The Role of the Instructor
The flight instructor is the cornerstone of aviation safety. The FAA has adopted
an operational training concept that places the full responsibility for student
training on the authorized flight instructor. In this role, the instructor assumes
the total responsibility for train-ing the student pilot in all the knowledge
areas and skills necessary to operate safely and competently as a certificated
pilot in the National Airspace System. This training will include airmanship
skills, pilot judgment and decision making, and accepted good operating practices.
An FAA certificated flight instructor has to meet broad flying experience requirements,
pass rigid knowledge and practical tests, and demonstrate the ability to apply
recommended teaching techniques before being certificated. In addition, the
flight instructor’s certificate must be renewed every 24 months by showing
continued success in training pilots, or by satisfactorily completing a flight
instruc-tor’s refresher course or a practical test designed to upgrade
aeronautical knowledge, pilot proficiency, and teaching techniques. A pilot
training program is dependent on the quality of the ground and flight instruction
the student pilot receives. A good flight instructor will have a thorough understanding
of the learning process, knowledge of the fundamentals of teaching, and the
ability to com-municate effectively with the student pilot. A good flight instructor
will use a syllabus and insist on correct techniques and procedures from the
beginning of training so that the student will develop proper habit patterns.
The syllabus should embody the “building block” method of instruction,
in which the student progresses from the known to the unknown. The course of
instruction should be laid out so that each new maneuver embodies the principles
involved in the performance of those previously undertaken. Consequently, through
each new subject introduced, the student not only learns a new principle or
technique, but broadens his/her application of those previously learned and
has his/her deficiencies in the previous maneuvers emphasized and made obvious.
The flying habits of the flight instructor, both during flight instruction and
as observed by students when conducting other pilot operations, have a vital
effect on safety. Students consider their flight instructor to be a paragon
of flying proficiency whose flying habits they, consciously or unconsciously,
attempt to imitate.
For this reason, a good flight instructor will meticulously observe the safety
practices taught the students. Additionally, a good flight instructor will carefully
observe all regulations and recognized safety practices during all flight operations.
Generally, the student pilot who enrolls in a pilot training program is prepared
to commit considerable time, effort, and expense in pursuit of a pilot certificate.
The student may tend to judge the effectiveness of the flight instructor, and
the overall success of the pilot training program, solely in terms of being
able to pass the requisite FAA practical test. A good flight instructor, however,
will be able to communicate to the student that evaluation through practical
tests is a mere sampling of pilot ability that is compressed into a short period
of time. The flight instructor’s role, however, is to train the “total”
pilot.
What Flight Training Requires
A course of instruction should include the ground and flight training necessary
to acquire the knowledge and skills required to safely and efficiently function
as a certificated pilot. Whether you attend a part 141 or part 61 school or
obtain the services of an individual flight instructor, the specific knowledge
and skill areas for each category and class of aircraft are outlined in Title
14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).
Refer to 14 CFR part 61, subpart J for the requirements of a sport pilot certificate.
Refer to 14 CFR part 61, subpart D for the requirements of a recreational pilot
certificate. Refer to 14 CFR part 61, subpart E for the requirements of a private
pilot certificate.
Instructor and Student Relationship
The FAA has adopted an operational training concept that places the full responsibility
for student training on the flight instructor. In this role, the flight instructor
assumes total responsibility for training you to meet the standards required
for certification within an ever-changing operating environment. Like anything
else in life, the more you educated yourself and are aware of what is expected
of you and others, the more control you have of your goal’s outcome. Research
the avenues open to you. Get impartial opinions of the flight school and/or
instructor you intend to employ.
The flight instructor will provide you guidance, and arrange for your academic
and flight training lessons. These lessons are presented in a logical manner
to achieve desired goals. After each flight, the flight instructor will review
the day’s lesson. This will be the time to clear up any questions. It is
important that misconceptions be clarified while the subject is still fresh
in mind. |
