AGI & IGI

CC268

Final Approach
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CC268
I've completed my FOI, CFI, CFII written exams (did well on them - 98%, 100%, 98%). I originally wasn't planning on getting my AGI & IGI, but I've decided I'd like to do them.

I probably should have done the AGI with the CFI written and the IGI with the CFII.

How different are the AGI/IGI from the CFI/CFII? Should I just go take them?
 
Not terribly different. Expect a few added questions regarding helichoppers. But the question Banks are 95% the same.
 
Not terribly different. Expect a few added questions regarding helichoppers. But the question Banks are 95% the same.

Hmm...I want to just schedule them and go get them done, but I want to make sure I do well too....
 
If you prepped for the others with SheppardAir, I think they offer a solid discount for these two as an add on.
 
Hmm...I want to just schedule them and go get them done, but I want to make sure I do well too....

I think I got two helicopter questions on mine. With your scores, just take them. Your score for the ground instructor tests don't matter anyway so long as you pass. You just take it to the fsdo with an iacra and they issue your certificate.
 
I think I got two helicopter questions on mine. With your scores, just take them. Your score for the ground instructor tests don't matter anyway so long as you pass. You just take it to the fsdo with an iacra and they issue your certificate.

Thanks. Yea everyone thus far has told me to just go take them. I suppose I could go take the AGI and IGI tomorrow and just get them done.
 
You want to do well on the CFI and CFII written exams so the oral exam goes better. For the AGI and IGI there is no oral so there's really no practical difference between a 70% and a 100%. Either way you get a ground instructor certificate with no questions asked.
 
You want to do well on the CFI and CFII written exams so the oral exam goes better. For the AGI and IGI there is no oral so there's really no practical difference between a 70% and a 100%. Either way you get a ground instructor certificate with no questions asked.

I've actually heard of some folks getting some basic oral questions when they go to the FSDO...but they were simple stuff like 61.215 and 61.217.
 
I think I might schedule the AGI and IGI tomorrow and just go get this done.
 
Honestly, as long as you pass with a 70 nobody cares. The only advantage to having these certificates is you are nolonger required to maintain a record of the written test endorsements in a Part 61 setting.
 
Ha...not gonna go down that road. Your right...they aren't needed.
It is mostly useless though if you’re getting you CFI/I. I think having a ground instructor certificate is required if you’re going for your gold seal if that even interests you.
 
It is mostly useless though if you’re getting you CFI/I. I think having a ground instructor certificate is required if you’re going for your gold seal if that even interests you.

I just feel like the more you can throw on a resume the better. Especially when hiring gets tough. Every checkbox counts I guess.
 
Not to mention I think some Part 141 schools require it if you want to CFI
 
Paging @mondtster what do you think?

Man, apparently I’m somebody! Ha. :)

It has been a few years for me but I don’t recall the tests being terribly different than the flight instructor tests. If you actually understood the material instead of just memorizing it when you took them I’m sure you’ll do fine with minimal study time for these. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable taking them with zero preparation but with your scores I don’t think you need to worry too much about it either.

Like Ed pointed out, there isn’t much value to the ground instructor certificate when you hold a flight instructor certificate. But, if becoming a gold seal instructor is important to you it is necessary. The other advantage is that you can give ground instruction that is loggable while you’re working on your CFI. I did that with a coworker and it turned out to be helpful for both of us.
 
I’m gonna schedule them for tomorrow and study up on some heli stuff like fuel mins, ifr alt mins, is etc.

The folks over on reddit who have taken them recently say it’s basically the same test. So I’m gonna go take em.
 
I’m gonna schedule them for tomorrow and study up on some heli stuff like fuel mins, ifr alt mins, is etc.

The folks over on reddit who have taken them recently say it’s basically the same test. So I’m gonna go take em.

Honestly, I’d just take a couple practice tests to get in the right mindset and call it good.
 
I’ll let you guys know the results.
 
Just think fellas, if I pass these guys I get to make a trip to the Scottsdale FSDO! Woo hoo!
 
If you prepped for the others with SheppardAir, I think they offer a solid discount for these two as an add on.
With the exception of potentially a handful of helicopter questions, there's no difference in the test banks. If he scored ok in the Flight instructor knowledge tests, he'll do fine on the ground instructor ones, and should just go take the test.

Understand that practically speaking, once you're a CFI, the ground instructor equivalent certificate is virtually useless*.
 
With the exception of potentially a handful of helicopter questions, there's no difference in the test banks. If he scored ok in the Flight instructor knowledge tests, he'll do fine on the ground instructor ones, and should just go take the test.

Understand that practically speaking, once you're a CFI, the ground instructor equivalent certificate is virtually useless*.

I just wanted to help the FAA by giving them another $300. I’m taking both AGI and IGI tomorrow.
 
You can later get the Gold Seal on your Cfi certificate, if you are good and active enough. I got both, mainly because I was already taking the other tests and didn’t want FOI to ever expire if life got in the way.
 
Contrarian view... you don't NEED the AGI or IGI when you're a CFI. BUT, if you have it you can teach ground school while working on your CFI, so theoretically they can pay for themselves and give you classroom teaching time that will look good on the old resume thing.

Certainly can't hurt.
 
You can Ground instruct another person to be a Cfi, before you have your Cfi. :) or during your 24 month wait time.
 
Just think fellas, if I pass these guys I get to make a trip to the Scottsdale FSDO! Woo hoo!

Actually you should call and see if they will handle the AGI/IGI by emailing copies of your drivers license and test reports via email and an IACRA application.
 
Actually you should call and see if they will handle the AGI/IGI by emailing copies of your drivers license and test reports via email and an IACRA application.
Or a webex and turn the cameras on.
 
Just think fellas, if I pass these guys I get to make a trip to the Scottsdale FSDO! Woo hoo!

I tried this recently also. They have you make an appointment to come by after you have filled out the IACRA app. I had such an appointment for Jan 3.

However, the Scottsdale FSDO is closed due to the shutdown. Apparently you can have a DPE who has GIE (ground instructor examiner privileges) issue it. I have not found one yet in the Phoenix metro.
 
Apparently you can have a DPE who has GIE (ground instructor examiner privileges) issue it. I have not found one yet in the Phoenix metro.

You would think they would give all DPE's GIE since it's strictly a paperwork process. Of course it's the government we're talking about, it's not supposed to make sense.
 
You would think they would give all DPE's GIE since it's strictly a paperwork process. Of course it's the government we're talking about, it's not supposed to make sense.

DPE's have to ask for this. Who would?
 
I took the FOI and AGI as a warmup for the CFI-A. After getting my butt kicked on the IA exam, I wanted to take a freebie to keep my motivation going. There was only about two months between taking the AGI written and my CFI-A checkride, so I never used the AGI. It was a good warmup, though...
 
I've completed my FOI, CFI, CFII written exams (did well on them - 98%, 100%, 98%). I originally wasn't planning on getting my AGI & IGI, but I've decided I'd like to do them.

I probably should have done the AGI with the CFI written and the IGI with the CFII.

How different are the AGI/IGI from the CFI/CFII? Should I just go take them?

Ugh, how HOW did you score that high. I can't make it through 10 mins of FOI studying before falling asleep...
 
Ugh, how HOW did you score that high. I can't make it through 10 mins of FOI studying before falling asleep...

I suppose I’m a bit of an odd ball but I’ve avtually enjoyed most of the AIH. I actually thought the FOI was one of the easier writtens.

But yea I feel ya...
 
I tried this recently also. They have you make an appointment to come by after you have filled out the IACRA app. I had such an appointment for Jan 3.

However, the Scottsdale FSDO is closed due to the shutdown. Apparently you can have a DPE who has GIE (ground instructor examiner privileges) issue it. I have not found one yet in the Phoenix metro.

Well shucks. Guess I’ll just wait till they reopen. Yea I will do IACRA.
 
Okay I took the AGI and got a 99%. Test bank I got was identical to the CFI (FIA) exam. Took the IGI and got a 94%. I only recognized about half the questions from the CFII (FII) Exam.
 
Anddddd the FSDO is closed because of the shutdown. What a shame. A local school said they would definitely use me for ground instruction too. Great way to practice for my CFI. Looks like that won't be happenin'.
 
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