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3 Answers

Complex/Spin training required for CFI- Initial?

Asked by: 3639 views , , , ,
FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

Needing to know if I NEED to have my spin training endorsement for my Initial check ride as well as using a complex aircraft for the check ride? I currently have a C-182J. 
According to the revision of the PTS on Jan. 15, 2015 "The FAA finds the requirements for the use of a complex airplane are not necessary when the applicant has already satisfactorily demonstrated the takeoff, landing, emergency, and other Tasks contained within this PTS in a complex airplane." I am complex endorsed but do I need to have a complex aircraft for the check ride (Retractable gear)?

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3 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Jan 21, 2017

    My goodness! One would think that a candidate for a Flight Instructor certificate would have read 61.183 which contains the eligibility requirements. 61.183(i) contains the requirement for spin training and the endorsement attesting to that training.

    As far as the complex airplane requirement, the prior demonstration must have been made to an examiner during a practical test. If you performed the maneuvers during a practical test for a Flight Instructor Multiengine certificate, you would have already demonstrated the tasks to an examiner and could take the Single Engine practical in a fixed gear airplane.

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  2. Cameron Martin on Jan 21, 2017

    Yeah I was all sorts of turned around, haven’t touched a FAR/AIM in years, got comfortable with my current job. One of my previous instructors had told me that if I didn’t have the spin endorsment that I could demonstrate a spin during the check ride. I’m going for my ASEL CFI for the initial. Trying to skip the MEI, looking for a loop hole so I don’t have to travel 8 hours away to do the check ride. Guess I might have to bite the bullet on this one.

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  3. Kris Kortokrax on Jan 22, 2017

    You can skip the MEI. You just need to do the single engine CFI practical test in a complex airplane. Not sure why one would need to travel 8 hours to take the test unless you’re in Alaska.

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