
  • B. Cross-Country Flight Planning (required)
  • C. Instrument Flight Deck Check (required)
• IV. Preflight Lesson on a Maneuver to be Performed in Flight
  • A. Maneuver Lesson
• V. Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures (required, A or B)
  • A. Air Traffic Control Clearances
  • B. Compliance With Departure, En Route, and Arrival Procedures and Clearances
• VI. Flight by Reference to Instruments (required, one task plus H)
  • A. Straight-and-Level Flight
  • B. Turns
  • C. Change of Airspeed in Straight-and-Level and Turning Flight
  • D. Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents
  • E. Constant Rate Climbs and Descents
  • F. Timed Turns to Magnetic Compass Headings
  • G. Steep Turns
  • H. Recovery From Unusual Flight Attitudes (required)
• VII. Navigation Aids (required)
  • A. Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs (required)
  • B. Holding Procedures (required)
• VIII. Instrument Approach Procedures (required A + B, combined with C, D, or E, one approach partial panel)
  • A. Nonprecision Instrument Approach
  • B. Precision Instrument Approach
  • C. Missed Approach
  • D. Circling Approach (Airplane)
  • E. Landing From a Straight-In Approach
• IX. Emergency Operations (required, A or B)
  • A. Loss of Communications
  • B. Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators
  • C. Engine Failure During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (Multiengine)
  • D. Instrument Approach—One Engine Inoperative (Multiengine)
• X. Postflight Procedures (required)
  • A. Checking Instruments and Equipment

Common Student Errors

VI. by Reference to Instruments (required)

A. Straight-and-Level Flight

1. slow or improper cross-check during straight-and-level flight.
2. improper power control.
3. failure to make smooth, precise corrections, as required.
4. uncoordinated use of controls.
5. improper trim control.

B. Turns

1. improper cross-check procedures.
2. improper bank control during roll-in and roll-out.
3. failure to make smooth, precise corrections, as required.
4. uncoordinated use of controls.
5. improper trim technique.

C. Change of Airspeed in Straight-and-Level and Turning Flight

1. slow or improper cross-check during straight-and-level flight and turns.
2. improper power control.
3. failure to make smooth, precise corrections, as required.
4. uncoordinated use of controls.
5. improper trim technique.

D. Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents

1. failure to use a proper power setting and pitch attitude.
2. improper correction of vertical rate, airspeed, heading, or rate-of-turn errors.
3. uncoordinated use of controls.
4. improper trim control.

E. Constant Rate Climbs and Descents

1. failure to use a proper power setting and pitch attitude.
2. improper correction of vertical rate, airspeed, heading, or rate-of-turn errors.
3. uncoordinated use of controls.
4. improper trim control.

F. Timed Turns to Magnetic Compass Headings

1. incorrect calibration procedures.
2. improper timing.
3. uncoordinated use of controls.
4. improper trim control.

G. Steep Turns

1. failure to recognize and make proper corrections for pitch, bank, or power errors.
2. failure to compensate for precession of the horizon bar of the attitude indicator.
3. uncoordinated use of controls.
4. improper trim technique.

H. Recovery From Unusual Flight Attitudes

1. incorrect interpretation of the flight instruments.
2. inappropriate application of controls.

VI. Navigation Aids (required)

A. Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs

1. incorrect tuning and identification procedures.
2. failure to properly set the navigation selector on the course to be intercepted.
3. failure to use proper procedures for course or DME arc interception and tracking.
4. improper procedures for intercepting a course or localizer from a DME arc.

B. Holding Procedures

1. incorrect setting of aircraft navigation equipment.
2. inappropriate altitude, airspeed, and bank control.
3. improper timing.
4. improper wind drift correction.
5. failure to recognize holding fix passage.
6. failure to comply with ATC instructions.

VI. Instrument Approach Procedures (required)

A. Nonprecision Instrument Approach

1. failure to have essential knowledge of the information on the instrument approach chart.
2. incorrect communications procedures or noncompliance with ATC clearances or instructions.
3. failure to accomplish checklist items.
4. faulty basic instrument flying technique.
5. inappropriate descent below the MDA.

B. Precision Instrument Approach

1. failure to have essential knowledge of the information on the instrument approach procedure chart.
2. incorrect communications procedures or noncompliance with ATC clearances.
3. failure to accomplish checklist items.
4. faulty basic instrument flying technique.
5. inappropriate application of DH/DA.

C. Missed Approach

1. failure to have essential knowledge of the information on the instrument approach chart.
2. failure to recognize conditions requiring a missed approach.
3. failure to promptly initiate a missed approach.
4. failure to make the required report to ATC.
5. failure to comply with the missed approach procedure.
6. faulty basic instrument flying technique.
7. descent below the MDA prior to initiating a missed approach.

D. Circling Approach (Airplane)

1. failure to have essential knowledge of the circling approach information on the instrument approach chart.
2. failure to adhere to the published MDA and visibility criteria during the circling approach maneuver.
3. inappropriate pilot technique during transition from the circling maneuver to the landing approach.

E. Landing From a Straight-In Approach

1. inappropriate division of attention during the transition from instrument to visual flight conditions.
2. failure to complete required checklist items.
3. failure to properly plan and perform the turn to final approach.
4. improper technique for wind shear, wake turbulence, and crosswind.
5. failure to maintain positive aircraft control throughout the complete landing maneuver.

IX. Emergency Operations (required)

A. Loss of Communications

B. Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators

1. recognition of failed system components that relate to primary flight instrument indication(s).
2. failure to notify ATC of situation.
3. failure to transition to emergency mode/standby instrumentation.

X. Postflight Procedures (required)

A. Checking Instruments and Equipment