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FAA-S-8081-6D

Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards - Airplane (CFI PTS)

The Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards (FAA-S-8081-6D) is the free FAA document defining the standards for the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) practical test for airplane. It outlines the Areas of Operation including fundamentals of instruction, technical subject areas, preflight procedures, and all flight maneuvers the CFI applicant must be able to teach and demonstrate. Download it at no cost from FAA.gov.

Download Free PDFView on FAA.gov

Why This Document Matters

The CFI PTS is unique because the CFI checkride is not just about flying—it is about teaching. The DPE evaluates your ability to instruct, not just perform. For each maneuver, you must demonstrate the ability to explain, demonstrate, recognize and correct common errors, and evaluate student performance. The oral portion is extensive, covering fundamentals of instruction, technical subject areas, and your knowledge of the teaching process. The CFI checkride is widely regarded as the most challenging practical test in general aviation.

Study This Document in One Loop

What is the Study Loop?

A 30-60 minute scenario-first session that replaces hours of passive reading.

Stage 1

Scenario

Your CFI-Airplane checkride is in 5 days. The DPE's routine: pick one Private Pilot maneuver and one Commercial maneuver, and you teach him from the ground up — including common errors. He'll pretend to be a confused student and throw three objections. Then you do it in the airplane from the right seat.
Stage 2

Decision

Which maneuvers are you weakest teaching (vs. performing)? What are the three most common student errors for each, and what's your correction strategy? How will you handle a student who says "I can't do this"?
Write your answer before you open the handbook. That exposes the gap.
Stage 3

Targeted Learning

Open only these sections of the CFI PTS:

  • Area I — Fundamentals of Instruction (learning theory, teaching methods, assessment)
  • Area II — Technical Subject Areas (aeromedical, runway incursion, regs, aerodynamics)
  • Area IV — Takeoffs, Landings, Go-Arounds (teach each from both seats)
  • Area VIII — Slow Flight, Stalls, Spin Awareness (spin aerodynamics + PARE recovery)
Stage 4

Debrief

Compare your Decision to what the handbook says:

  • ?For each maneuver: can you explain the aerodynamics, demonstrate the technique, and analyze three common errors? If not, you will bust.
  • ?Spin awareness: P-A-R-E recovery (Power off, Ailerons neutral, Rudder opposite, Elevator through neutral). Teach it to someone.
  • ?Endorsements: can you write a solo endorsement, XC endorsement, and knowledge test endorsement verbatim with correct FAR cite?
  • ?The "confused student" trap: the DPE will ask something you don't know. Say "I don't know, let's look it up together" — do NOT bluff.
Stage 5

Reinforcement

Turn your biggest miss into fast-recall rules:

  • Teaching beats performing on the CFI checkride. You can fly perfectly and still fail if you can't teach.
  • PARE for spin recovery: Power, Ailerons, Rudder, Elevator. Recite in order.
  • Every CFI endorsement needs: date, student name, certificate number, FAR cite, CFI name, CFI cert number, expiration, signature.

What Order to Read the CFI PTS

Don't read by chapter number. Work the four phases. Start with whichever you're weakest in.

Survival Thinking

“What can hurt me?”

  • •Area VIII — Spin awareness (aerodynamics + recovery + CFI-specific regulations)
  • •Area IX — Emergency operations from the right seat

Interpretation

“What am I looking at?”

  • •Area I — FOI integrated into every flight Task you teach
  • •Area II — Technical Subject Areas (the CFI oral grab-bag)

Prediction

“What will happen?”

  • •Area III — Preflight lesson (objectives, completion standards, risk management)
  • •Area IV-VII — Teaching maneuvers from right seat with student-level explanations

Checkride Mode

“Can I explain it under pressure?”

  • •Every PTS Task has two parts: teaching from the ground + demonstrating in the air. Rehearse both.
  • •Endorsements: memorize 4-5 most common endorsements verbatim
  • •Area VIII — Spin aerodynamics and PARE recovery taught out loud to the DPE

Chapter-by-Chapter Guide

What each section covers and the key topics to study

1

Area I: Fundamentals of Instruction

The learning process, human behavior, effective communication, the teaching process, assessment, and instructor responsibilities.

Key Topics

Learning processHuman behaviorTeaching methodsAssessment techniquesProfessional responsibilities
2

Area II: Technical Subject Areas

Aeromedical factors, visual scanning, runway incursion avoidance, principles of flight, aircraft systems, and regulations.

Key Topics

Aeromedical factorsPrinciples of flightAircraft systemsAirspace and regulationsLogbook entries and endorsements
3

Area III-XII: Flight Maneuvers

All Private and Commercial flight maneuvers, with emphasis on teaching ability.

Key Topics

Teaching takeoffs and landingsTeaching slow flight and stallsTeaching ground reference maneuversTeaching emergency proceduresSpin awareness and recovery

Study Tips

  • Prepare to teach every maneuver, not just fly it. The DPE will ask you to explain, demonstrate, and analyze each one.
  • Create lesson plans for every Area of Operation. The DPE may ask to see your lesson plans during the checkride.
  • Practice giving flight briefings aloud. Use the explain-demonstrate-guide-practice model for each maneuver.
  • Know all the endorsements a CFI is responsible for (student pilot solo, knowledge test, practical test, flight reviews, etc.) and be able to write them correctly.
  • Study spin awareness thoroughly. CFI applicants must demonstrate a thorough understanding of spin aerodynamics and the PARE recovery method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CFI PTS free?

Yes, the Flight Instructor PTS (FAA-S-8081-6D) is a free PDF from FAA.gov.

Why does the CFI still use a PTS instead of an ACS?

As of the current publication, the FAA has not yet converted the Flight Instructor practical test to ACS format. It still uses the Practical Test Standards. The FAA may release a CFI ACS in the future.

How long is the CFI checkride?

The CFI checkride is typically the longest practical test in general aviation. The oral portion alone can last 4-6 hours, and the flight portion adds another 1-2 hours. Total checkride time of 6-8 hours is common.

Do I need to demonstrate spins on the CFI checkride?

The PTS requires CFI applicants to demonstrate instructional knowledge of spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures. Whether you actually perform a spin depends on the aircraft and the DPE. You must demonstrate a thorough understanding of spin aerodynamics and the PARE recovery method.

Quick Facts

Document ID
FAA-S-8081-6D
Cost
Free
Publisher
FAA

Applies To

CFI
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Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards - Airplane (FAA-S-8081-6D) is an official FAA publication available at FAA.gov

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