CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 1 - 26

CFI'S POINT OF VIEW
AS MUCH AS FLIGHT TRAINING CAN BE REWARDING, IT CAN ALSO BE
CONFUSING, STRESSFUL, EXPENSIVE, AND FRUSTRATING. To help
students succeed, CFIs can make the process far less challenging if they
work together with their students in a process that most closely reflects
that of a mentor and mentee. The benefits of nurturing such a relationship
can be critical to a student's success and add great value to an instructor's
continued development and advancement as a CFI. It's a two-way street. By
making the most of each lesson, students and CFIs progress more efficiently
toward their ultimate goals.
One method of establishing this relationship in a meaningful way is to
religiously commit to holding preflight briefings and postflight debriefings.
The productivity of each flight lesson is virtually guaranteed to improve,
while the negative aspects of flight training can be mitigated significantly.
The preflight briefing is an essential element that provides clarity to the
student about each task to be covered in the upcoming lesson. Tailored
specifically to the experience level of the individual student, a series of
CFIS CAN MAKE THE PROCESS FAR LESS CHALLENGING IF THEY WORK
TOGETHER WITH THEIR STUDENTS IN A PROCESS THAT MOST CLOSELY
REFLECTS THAT OF A MENTOR AND MENTEE.
expectations can be laid out by the CFI and openly discussed, with the
student asking questions about any aspects of the upcoming lesson they are
unclear about. The preflight briefing is best accomplished in a private, quiet
setting where the student can think and speak freely without distractions
or external pressures. A common flaw in the preflight briefing occurs when
a CFI recommends it be done in the aircraft with the engine running. This
may have a short-term benefit to the CFI's paycheck, but it introduces tasks
and distractions that prevent the student from getting the full benefit of the
briefing and its various components. The productivity of the flight lesson
will suffer as a result.
The postflight briefing is similarly best conducted in a private, quiet setting.
An office in the flight school or FBO is a good choice, but so is the cockpit
of the aircraft after the engine is shut down and the aircraft has been
secured. This is the time to review the lesson, gently critique the student's
shortcomings, answer the student's questions, congratulate them on their
successes, and lay out the elements of their next lesson.
If CFIs and students devote time to regular, productive, well executed
preflight briefings and postflight debriefings, the benefits will quickly
become apparent. Students will progress more quickly and with less
frustration. CFIs will have greater insight into their students' needs and
concerns. Ultimately, these two simple additions to each flight lesson can
lead to a more satisfied student who is likely to recommend the CFI and
flight school to others.
It's practically the definition of a win/win situation.
Jamie Beckett is the AOPA Foundation Ambassador in Florida, and a
dedicated aviation advocate.
Email: Jamie.Beckett@AOPA.org
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 1
