The CFII oral tests your ability to teach instrument flying. Answer in your own words, then cite. Confirm exact paragraphs as you study.
Reference shorthand: IFH = Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B); IPH = Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16); AIH = Aviation Instructor’s Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9); AIM; PTS = FAA-S-8081-9E (supersedes 8081-9D). This is a PTS, not an ACS — confirm the current edition and Area/Task references.
I–II · Fundamentals of Instructing & Technical Subjects
How do you teach the instrument scan, and why is primacy critical?
Demonstration-performance, explaining control/performance before technique, building the scan in manageable blocks. Primacy makes first learning lasting — a scan learned wrong early is hard to fix, so teach it correctly from the start.
Cite: AIH; IFH (Attitude Instrument Flying).
What are the instrument currency and IFR equipment/inspection requirements?
61.57(c)/(d): six approaches, holding, and intercepting/tracking within 6 calendar months (or an IPC). Equipment per 91.205(d) (GRAB CARD); inspections: pitot-static/altimeter and transponder (91.411/91.413) and a recorded VOR check (91.171).
Explain the vestibular/visual illusions (the leans, Coriolis, somatogravic) and that the body misleads in IMC; the fix is to trust and fly the instruments. Helicopters at low level/night are especially vulnerable.
When is an IFR alternate required, and what about icing?
The 1-2-3 rule (91.167/169): file an alternate if the destination forecast is below 2,000-ft ceiling or 3 SM from 1 hr before to 1 hr after ETA. Icing is a no-go for a piston helicopter.
Cite: 14 CFR 91.167/169; IFH/IPH.
How do you copy and comply with an IFR clearance, and choose a holding entry?
CRAFT (Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder) with full readback. Holding entry by the ±70° rule (direct, teardrop, parallel); standard pattern is right turns, 1-minute legs at/below 14,000 ft with wind correction.
Cite: AIM Chapter 5.
VI–VII · Flight by Reference & Navigation Aids
Explain the control/performance method and the most common error.
Set an attitude and power (control instruments) and cross-check the performance instruments to confirm, using the attitude indicator as the hub. The most common error is fixation/scan breakdown — keep the cross-check moving.
Cite: IFH (Attitude Instrument Flying).
What are the common VOR and GPS errors to teach?
VOR: mis-tuned/un-ident’d station and reverse sensing. GPS: mode confusion (LEG vs OBS/SUSP) and an out-of-date database. Teach tune-identify-confirm and cross-checking the box against raw data and the chart.
Cite: IFH (Navigation Systems); AIM.
VIII · Instrument Approach Procedures
How do you teach a complete approach briefing?
Four questions: what is it (name/type/currency/freq/ident), how do I get in (IAF, course, FAF, step-downs), how low and how do I land (MDA/DA, visibility, VDP, circling), and what if I miss (MAP, first action, routing).
Cite: IPH; FAA Chart User’s Guide.
Difference between MDA and DA, and the rule at each?
MDA (nonprecision) is a floor — level at it to the MAP if not visual. DA (precision/LPV) is a decision height — if not visual and in position to land, the missed approach must already be underway. Intercept the glideslope from below to avoid a false glideslope.
Cite: IFH; IPH.
IX–X · Emergency Operations & Postflight
Teach me the lost-communications procedure.
Squawk 7600. If VFR conditions, continue VFR and land as soon as practicable. In IMC fly the AVEF route (Assigned, Vectored, Expected, Filed) and the highest of Assigned/Expected/MEA by segment, beginning the approach at the EFC time or near the ETA. Stay predictable.
Cite: 14 CFR 91.185; AIM 6-4.
How do you teach a partial-panel approach and inadvertent-IMC recovery?
Diagnose by cross-check (the lone disagreeing instrument is the suspect), build a scan from the survivors/standby/reversionary display, pick the simplest achievable approach, declare, and configure early. Inadvertent IMC: control on instruments, climb for terrain, turn toward VMC, get help — never scud-run.
Cite: IFH (Emergencies); 91.185.
FLAGS for Walter: CFII-Helicopter uses the PTS (FAA-S-8081-9E), not an ACS — there are no ACS codes; confirm the current edition and Area/Task references. Confirm IFR-trainer avionics and inspection currency; the R44 is VFR-certificated, so all instrument procedures assume an IFR-approved trainer/sim. Underlying instrument content aligns with the Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8).