Chasing the CFI: Passing the FIA Written and Climbing Toward the Checkride

One of the biggest leaps a pilot can take is transitioning from flying for themselves to teaching others. It’s a challenge that pushes you to understand aviation more deeply than ever before—and that journey starts with the FIA written exam. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I passed the Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) knowledge test, what comes next, and the road toward the CFI Initial Checkride, often called one of the toughest checkrides in general aviation.

Starting the Journey: Why CFI?

As a commercial and instrument-rated pilot flying my Mooney M20E, I’ve spent countless hours exploring new airports and sharpening my skills. But I’ve always known I wanted to teach. Becoming a CFI isn’t just about logging hours—it’s about giving back to the aviation community and helping new pilots build solid, safe foundations.

With that in mind, I began knocking out the required steps:

• Hold a commercial pilot certificate (✅)

• Pass the FIA (Flight Instructor Airplane) written (✅)

• Pass the FOI (Fundamentals of Instruction) written (soon)

• Complete spin training and receive an endorsement (soon)

• Build detailed lesson plans and prep for the oral and flight exam (in progress)

  
  

Studying for the FIA: Sheppard Air Only

Let’s be real—FAA knowledge tests are more about strategy than studying everything in the books. I went all-in with Sheppard Air, and honestly, I wouldn't recommend anything else if your goal is to pass efficiently and confidently.

Their system is simple: memorize the correct answers, understand the structure, and work the questions until you're scoring 95%+ every time. The software isn't flashy, but it’s brutally effective. I spent about two weeks focusing solely on their study method—nights after work, early mornings, and in between flights.

When I sat for the FIA, I felt completely prepared. There were no surprises. Just another step checked off on the road to becoming a CFI.

What Comes Next: The Climb

With the FIA knocked out, here’s how I’m approaching the next phase:

✅ Spin Training

This FAA requirement under 61.183(i) can’t be done in my Mooney, so I’ll be hopping into a more suitable airframe with a qualified instructor to complete this soon. It’s one thing to know spins academically—another to experience, recover from, and teach them.

✅ Lesson Plans

This is a huge part of the CFI checkride, and I wanted to make sure I had a strong foundation. So I invested in a set of Backseat Pilot lesson plans—a decision I highly recommend if you’re short on time or looking for a solid base to work from.

The Backseat Pilot plans are professional, organized, and ready to go right out of the gate. I’m customizing them to fit my personal teaching style, but having that structure is a massive time-saver. Whether you’re building your own from scratch or adapting a set like this, lesson plans are where you show the DPE that you’re serious about teaching, not just flying.

✅ Mock Orals and Teaching Practice

The CFI Initial oral is intense—usually 4 to 6+ hours of nonstop Q&A, where you’ll be asked to teach concepts on the fly, brief flights, and break down complex aerodynamics. I’m working with experienced CFIs to do mock orals and teach-back sessions to prepare for that pressure.

✅ Flight Training

Teaching from the right seat is a whole different ballgame. I’m logging right-seat time and practicing maneuver demonstrations from the instructor’s perspective—thinking ahead, verbalizing corrections, and adapting to a student’s pace.

Eyes on the Prize: The CFI Initial Checkride

They say the CFI checkride is one of the hardest in general aviation—and I believe it. You’re not just being tested as a pilot, but as an educator, mentor, and safety advocate. You need to know the regulations cold, explain aerodynamics with clarity, and fly to commercial standards while teaching.

It’s a high bar—but that’s what makes it worth it.

Wrapping Up

Passing the FIA written was a key milestone, and it marks the beginning of the most mentally demanding flying I’ve done yet. But the goal is clear: to become a skilled, safe, and knowledgeable instructor who can pass that knowledge forward.

Fly safe, teach well, and stay tuned.

– Bay Breeze Aviation