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The CFI Knowledge Tests and Checkride in Drawings One Topic on Every Page

See it, then explain it like an instructor. Levels of learning, defense mechanisms, the teaching process, load factor, left-turning tendencies, stalls, chandelles, eights on pylons and endorsements: one page each, the drawing first, then what to remember and what to say. 66 illustrated pages.

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Every topic, its own pageEach concept and maneuver drawn, with the explanation right beside it
66 illustrated pages8 parts, from how students learn to checkride day
Up-to-date sourcesFAA-H-8083-9B, the Flight Instructor ACS and 14 CFR Part 61
PDF by emailFormat

Look Inside the Book

Every page has one big drawing and a box with the numbers, steps and teaching points you need to know:

8 defense mechanisms, numbered and drawn: projection blames someone, rationalization makes an excuse.
8 defense mechanisms, numbered and drawn: projection blames someone, rationalization makes an excuse.
Solo 90 days, checkride prep 2 calendar months, flight review 24 calendar months, passengers 3 in 90.
Solo 90 days, checkride prep 2 calendar months, flight review 24 calendar months, passengers 3 in 90.
Torque, spiraling slipstream, gyroscopic precession and P-factor: high power, high AoA.
Torque, spiraling slipstream, gyroscopic precession and P-factor: high power, high AoA.
Power-off stall: autopilot off, pitch down, wings level, power, flight path.
Power-off stall: autopilot off, pitch down, wings level, power, flight path.
Power-on stall: P-factor yaws left at high AoA and power; hold right rudder.
Power-on stall: P-factor yaws left at high AoA and power; hold right rudder.
Pivotal altitude ≈ GS² ÷ 11.3: at 100 knots, about 885 ft AGL.
Pivotal altitude ≈ GS² ÷ 11.3: at 100 knots, about 885 ft AGL.
Reliable is not valid: a test can be consistent and still measure the wrong thing
Reliable is not valid: a test can be consistent and still measure the wrong thing
60° of bank = 2 G and a stall speed about 41% higher
60° of bank = 2 G and a stall speed about 41% higher

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These are real pages from the book. The table of contents is the full one: 8 parts and 62 topics.

The Problem Isn't You. It's How It Was Explained to You.

You're in a mock lesson and the examiner asks: “Your student keeps drifting left on the takeoff roll. Explain why.” You know it's the left-turning tendencies. Naming all four and saying when each one matters is where you freeze.

In the handbook, torque, spiraling slipstream, gyroscopic precession and P-factor are four blocks of text, each with its own physics. Nothing ties them together, so by the next morning they blur into one.

Torque, spiraling slipstream, gyroscopic precession and P-factor: high power, high AoA.

In the book, it's one page: the airplane drawn with an arrow for each force, and a box that says when each one matters: torque, slipstream and P-factor at high power and low airspeed, precession only when the pitch changes. You see all four at once.

Same with the levels of learning, the defense mechanisms, load factor in a turn, pivotal altitude and the recency windows: each one on its own page.

So when the examiner asks, you sketch it on the whiteboard and explain it like an instructor. No going back to the handbook.

COMPARE FOR YOURSELF

Same Topic, Two Ways to Study It

THIS
  • The handbook: line after line
  • Endorsements and recency rules explained only in words
  • You walk into the checkride unsure
Pursuant to 14 CFR 61.87, a student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight unless that student's logbook has been endorsed by an authorized instructor within the 90 days preceding the date of the flight. In addition, under 61.39 the applicant for a practical test must have received and logged training within the preceding 2 calendar months, 61.56 requires completion of a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months, and 61.57 requires three takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days before carrying passengers.
FOR THIS
  • Each recency window in one drawing
  • The days and months in one box
  • You see it and you get it
Solo 90 days, checkride prep 2 calendar months, flight review 24 calendar months, passengers 3 in 90.
CONTENTS

Take a Look at the 8 Parts and 62 Topics

How students learn, the student as a person, the teaching process, assessment and critique, the instructor's job, aerodynamics, teaching each maneuver and checkride prep: 66 pages, all illustrated.

IHow Students Learn · pp. 5-13
  1. The 4 Levels of Learning
  2. The 3 Domains of Learning
  3. Principles of Learning: Readiness to Recency
  4. Perception and the 6 Factors That Shape It
  5. Insight: When the Pieces Connect
  6. Maslow's Hierarchy in the Cockpit
  7. How Memory Works
  8. Why Students Forget
  9. Transfer of Learning and Learning Plateaus
IIThe Student as a Person · pp. 14-19
  1. The 8 Defense Mechanisms
  2. Obstacles to Learning
  3. Anxiety and Stress Reactions
  4. Motivation: Positive vs Negative
  5. Fatigue: Acute and Chronic
  6. The Adult Learner
IIIThe Teaching Process · pp. 20-28
  1. The 4 Steps of the Teaching Process
  2. Building Block Learning
  3. The Lesson Plan, Element by Element
  4. Writing Objectives: Description, Conditions, Criteria
  5. Lecture and Guided Discussion
  6. The Demonstration-Performance Method
  7. Telling-and-Doing in 4 Steps
  8. Asking Good Questions
  9. Scenario-Based Training
IVAssessment and Critique · pp. 29-34
  1. Traditional vs Authentic Assessment
  2. The Collaborative Assessment: 4 R's and LCS
  3. Qualities of a Good Critique
  4. Methods of Critique
  5. Qualities of a Good Written Test
  6. Test Item Types
VThe Instructor's Job: Safety, ADM and the Rules · pp. 35-41
  1. Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism
  2. Positive Exchange of Flight Controls
  3. The 5 Hazardous Attitudes and Their Antidotes
  4. ADM Tools: DECIDE, 3P, PAVE, IMSAFE
  5. Single-Pilot Resource Management
  6. CFI Privileges and Limits Under Part 61
  7. Key Endorsements and Recency Rules
VIAerodynamics You'll Have to Explain · pp. 42-51
  1. The Four Forces and the Lift Equation
  2. Angle of Attack and the Critical AoA
  3. Load Factor in a Turn
  4. Stall Speed Goes Up With Load Factor
  5. Maneuvering Speed and Weight
  6. Drag Curves and L/D Max
  7. Left-Turning Tendencies
  8. Stability: Longitudinal, Lateral, Directional
  9. CG Position: Forward vs Aft
  10. Ground Effect and Density Altitude
VIITeaching Each Maneuver · pp. 52-62
  1. Slow Flight
  2. Power-Off Stall
  3. Power-On Stall
  4. Demonstration Stalls: Accelerated, Cross-Control, Elevator Trim
  5. Spin Awareness and the PARE Recovery
  6. Steep Turns
  7. Chandelle and Lazy Eight
  8. Eights on Pylons and Pivotal Altitude
  9. Ground Reference: Rectangular Course, S-Turns, Turns Around a Point
  10. Short-Field and Soft-Field Takeoffs and Landings
  11. Emergencies: Engine Failure, Power-Off 180, Go-Around
VIIICheckride Ready · pp. 63-66
  1. "Teach Me…": A 4-Point Script for Any Topic
  2. FOI Terms That Get Confused
  3. Aerodynamics Numbers at a Glance
  4. Checkride Day Checklist

One Page, One Topic, All Clear

Think of it this way:

It's checkride day. The examiner leans back and says, “Teach me eights on pylons.” You have to explain pivotal altitude to someone who already knows it cold.

In the book, you open that page and see the pylon drawn from above, the line from your eye along the wingtip, and the box: pivotal altitude ≈ groundspeed² ÷ 11.3, so at 100 knots, about 885 feet AGL. The formula, the picture and what to say, on one page.

Power-on stall: P-factor yaws left at high AoA and power; hold right rudder.

Same with the power-off stall, the chandelle and the lazy eight, the 8 defense mechanisms and the 5 hazardous attitudes: each one on its own page.

Flight Instructor Illustrated is 8 parts and 62 topics, all drawn, and it ends with a 4-point “Teach me…” script, the FOI terms that get confused and the aerodynamics numbers at a glance.

What you see drawn, you don't have to memorize.

What's Inside Flight Instructor Illustrated:

Ipp. 5-13

How Students Learn

The 4 levels of learning, the 3 domains, the principles of learning, perception, insight, memory, forgetting and learning plateaus.

IIpp. 14-19

The Student as a Person

The 8 defense mechanisms, obstacles to learning, anxiety and stress, motivation, fatigue and the adult learner.

IIIpp. 20-28

The Teaching Process

The 4 steps of teaching, building blocks, the lesson plan, objectives, lecture, demonstration-performance, telling-and-doing, questions and scenario-based training.

IVpp. 29-34

Assessment and Critique

Traditional vs authentic assessment, learner-centered grading, the qualities and methods of a good critique, oral questions, written tests and item types.

Vpp. 35-41

The Instructor's Job: Safety, ADM and the Rules

Instructor responsibilities, positive exchange of flight controls, hazardous attitudes, DECIDE, 3P, PAVE, IMSAFE, SRM, CFI privileges and endorsements.

VIpp. 42-51

Aerodynamics You'll Have to Explain

The four forces, angle of attack, load factor, stall speed, maneuvering speed, drag curves, left-turning tendencies, stability, CG, ground effect and density altitude.

VIIpp. 52-62

Teaching Each Maneuver

Slow flight, power-off and power-on stalls, demonstration stalls, spin awareness, steep turns, chandelle and lazy eight, eights on pylons, ground reference, short and soft field, emergencies.

VIIIpp. 63-66

Checkride Ready

A 4-point “Teach me…” script, the FOI terms that get confused, the aerodynamics numbers at a glance and a checkride day checklist.

At the end of the book: A 4-point “Teach me…” script, the FOI terms that get confused and the aerodynamics numbers on one page.

SHOW ME WHAT'S INSIDE

Plus: 2 Free Books

FOI & FIA Practice Questions

BONUS 1: «FOI & FIA Practice Questions»

Value on its own: US$ 17.90

Exam-style questions with the answer explained and the page to review, so you find your weak topics before test day.

The 15 Most Common CFI Mistakes, Before & After

BONUS 2: «The 15 Most Common CFI Mistakes, Before & After»

Value on its own: US$ 14.90

The mistakes new instructors make most often, each drawn wrong and then right, so you don't repeat them in front of the examiner.

Flight Instructor Illustrated with 2 Free Books

  • Flight Instructor Illustrated: 66 illustrated pagesUS$ 63
  • BONUS 1: FOI & FIA Practice QuestionsUS$ 17.90
  • BONUS 2: The 15 Most Common CFI Mistakes, Before & AfterUS$ 14.90
  • High-resolution PDF to printIncluded
Total value US$ 95.80
YOUR PRICE:
US$ 27
You save US$ 68.80
YES, I WANT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ILLUSTRATED FOR US$ 27

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PDF by email: We email you Flight Instructor Illustrated as a PDF, together with the two free books. It's a single payment: no installments, no extra charges.

Who This Book Is For

You're studying for the FOI and FIA

You're studying for the FOI and FIA

The FOI theory and the aerodynamics become drawings you can review at a glance, one topic per page, instead of chapters that fade by morning.

Your CFI checkride is on the calendar

Your CFI checkride is on the calendar

Every maneuver is drawn as a flight path with its teaching points, so when the examiner says “teach me,” you know what to say and in what order.

You already teach as a CFI

You already teach as a CFI

A page to sketch from when a student asks why stall speed goes up in a turn, plus the endorsement and recency windows to keep in your flight bag.

Everything You Get Today

US$ 95.80US$ 27
YES, I WANT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ILLUSTRATED FOR US$ 27

📄 This is a digital PDF book sent to your email: nothing is printed or shipped.

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30-Day Guarantee

Try Flight Instructor Illustrated for 30 days, bonus books included.

We refund everything if the file won't open, if the book isn't what you see here, if you were charged twice or if the email doesn't arrive. Just email us.

You pay once. No subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it for me if I'm already a commercial pilot?

Yes. It doesn't teach you to fly: it shows you how to explain and teach what you already fly, plus the FOI theory most pilots never studied. It covers the FOI and the instructing side of the FIA: aerodynamics, every checkride maneuver, endorsements and recency. Weather, airspace and chart work are not in it, so keep your usual FIA prep for those.

Where does the content come from?

From the current FAA publications: Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B), Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), the Flight Instructor for Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-25), 14 CFR Part 61 and AC 61-65. Every number, step and window in the book is checked against them.

Is it official FAA material?

No. It's an independent illustrated study book based on those FAA publications. It isn't published or endorsed by the FAA.

Does it replace ground school or flight training?

No. It's study material. You still need training and endorsements from an authorized instructor, and spins and emergencies always follow the POH/AFM and instruction in the airplane.

I already use a test prep app. What does this add?

The app tells you if you picked the right answer. This book shows you why, with one drawing per topic you can sketch on a whiteboard, and how to teach each maneuver when the examiner says “teach me.” The practice questions in the bonus book are written for this book, in the style of the knowledge tests, with the answer explained and the page to review. They aren't official questions.

When and how do I get it?

The book and the 2 bonus books come as a PDF by email, to the address you enter at checkout.

Do I have to pay every month?

No. It's a one-time payment.

Can I have it on paper?

Yes. The PDF is printable, so you can print the pages you need and keep them in your flight bag or use them in a briefing.

How does the refund work?

You have 30 days. We refund everything if the file won't open, if the book isn't what you see on this page, if you were charged twice or if the email doesn't arrive: just email us.

Before You Close This Page

No more rereading the handbook with nothing sticking.

The left-turning tendencies, drawn and done.

You walk into the checkride knowing where everything is.

Drawings make studying faster.

The book is right below.

One-time payment: US$ 27 · Guarantee: 30 days · PDF by email

YES, I WANT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ILLUSTRATED FOR US$ 27

📄 This is a digital PDF book sent to your email: nothing is printed or shipped.