Book Category: Fundamentals of Instructing

When to Teach Risk Management Risk management should be a key aspect of all flight training, including flight reviews and instrument proficiency checks. It should be incorporated into briefings and debriefings, with experienced learners encouraged to lead discussions. Related: Techniques of Flight Instruction: Flight Lesson Briefings Use of Accident Analysis Reference: 49 CFR Part 831 […]

What is Communication? Communication is the continuous, two-way exchange of information, whether verbal or nonverbal. Its effectiveness is measured by the similarity between the idea transmitted and the idea received. Basic Elements of Communication The communication process is composed of three interrelated elements: Note: The channel is the method of communication. Encoding and Decoding Converting […]

Course of Training Reference: AC 141-1 A training course is a complete series of studies aimed at achieving particular objectives, such as pilot certification or an academic degree. The collective courses offered by an educational institution form the curriculum. Training Course Outline A training course outline (TCO) defines the content of a specific course within […]

System Safety in Flight Training Flight instructors play a pivotal role in aviation safety. But what does “safety” mean? In one definition, safety is the absence of conditions that could lead to death, injury, illness, damage to or loss of equipment or property, or environmental harm. Flight instructors can enhance aviation safety by adopting a […]

Aviation Instructor Responsibilities Note: These responsibilities apply to all types of aviation instructors. Helping Learners Learn Providing Adequate Instruction Demanding Standards of Performance Emphasizing the Positive Positive instruction results in positive learning. Minimizing Learner Frustrations Ensuring Aviation Safety Flight Instructor Responsibilities References: 14 CFR 61.35, 14 CFR 61.39, 14 CFR 61.49, 14 CFR 61.87, 14 […]

What is an Assessment? Assessing means evaluating the quality or ability of someone or something. Instructors continuously assess a learner’s performance to provide guidance, suggestions for improvement, and positive reinforcement. Purpose of an Assessment A proper assessment: The Testing Effect An assessment enhances learning by a phenomenon known as the testing effect or retrieval practice. […]

What is Teaching? Teaching involves instructing or training. A skillful teacher guides learners through the learning process, focusing on each incremental step toward the learning objectives. Telling Versus Teaching Note: This section is adapted from the work of aviation instructor Mike Thompson, as presented in his book “Telling is Not Teaching”. TellingTeachingInvolves the imparting of […]

Definitions of Learning Learning can be defined in many ways: All definitions share a common idea: learning is an active process and comes through experience. Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin Methods of Learning Implicit Versus Explicit Learning Example: Implicit learning occurs when a […]

Definitions of Human Behavior Human behavior can be defined in many ways: Instructors study human behavior to understand how individuals act, react, and interact within their environment. This knowledge reveals learner motivation and allows instructors to tailor instruction to optimize learning. The Instructor-Learner Relationship The professional relationship between the instructor and the learner should be […]