CPL exams for FI rating

[invertedspin10]

Im considering doing the FI course but with a PPL - with a view to weekend instructing unpaid of course.
I understand that you must have taken the CPL exams before you can enroll on the FI course but I have some questions on the posssibilities of taking the exams.

Is there any way you can just self study, turn up and take the exams as an individual or do you have to enroll on an approved CPL groundschool , do distance learning, and then do the compulsory ground school modules i.e 4 weeks+ classrom training and compulsory hrs etc

If this is the case It seems ridiculous to have to sit through 4 weeks+ of ground school so you can sit the exams and so you can then do the FI course to instruct a PPL. Is there an easier way of taking them if the only purpose of the exams is to enable you to become a voluntary instructor.

Grateful of any advice?

['India-Mike]

LASORS Sec. J p.2 Col.2 para.1 'All applications for a booking for any ATPL , CPL or IR examination (including re-sits) must be recommended and countersigned by the Chief Ground Instructor.....of an approved training provider'.

Suggests the answer to your question is 'no' I'm afraid....

[FlyingIsFun]

You have to the CPL ground exams, for either paid or unpaid and you have to enrol with a formal groundschool teaching establishment as they have to endorse your exam application to the CAA. I did mine distance learning about 4 years ago. For CPL I dont think you have to go for 4 weeks in house. I arranged to do a one day in house class for each of the 9 CPL subjects. So it was 9 days over about 15 months in my case... which worked out to be manageable.

It may all change under EASA in 08 or 09, but who knows....

Speaking personally, whilst a lot the CPL theoretical knowledge is widely regarded as being over the top for SEPL PPL instructing, (how jet turbines work, how to navigate from Sydney to Moscow, etc) as an Instructor you are supposed to be able to teach the groundschool courses at PPL level as well as teach the flying lessons to students, so working through the CPL knowledge certainly got me back up to speed in that respect.

[Captain Stravaigin]

Forget the CAA CPL exams and the FI rating. There is a far easier route,especially if you just want to immerse yourself gradually.

It is called the Class Rating Instructor. U only need a PPL, it takes a week for the course (around £1.6k) and allows u to take non- ab initio pilots airborne, conduct differences training, bi-annual check rides and SEP refreshers. U cannot be paid but that sounds like no problem for you.

I just finished the course on Friday. Apparently this is a new rating (about 2 years old) and few people have heard of it.

Worth checking out.

Gud Luck:ok:

[bluenose81huskys]

ONLY IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING PRE COURSE ENTRY REQUIRMENTS FOR THE TYPE RATING INSTRUCTOR:

a) a current aircraft rating to act as PIC of the aeroplane on which instruction is to be undertaken
(b) flown at least 300 hours flight time as pilot of aeroplanes
(c) flown at least 30 hours of flight time on the applicable type or class of aeroplane prior to commencing the course
(d) completed an approved course of training and pass a skill test
Whilst these requirements are to be met prior to the application for a CRI SE rating it is assumed that the candidate will possess the requirements of (a) to (c) inclusive before commencing the course

[TheOddOne]

It is called the Class Rating Instructor. U only need a PPL, it takes a week for the course (around £1.6k) and allows u to take non- ab initio pilots airborne, conduct differences training, bi-annual check rides and SEP refreshers.

Cap'n,

Yes, it's good, isn't it? I did it in Aug '06 to see if I'd like instructing (and if it would like me!) I'd recommend it to anyone and I don't think the experience requirements are too onerous.

It gave me a taste for it (and some experience) so I did the full-blown FI course this Summer. Beware, though, the silly old CAA won't give you any credit for having had some of the exact FI course content and passed a test almost identical to the full FI test 8 months prior to starting the course AND be in current instructing practice. They EVEN insisted that I did the pre-course flight check to see if I was good enough to start the FI course, having passed the FI test 8 months previously! My instructor was hopping mad on my behalf! I think there's a regular pprune contributor out there who should be a bit hang-dog about it.

Cheers,
TRheOddOne

[Captain Stravaigin]

Curses !! :uhoh: I was sure that the CRI gave me some exemptions from the full FI course - have I been mis-informed ?

I was planning to do the JAA Instructor's course - but if no joy there I may do the FAA one (as I am based out in Malaysia and being able to do FAA BFRs as well will give me 2 strings to my bow). In fact in terms of instructing the CRI seems to give me most of the privileges I would want.

How attractive that would be to Flight Schools I am not sure, but I believe White Waltham have one on their books at the moment and if there are aircraft on the ground not flying then a CRI is better than half a loaf !!

[BillieBob]

JAR-FCL 1.310(c) - Applicants for further instructor authorisations or ratings may be credited with the teaching and learning skills already demonstrated for the instructor authorisation or rating held.

If the CAA will not allow this credit (which amounts to about 25 hours) against the FI course, you have the right of appeal under Regulation 6.

[Solar]

Can anybody supply me with any info on schools/training establishments providing CRI courses?
Thanks
Solar

[Captain Stravaigin]

Hi Solar,

I did mine at On Track Aviation at Wellesbourne, near Stratford. They do SEP or MEP options. They specialise in Instructor training and seem very professional.

You can also do it part time at Booker. (Wycombe Air). I think On Track are one of the few places to offer the full time option.

Gud Luck !:ok:

[TheOddOne]

Can anybody supply me with any info on schools/training establishments providing CRI courses?


Yes, The Pilot Centre at Denham here (http://www.egld.com/tpc/)

TheOddOne

[Solar]

Thanks lads.
Capt S you said you were based in Malaysia, I have just completed two years offshore Kota Bahru and am Presently in Vietnam.
I tried to get some flying in in KL but could never managed to contact the club based at the old airport, definitely no private flying down here though great people.

[Captain Stravaigin]

Hi Solar,

I am based in KL and fly from the Royal Selangor Flying Club at the Old Airport. I got my MY PPL last year, sadly they don't seem to allow IR in a single.

I travelled thru Vietnam 2 months ago, went diving in Nha Trang and took several days on the Re-Unification Express to Hanoi.

Hv not been to Kota Bahru as yet, but have flown to Tioman, Pangkor, Melakka, Pinang and Alor Star.

Let me know when u r next in town. [email protected]

Cheers

[Solar]

Hi Capn S
Our contract here has just been extended for another 6 months from Feb 2008 so I'll probably be here until years end. I know they want us back in Malaysia but who knows.
Kota Bahru would be a place you would go to only to get it in your log book, there's not a lot happening in the town though I belive the offshore islands are interesting if you like diving and such.

Cheers
Solar