I.E.

Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism

References: FAA-H-8083-9

Objectives The student should develop knowledge of the elements related to flight instructor
characteristics and responsibilities as necessary in the CFI PTS.

Elements 1. Aviation Instructor Responsibilities

2. Flight Instructor Responsibilities
3. Professionalism
4. Evaluation of Student Ability
5. Aviation Instructors and Exams
6. Professional Development

Schedule 1. Discuss Objectives

2. Review material
3. Development
4. Conclusion

Equipment 1. White board and markers

2. References

IP’s Actions 1. Discuss lesson objectives

2. Present Lecture
3. Ask and Answer Questions
4. Assign homework

SP’s Actions 1. Participate in discussion

2. Take notes
3. Ask and respond to questions

Completion The student understands the responsibilities associated with instructing as well as the
Standards characteristics related to being a professional.
I.E. Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism

Instructors Notes:

Introduction:
Attention
These are the characteristics that will make you a great flight instructor, and the responsibilities of being one.

Overview
Review Objectives and Elements/Key ideas

What
This discuses the scope of responsibilities for instructors and enumerates methods they can use to enhance
their professional image and conduct.

Why
It is important that aviation instructors not only know how to teach, but they also need to project a
knowledgeable and professional image.

How:
1. Aviation Instructor Responsibilities
A. Helping Students Learn
i. Learning should be:
a. Enjoyable
 Keeps motivation high
b. Interesting
 Keeps interest
ii. Standards and measuring against standards is necessary
a. Students can see growth
B. Providing Adequate Instruction
i. Carefully and correctly analyze each student’s personality, thinking, and ability
a. The same instruction cannot be equally effective for each student
ii. Incorrectly analyzing a student may result in the instruction not producing the desired outcome
iii. Students experiencing slow progress due to discouragement/lack of confidence should be assigned
sub-goals which are easier to attain than the normal learning goals
a. Complex lessons can be broken down into elements, and each element can be practiced,
culminating with the entire maneuver
b. As confidence and ability are gained, difficulty should be increased until progress is normal
iv. Fast learners may assume correcting errors is unimportant since they make few mistakes
a. This overconfidence may soon result in faulty performance
b. For such students, constantly raise the standard of performance for each lesson
v. Individuals learn when they are aware of their errors
a. But, deficiencies should not be invented
C. Standards of Performance
i. Instructors fail to provide competent instruction when they permit their students to get by with
substandard performance, or without learning thoroughly some necessary knowledge
ii. Accepting lower standards to please a student does not result in a genuine improvement in the
student-instructor relationship
a. An earnest student does not resent reasonable standards that are fairly/consistently applied

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I.E. Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism

D. Emphasizing the Positive

i. The way instructors conduct themselves, the attitudes displayed, and the manner instruction is
develop all contribute to the formation of either positive or negative impressions by their students
ii. The success of an instructor depends, in large measure, on the ability to present instruction so that
students develop a positive image of aviation
iii. Every reasonable effort should be made so instruction is given under the most favorable conditions
iv. Emphasize the positive because positive instruction results in positive learning
E. Minimizing Student Frustration
i. Motivate Students
a. More can be gained from wanting to learn than being forced to learn
 When students see the benefits or purpose of a lesson their enjoyment/efforts will increase
ii. Keep Students Informed
a. Students feel insecure when they don’t know what is expected/what will happen to them
 Telling students what is expected of them and what they can expect in return
b. Keep students informed by:
 Giving them an overview of the course, keeping them posted on progress and giving
adequate notice of exams, assignments, or other requirements
 Talk about money when necessary
iii. Approach Students as Individuals
a. Each individual within a group has a unique personality that should be constantly considered
iv. Give Credit When Due
a. Praise/credit from the instructor usually is ample reward and provides an incentive to do better
 Praise pays dividends, but when given too freely it becomes valueless
v. Criticize Constructively
a. It is important to identify mistakes and failures
b. If the student is briefed on the errors AND is told how to correct them, progress can be made
vi. Be Consistent
a. Students have a keen interest in knowing what is required to please the instructor
 The instructor’s philosophy and actions must be consistent to avoid student confusion
vii. *Be Well Prepared (Over prepare)
a. Students are spending a lot of money and deserve a well prepared instructor
2. Flight Instructor Responsibilities
A. Physiological Obstacles for Flight Students
i. Do not ignore negative factors
a. Fear of small aircraft
b. Strange noises
c. G-forces/Motion sickness
B. Ensuring Student Ability
i. Flight instructors have the responsibility to provide guidance and restraint with respect to solo ops
a. This is by far the most important responsibility since the instructor is the only person in a
position to make the determination that a student is ready for solo ops
ii. Before endorsing solo flight, the student should display consistent ability to perform the maneuvers
a. The student should also be capable of handling ordinary problems that might occur

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I.E. Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism

iii. Provide adequate flight and ground instruction for “special emphasis areas”
iv. Be current on the latest procedures regarding training, certification, and safety
v. Maintain a current library of information
3. Professionalism
A. Personal Characteristics
i. Sincerity
a. Be straight forward and honest
b. Do not attempt to hide some inadequacy behind a smokescreen or unrelated instruction
 Teaching is based upon acceptance of the instructor as qualified, and an expert pilot
ii. Acceptance of the Student
a. The instructor must accept all students as they are, including all faults and problems
b. Under no circumstance should the instructor do something which implies degrading the student
c. Acceptance, rather than ridicule, and support, rather than reproof, will encourage learning
iii. Personal Appearance and Habits
a. Instructors are expected to be neat, clean, and appropriately dressed
 Attire worn should be to a professional status
b. Personal habits have a significant effect on the professional image
 Exercising common courtesy is perhaps the most important of these
a A rude, thoughtless, inattentive instructor cannot hold anyone’s respect
 Personal cleanliness is important as well (it can be distracting)
iv. Demeanor
a. Attitude and behavior can contribute much to a professional image
 Requires development of a calm, thoughtful, and disciplined, but not somber, demeanor
b. Instruction is best done with a calm, pleasant, thoughtful approach putting the student at ease
c. The instructor must constantly portray competence in the subject matter and genuine interest
in the student’s well being
v. Proper Language
a. The professional instructor speaks normally, without inhibitions, and speaks positively and
descriptively, without profanity
4. Evaluation of Student Ability
A. Demonstrated Ability
i. The evaluation considers the student’s mastery of the elements involved in the maneuver or
procedure, rather than merely the overall performance
ii. Evaluation of ability during flight must be based on established standards of performance
a. These standards should be modified to apply to the student’s experience
B. Keeping the Student Informed
i. Keep the student up to date with progress
a. Should be written
ii. Kindly point out deficiencies and how to correct them
C. It is important the student is kept informed of progress
i. When explaining errors, point out elements where deficiencies are believed to have originated
a. If possible, suggest appropriate corrective measures
D. Correction of Student Errors
i. Often better to let students make a mistake and get out of it on their own (safety permitting)
ii. If the procedure is performed correctly but not fully understood require it to be varied
a. Or, combine it with other operations, or apply the same elements to another maneuver

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I.E. Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism

5. Aviation Instructors and Exams

A. Knowledge Test
i. Students will need to be endorsed for some knowledge tests
ii. AC 61-65 for endorsements
iii. Instructor is held accountable for deficient instruction
a. Must give additional instruction and sign test for re-endorsement for written retake
B. Practical Test
i. Signing a recommendation imposes a serious responsibility on the instructor
a. Students should show a thorough demonstration of the knowledge and skill level necessary
 This demonstration should be in NO INSTANCE less than the complete procedure in the PTS
ii. If a student is unprepared, the instructor is logically held accountable for deficient performance
iii. Examiners rely on recommendations as evidence of qualification for certification
iv. Be very protective of your record – Never sign someone off who is not ready
a. This is not good for the instructor’s record or for the student
C. Flight Instructor Endorsements (AC 61-65)
i. Failure to ensure that a student pilot meets the requirements of regulations prior to endorsing solo
flight is a serious deficiency in performance - the instructor is held accountable
a. This is also a breach of faith with the student
ii. Other endorsements are also necessary
a. Flight reviews, IPCs, additional ratings, completion of prerequisites for a practical test
b. A record must be maintained of all endorsements
D. Additional Training Endorsements (AC 61-98)
i. Flight Reviews
a. This is not a test/check ride, but an instructional service designed to assess knowledge and skill
b. Must be based on specific objectives and standards
 Should include a thorough checkout appropriate to certificate/ratings held
 Before beginning agree fully on the objectives and standards
 As training progresses keep the pilot informed of progress toward achieving the goals
ii. Instrument Proficiency Checks
a. Use the Instrument PTS as the primary reference for the associated maneuvers and tolerances
iii. Aircraft Checkouts/Transitions (High performance, tailwheels, high altitude training)
a. By performing these, you are accepting a major responsibility for the safety of future passengers
b. All checkouts should be conducted to the performance standards shown in the PTS
c. Do not attempt to checkout a pilot in an airplane you are not current in
d. Record in the pilot’s logbook the exact extent of any checkout conducted
e. If insufficient, thoroughly debrief the pilot and schedule further instruction
6. Professional Development
A. Successful, professional aviation instructors do not become complacent or satisfied with their own
qualifications and abilities, and are constantly alert for ways to improve their qualifications,
effectiveness, and the services they provide to students
B. The instructor needs a steady supply of fresh material to make instruction interesting and up to date
i. Instructors should keep themselves well informed by maintaining familiarity with what is being
written in current aviation publications
C. Continuing Education
i. Continually update knowledge and skill
ii. Government

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I.E. Flight Instructor Responsibilities and Professionalism

a. FAA seminars, articles, regulations, ACs, etc

b. Pilot Proficiency Awards Program
c. Gold Seal Flight Certificate
iii. Educational/Training Institutions
a. Attend classes at community colleges, technical schools, etc
iv. Commercial Organizations
a. Training material
b. Training courses
v. Industry Organizations
a. Articles, publications, training programs
D. Sources of Material
i. Maintain access to current flight publications
a. Regulations, AIM, PTS, ACs, etc
ii. Commercial handbooks, periodicals, technical journals

Conclusion
Brief review of the main points

PTS Requirements:
To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of instructor responsibilities and
professionalism by describing:
1. Aviation instructor responsibilities:
a. Helping students learn.
b. Providing adequate instruction.
c. Standards of performance.
d. Minimizing student frustrations.
2. Flight instructor responsibilities:
a. Physiological obstacles for flight students.
b. Ensuring student ability.
c. Professionalism.
d. Evaluation of student ability.
e. Aviation instructors and exams.
f. Professional development