CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 2 - 6

I CAN'T SAY THIS ENOUGH: DO A FOLDER AUDIT BEFORE SENDING AN
APPLICANT TO A PRACTICAL TEST.
Our flight training community has been complaining about lack of available
DPEs for testing. But on the other side of the discussion, DPEs have been
complaining about applicants whom they are unable to test because they
lack qualification documentation. In many cases, DPEs have indicated
that the qualification rejection rate approaches 30 percent of their
scheduled activities. This reduces the number of practical tests that get
completed and reduces the number of tests that DPEs can schedule for
other qualified applicants.
There is a solution to some of this, however. The recommending CFI needs
to get the paperwork correct so the DPE doesn't have to send an applicant
home instead of starting, and hopefully completing, a practical test. Any
reduction level of the qualification rejection rate can create more efficiency
in the practical test provision rate.
ONE OF THE MOST COMMONLY FORGOTTEN THINGS-THERE NEEDS
TO BE LOGGED GROUND INSTRUCTION.
PAPERWORK IS IMPORTANT AND NONE OF US ARE PERFECT
There is a bit of paperwork that goes along with signing a student off
for a practical test. Some tests have more requirements than others, but
any of them require some work on the part of the CFI to get the student's
endorsements, experience requirements, and logging of flight and ground
training correct.
DPES HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT APPLICANTS
WHOM THEY ARE UNABLE TO TEST BECAUSE THEY LACK
QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTATION.
Getting this paperwork right is important because the DPE can't just
let it go. They have to ensure all the paperwork is in order, and that the
applicant is " qualified " for the practical test, otherwise they can't proceed.
Sometimes what a DPE asks for may seem petty, but it is important. I have
seen people's certificates suspended or revoked at a later date when a DPE
missed requirements and it was caught at a later time. I have even seen
improperly qualified CFI applicants who were issued certificates end up in
ugly lawsuits later when a student or they themselves were involved in an
accident or incident. Making sure a certificate or rating is only issued to a
qualified applicant is critical.
But none of us is perfect. I get paperwork wrong sometimes too. We all do.
So, have a mechanism to make sure you get the paperwork correct and have
someone else check it before sending your students to a practical test.
THE CONCEPT OF A FOLDER AUDIT
Most major flight training providers, especially those that train students
in accordance with FAR Part 141 curriculums, do a " folder audit " before
they generate a graduation certificate. That folder audit reviews that the
applicant has met all training requirements of the training course outline as
approved by the FAA for a certificate or rating. Those requirements must be
complete to be eligible for the certificate or rating checkride.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 2
