FAA U-Turn on Touchdown Autos
So as of yesterday evening the full down / touchdown autorotation is now to be re-instated for the flight instructor checkride. A letter was issued by James Ballaugh of the FAA in Washington D.C.
It essentially states that effective immediately, the touchdown autorotation maneuver would be required for the CFI practical exam. In addition, the National Resource Inspector Program (NRI) for FAA inspectors to conduct this maneuver was re-instated. Any ASI not designated as an NRI would NOT be able to conduct this manuever, they would be able to view the maneuver from the ground.
The letter did give direction for each FSDO to appoint more examiners to conduct these exams with the NRI to check those examiners. It almost sounds like we are back to where we were before but the letter did address the delay in obtaining examiners for these rides.
Check local FSDO for more details.