LucasM

So last friday I took my CFI-MEI initial checkride and busted during the oral. Mostly on FOI and a couple FARs. Granted I got my AGI and IGI ground instructor certificate, but the examiner didn't seem to care at all. This is the first checkride I have ever busted and it's the most God awful experience I have ever been through. I've felt bummed out and halfway depressed all week. But I've been trying to study up on what I need to work on.

Does anybody have any tips or suggestions? I would really hate to have a double bust if this next oral exam goes south. I guess just try to keep my head up and learn from this, right?

NYCPilot

Be more prepared?

DeadHead

Don't focus on the bust, focus on the checkride and what you need to work on. Pilots who have never failed a checkride are few and far between, and at the end of the day a busted checkride doesn't make you any less of a pilot.
Whatever your career aspirations are, most aviation hiring panels like to see pilots who are well-rounded, humble individuals. Just think of this busted checkride as a humbiling experience in which you will further build upon your career in aviation.
We've all been there, trust me, best if luck on the recheck.

cfii2007

The CFI initial has probably the highest failure rate among all checkrides.

I busted mine back in 2001 with the Feds and didn't go anywhere near an airport for the next 2 weeks. I was too bummed, depressed and ****ed off in general.

Just focus on your weakpoints, maybe make a laundry lists of areas that need improvement. I've known people who have taken up to 3 attempts at the CFI and finally passed.

Cubdriver

Most people fail their CFI initial and nationwide failure rates are between 65-95% depending on FSDO. It's a gauntlet because you will be a major influence over young pilots, and the FAA insists on our being prepared. Talk over what you missed with your instructor and generate a list of things you need to review or learn in order to pass on the second try. You will probably pass the retake since most people do. Failed CFI rides are not about how you are a lousy pilot and terrible human being, they are about a few things you need to be up on before you start teaching new pilots and acting as gatekeeper. Sulk for a bit but get back to work... you are almost done.

LucasM

thanks alot for your all of your input! that makes me feel a lot better. i've been studying pretty hard this week, but between now and the recheck I will be hitting the books like a madman. i really want this rating, and i feel like i'd be a really good instructor. but the problem was that the examiner didn't really want me to look up any of the answer. he said that it wasn't an "open book test, because we would be here all day", which i thought was really stupid considering that on every other checkride i have been able to look up anything i need. otherwise everything would have been gravy. i understand the fact that the FSDO is usually pretty tough, DPE as well, but $550 for the initial + $300 for a recheck doesn't sit to well with me. at least with the FSDO i wouldn't have had to pay.

ILS37R

Ouch, those are some hefty checkride fees. Say what you will about the FSDO, but the FAA guys don't charge a thing.

Just to echo what others have said here, if there's a ride to bust, it's the CFI-Initial. Pass rates are rough and it can be tough to prepare to a knowledge standard of "everything."

I agree with you that the CFI oral should be "open-book," so long as you immediately know where to look and aren't simply searching in desperation--you'll be spending a fair amount of time looking things up with students in the coming year--but each FAA guy or DPE is different and sets the standards as they see appropriate. On the bright side, you now know what your examiner expects and can better prepare yourself for him.

Keep your chin up, study up, and you'll be fine. I'm sure students will be trying to kill you on a daily basis in no time

ppilot

I really think a busted checkride can be a positive thing if you make it one (I busted one.)

Take this into your instructing after you take the re-test and pass. I always tell my students that I think it's important to make mistakes. Making mistakes takes you to the place where understanding and learning come from. It also keeps you humble, which will keep you alive in this business.

Best of luck on the re-test.

Pilotpip

Failures happen. On the CFI initial it's about a 70% first time bust. Learn from it, move on and kick the crap out of it next time.

I don't agree with this DPE at all though. The CFI is all about the books. You know how to fly, you've demonstrated that. With this one you're demonstrating that you know how to teach. WIthout the supporting resources how are you able to justify what you are presenting?

I'd give the FSDO a call, see what their schedule is like. Paying that much for a checkride is beyond stupid.

OH yeah, I failed my initial twice. It hasn't held me back yet.

ryguy

I failed the oral portion twice on the CFI initial. Both times because I didn't go deep enough for my pvt pilot lessons. He thought I should be teaching the lift equation to pvt students and I thought it was too deep at the point he told me to teach (he said teach him as if he just started a couple days ago). That was the first one, the second was something similar.

On the third try I went in as if I was teaching space shuttle 101 and passed. In reality the average pvt student would have quit because it looked too tough. What can I do, that is what this guy wanted. This was at the ORL FSDO btw and they had a very high bust rate.

That said, it has never once come up in an interview in a negative way. Always disclosed on the app too. Don't worry about it, just keep plugging away!

Good luck.