FAA MEI exam-day guide
FAA MEI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a current, unexpired photo ID with your signature. Confirm with the provider which specific documents (driver license, passport, or other acceptable ID) satisfy the testing location's requirement before you travel.
Pilot certificates and medical certificate
Carry your current pilot certificate(s) and valid medical certificate. The examiner will verify eligibility, including that you hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and meet the aeronautical experience required for the flight instructor certificate with airplane single-engine (or multi-engine) class privileges. Confirm with the provider or your designated pilot examiner which documents they want to see.
Logbook and records of ground and flight training
Bring your logbook (paper or electronic) plus any training records, endorsements, and knowledge-test results. Your logbook should clearly show the instructional experience, total time, and endorsements the practical test standards require. Review it for legibility and complete signatures before the test.
Knowledge test report
Bring the airman knowledge test report for the flight instructor (and any required additional area) knowledge test. Confirm the passing score is still valid and that any deficient areas noted on the report have been addressed, since the examiner may ask about them.
Completed IACRA application
Submit the application through IACRA in advance and bring the FAA tracking number (FTN). The examiner will review the application before the test. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is expected.
Current charts and publications
Bring current sectional charts, terminal area charts as needed, Chart Supplement, and applicable approach plates for the area where you will fly. Confirm with the provider which charts and publications the examiner expects for the practical test.
Aircraft documents and equipment
Ensure the aircraft you will use has current airworthiness certificate, registration, operating limitations, weight and balance data, and required equipment. Bring a current weight and balance computation, and confirm with the provider or examiner that the aircraft meets the practical test requirements (including instrument equipment for the instrument instructor portion).
Lesson plans and instructional materials
Prepare lesson plans and reference materials for the ground and flight instructional tasks you may be asked to teach. Organize them so you can locate a specific task quickly; the examiner may ask you to teach a task or explain how you would plan a lesson.
Headset, flashlight, and personal flight gear
Bring a working aviation headset, spare batteries, flashlight, plotter, E6B (or approved electronic flight computer), and any personal gear. Confirm with the provider whether the aircraft supplies headsets or whether you must bring your own.
Weather and NOTAM briefing
Obtain a standard weather briefing and review NOTAMs for the planned training area and airports before the test. Be ready to discuss weather decision-making and how you would adjust a lesson for conditions.
Fee payment and scheduling confirmation
Confirm the examiner's fee, payment method, and appointment time with the provider in advance, and bring the confirmation. Examiner fees vary; do not assume a specific amount.
Rest and readiness plan
Plan adequate sleep, meals, and hydration for a long practical test. The flight instructor practical test typically includes an oral portion and a flight portion and can take most of a day; confirm with the provider the expected duration and any scheduling details.
Plan the day
Re-read the applicable practical test standards and the task lists for the flight instructor certificate, and identify the tasks you are least confident teaching. Prepare concise lesson plans for those tasks. Verify your logbook totals and endorsements against the eligibility requirements, and resolve any discrepancies with your instructor.
Confirm the appointment, location, aircraft, and examiner fee with the provider. Ask what documents and materials the examiner expects and whether any portion of the application must be submitted in advance. Confirm the aircraft is scheduled and available for the full expected duration.
Complete or update your IACRA application and record the FTN. Check that your medical certificate and pilot certificates are current and that your knowledge test report is available. Make copies or photos of key documents as a backup.
Obtain a weather briefing for the planned area and review NOTAMs. Check the aircraft's airworthiness status and equipment, and prepare a weight and balance computation. Pack your headset, charts, plotter, flight computer, lesson plans, and documents. Confirm the meeting time and location once more.
Review your lesson plans for the tasks most likely to be selected, and rehearse short explanations aloud. Prepare a light, early meal and plan for adequate sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming that leaves you fatigued for the oral portion.
Eat a normal meal and arrive early enough to organize documents and materials without rushing. Obtain a fresh weather briefing and NOTAM check. Confirm the aircraft is available and fueled as planned, and be ready to discuss weather and go/no-go decision-making.
Present documents when asked, answer questions directly, and use your lesson plans and references when teaching a task. If you do not know an answer, say so and describe how you would find it. The examiner is evaluating instructional knowledge and judgment, not just recall.
Brief each maneuver and instructional scenario as you would for a student, including setup, common errors, and recovery. Fly to the standards expected of an instructor and maintain situational awareness and safety. Ask for clarification if a task is ambiguous rather than guessing.
Review the results with the examiner, note any areas of weakness for your own development, and confirm what documents you receive. If you did not pass a task, ask the examiner to explain the retest requirements and confirm with the provider how to schedule a retest.
Rules to check
Bring acceptable, unexpired government-issued photo identification; confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted at the testing location before you travel.
Arrive on time and plan for the full duration of the practical test. If you will be late, contact the examiner or provider as soon as possible; late arrival may affect scheduling, so confirm the provider's policy in advance.
Follow the examiner's directions during the oral and flight portions, and do not use unauthorized reference materials during the test. Confirm with the provider what materials are permitted.
Breaks are generally arranged at the examiner's discretion during a long practical test; ask the examiner about breaks at the start and confirm the provider's policy if you have specific needs.
The practical test is scored on a pass/fail basis for each required task, with the examiner evaluating performance against the applicable standards. Ask the examiner to explain any unsatisfactory task and the retest requirements.
Maintain safety as the priority during the flight portion; the examiner may discontinue the test for safety or other reasons. Follow the examiner's instructions and the aircraft's operating limitations at all times.
Do not misrepresent your experience, endorsements, or documents. Present accurate records and be prepared to explain any entries the examiner questions.
Confirm all fees, cancellation policies, and scheduling details with the provider in advance; do not assume a specific fee or policy.