Ground portion

Be prepared to explain how things work in terms of principle of operation. Remember it's now your job to teach these things to your students so there is no excuse for not knowing the principle of operation of flight instruments, nav aids, receivers etc. Black magic is not something you can hang your hat on any longer. You have to know and be able to explain how everything works. In addition remember that this test is not about testing your skill so to speak. You already have an instrument rating. But can you teach instruments? That's what's in question. And to go one step further: Can you teach instruments while flying it yourself, save the day if your student can't perform and all the while know exactly where you are and what ATC expects you to do? This is the meat of the matter. Take this attitude to prepare for the practical test and you will be well served.

In particular you will probably be tested on:

• Flight instruments - how they work
• Navigation Systems - how they work in detail
• Navigation Receivers - how they work in detail
• GPS if you're equipped - Know about RAIM and the conditions you must apply when you get a RAIM warning.
• Departure Procedures - they're not always SIDs. How do you handle an IFR departure from a non towered airport?
• Holding procedures - inside and out - can you teach it?
• BAI - Primary/Supporting or Control Performance technique? Can you teach it?
• A method to go from zero to instrument rating. Do you have a syllabus and lesson plans to get you there?
• Endorsements - will you be the CFII who just signs preprinted stuff in the student's logbook even though its 20 years old and the FAR's in it don't even exist? Or will you be able to draw reference to the current FAR's and either make your own or insure that the ones you give are correct?
• Can you create an IFR flight plan by hand? No DUAT no automation?

Flight Portion

• Cockpit check - what are you checking and why?
• Departure procedure - simulated
• Teaching BAI
• Teaching Holding procedures
• Steep Turns
• Unusual Attitude recoveries both Partial and Full Panel
• ILS Approach - you evaluate me doing it
• Non Precision approach Partial Panel - You teach it
• Circle to land on the completion of an approach
• Missed Approach
• DME Arc's - usually made up from SJC or OAK

Common Problems on this test:

• Applicant has rote knowledge of how things work and how the ATC/IFR system works
• Can't teach instruments yet. Can teach private pilots but can't quite teach instruments
• Getting lost in the hold
• Partial panel - division of attention between the approach and how much to teach the student
• Endorsements - It's in the Jeppesen Logbook so it must be right syndrome. Consult the FAR and you'll know what you are signing
• Not knowing where you are at all times during IMC
  

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