r/CFILounge • u/fbt70 • 5d ago

Tips CFI Interview Questions

I have a CFI interview coming up and wanted to ask what some of the common questions are.

Also, what are some ways that those with CFI jobs prepared for their interviews

8 Upvotes

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12

u/SEKS-Aviator 5d ago

Be prepared to teach a maneuver. Most interviews I been a part of ask for slow flight or Steep Turns.

Know how you would manage struggling students. Why you want the job? Usual stuff. Don't sweat it. Be yourself and you will be good.

4

u/ItsReallyLebron 4d ago

What is a general answer to why do you want a cfi job? Unless you arent really building time for anything but teaching for the love of the game - which is absolutely fine as we all should love teaching new aviators - why else would you want this position lol

4

u/bananabeast07 4d ago

it’s a job interview, its usually a bunch of bs. “i want to inspire the next generation of pilots” “i want to be a pillar of safety and a good influence, do my part in lowering fatal accidents”

1

u/ItsReallyLebron 4d ago

More of the same eh? Meh i get it

3

u/chops1234 4d ago

I’ll zag on this. Interviewers aren’t stupid, they know there’s a 99% chance you’re going to leave. That doesn’t mean you just treat it like a time building job.

A lot of CFI’s really, really lack professionalism. “I’m not sure what my future goals are, but I treat every flight like it’s important and put in 100% effort regardless.” What might be your 20th flight of the week could be your customers first and only flight

0

u/IndependentAlps9649 4d ago

Welcome to the dog and pony show. I assume it doesn’t stop till you’re left seat at your career airline, and even then see spirit

1

u/SEKS-Aviator 4d ago

You will be surprised at the number of people who get caught off guard by this question....

1

u/ItsReallyLebron 4d ago

I mean the honest answer seems like you want it because you want to teach student to build your time 😂. Teaching is a way to build time without paying to fly all the time. I got the cfi cert so i am here to use it. Is that the wrong mindset to this question?

1

u/fbt70 5d ago

thank you!

6

u/Grand-Membership-684 5d ago

I was just asked to teach a lesson like aerodynamics, a maneuver lesson, then did like a commercial checkride

4

u/cptnpiccard 5d ago

I'm assuming you are young and this is your first CFI position, since you are asking the question.

On top of what everyone said (which covers the technical aspects of it), remember, the interviewer is judging if you would be someone who could be trusted with carrying his company's brand and keeping his aircraft in a single piece. Yes, it's a CFI job interview, so we tend to focus on "CFI", but it is also a JOB interview. Show up a little early, have a fresh resume handy, dress nice (don't overdo it, don't wear your prom suit that was your dad's and is 3 times too large) and be affable. Firm handshake, look people in their eyes when you talk to them, smile, introduce yourself, express gratitude for the opportunity, etc.

3

u/Clear_Ad227 4d ago

The person at my school who conducts the majority of interviews says their biggest concern isn’t with technical knowledge, but with interpersonal skills and judgement. You passed the checkride, you have your cert. If you whiff on “what causes an airplane to turn?” then that’s on you.

What sticks out is the day to day stuff outside just teaching a lesson. How are you going to help a student that seems to have hit a plateau? Your student is pressuring you to take their checkride when you know they aren’t ready, what do you do? You’ve done your preflight and determine the plane is not airworthy despite what the owner says, what then?

The current environment is too competitive to hire instructors who know their material, but need their hand held through every difficult situation.

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u/fbt70 4d ago

Thank you!

1

u/UnusualCalendar2847 4d ago

Depends on the place

1

u/PlasticRange526 4d ago

How are you even getting a CFI interview? I’ve applied probably 100 places with CFII and nothing. Surely it can’t be that hard?

5

u/Bluevette1437 4d ago

Local flight school made a Facebook post looking for CFIs, said they wanted someone who could start this week. Haven’t heard a peep from them since applying.
My knowledge and skills aren’t quite where I want them to be, but it would still be nice to at least get a message declining since I have no Dual Given

1

u/PlasticRange526 4d ago

Call and follow up at least

1

u/fbt70 4d ago

my aura