ASA Releases Updated Oral Exam Guide for Flight Instructors

Ninth edition provides the knowledge and tools to be a successful CFI.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

ASA’s ‘Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide’ helps you prepare for the check ride and beyond. [Credit: iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Becoming a flight instructor requires more than rote memorization, emphasizing an instructional understanding of aeromedical, human factors, and security, alongside the ability to adapt teaching through realistic, scenario-based training.
The ninth edition of ASA's Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide is introduced as a key resource designed to help applicants prepare for the FAA CFI check ride, aligning with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
This updated guide features expanded scenario-based training examples, additional content on human and aeromedical factors, and aviation security, with questions linked to ACS codes to facilitate deeper learning beyond rote memorization.

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Rote memorization of knowledge and maneuvers won’t be enough to earn your flight instructor rating. Flight instructors need to have an instructional level of knowledge on aeromedical and human factors, aviation and airport security with the understanding that one size does not fit all.

CFIs have to be able to adapt and create realistic scenarios tailored to the environment and the individual learner. The latest Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide from Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) is geared toward helping prepare for this.

According to ASA, the expanded ninth edition aligns with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and covers fundamentals of instructing, technical subject areas, preflight preparation and procedures, airport operations, flight fundamentals and maneuvers, emergency operations, postflight procedures, and scenario-based training.

The scenario-based training examples also have been updated to reflect modern, real-world instructional environments. This essential resource prepares applicants for the FAA CFI Airplane check ride and serves as a valuable tool for flight instructors completing a refresher course (FIRC).

Ninth edition of the Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide [Credit: ASA]

The updated guide was written by FLYING contributor, CFI, and DPE Jason Blair. The 480-page book begins on the foundation put down by Michael Hayes, who for many years created the ASA oral exam guides that helped so many pilots gain the knowledge they needed to pass their check rides and flight reviews.

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“The questions in the book are designed to help pilots respond to the scenario-based questions that examiners will present during the practical test,” Blair said. “This allows them to take their studying beyond the rote level, which will be required to successfully complete their certificate.”

The latest edition of the Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide has been fully updated to reflect current flight instructor ACS and align with FAA guidance. Each question includes corresponding ACS codes to better connect study material with evaluation criteria. This enables the user to determine the soft spots in their knowledge and find appropriate references.

ASA noted the updated content includes additional questions on human factors, aeromedical factors, and aviation and airport security. The book also contains commonly asked questions and appropriate responses.

The guide is available in softcover (5.25 by 8.25 inches) and digital format in eBook PD (fixed-layout PDF) and eBook EB (reflowable EPUB). All formats are $19.95.

The books can be ordered from asa2fly.com, an online retailer, or picked up at a brick-and-mortar pilot shop or FBO.