Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about our checkride study guides. No fluff.
How is this different from the CFII Lesson Plans?
The Study Guide helps you practice answering oral questions. The Lesson Plans help you organize and teach lessons.
Use this guide to test your understanding through questions, answers, and scenarios. Our CFII Lesson Plans provide editable teaching material you can personalize and practice presenting. They complement each other, but lesson plans are purchased separately and are not included with this guide.
I already have the Instrument Checkride Study Guide. How is this different?
The Instrument Checkride Study Guide prepares you for your instrument-rating oral. The CFII Checkride Study Guide is organized around instrument-instructor preparation, including questions to work through and subjects to practice teaching.
Some instrument knowledge overlaps, but the CFII guide adds an instructor-focused perspective, for example, explaining currency requirements to a student and reviewing questions about conducting an Instrument Proficiency Check.
Does it cover instrument currency, IPCs, and real-world IFR scenarios?
Yes! The guide includes instrument currency, Instrument Proficiency Checks (IPCs), lost communications, and IFR regulations. Practice includes reviewing an approach-log example to determine currency and working through questions about maintaining or regaining it.
Is this for the CFII oral checkride or the written exam?
This guide focuses on oral checkride preparation, using mock-oral questions and prompts for subjects you should practice teaching.
Use a dedicated knowledge-test resource for your written exam, and work through this guide alongside your flight training and teaching practice.
What’s included, and how do I receive it?
You’ll receive two PDFs—a questions-only version and a separate answer key—plus a guided study plan. The material includes scenario practice and common checkride weak spots to help organize your review.
This is a digital download, not a physical book. Access is delivered electronically after successful payment. Save your files so you can study on your computer, tablet, or phone using a compatible PDF reader.
Does this follow the CFII PTS, and will I receive updates?
Yes! The guide is designed around the Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards (PTS). For the airplane instrument-instructor rating, the FAA currently lists FAA-S-8081-9E, rather than the Flight Instructor Airplane ACS used for the non-instrument instructor test.
Updated versions are emailed to you when revisions are released. Keep your latest copy and use it alongside current FAA references and your instructor’s guidance.
Who created this study guide?
Ava (@pilot.avabelle), an airline pilot and E175 simulator instructor, developed the guide. Her background includes serving as a lead flight instructor and check airman at the University of North Dakota, administering 100+ certificate-granting checkrides, and personally training 40+ students with a 100% oral checkride pass rate. Her teaching and evaluation experience informs the guide’s practical approach to checkride preparation.
Still have questions?
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