CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 3 - 34

CHIEF'S CORNER
I've always used some form of syllabi with my learners-from the Jeppesen
Guided Flight Discovery kits when I worked at the FBO to ASA and Sporty's
syllabi that I've used as an independent CFI. All my instructing is under FAR
Part 61 rules and I've never been required to follow a syllabus like my FAR Part
141 fellow CFIs. Most of what I've used over the years had a distinct FAR Part
141 tone to them and any extra FAR Part 61 hourly requirements were a footnote.
Now, I'm using the AOPA Flight Training Advantage (AFTA) app with
my current learner and we're both enjoying the process. From the very start
he's had a pre-lesson reading list for each lesson and on the app I can see the
progress he's made before we meet. I can target some questions and look for
any gaps in understanding and he can ask me questions based on his reading.
There is also a list of the tasks we will be training on in each lesson and
detailed information for both of us to review to fully grasp any relevant airman
certification standards, common errors, and specific reference materials. On
my CFI app, I can critique and grade each task by several criteria and add or
delete tasks for the specific lesson. One of the nice features of AFTA is that
based on how I've graded previous tasks it will bring in new tasks or repeat
previous tasks for a lesson. It will also move on to new tasks and come back to a
task in a later lesson if we've spent a lot of time on it recently.
AS WE SAT DOWN TO DISCUSS THE FIRST LESSON AND HOW THIS WHOLE
PROCESS WILL UNFOLD, I COULD SEE THAT THERE WERE SOME DETAILS TO
FLESH OUT AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE HAS A GOOD GRASP OF THAT
PATHWAY TO SUCCESS.
It's important to keep learners focused on making progress and not getting
bogged down in endless repetitions. I can order how the tasks appear in the
lesson and the learner sees that on their portal too. My app works on my iPad,
the learner's portal is web-based, and if you're a flight school there's a portal
for you to manage all your instructors and students as well as link to certain
scheduling apps. The best part of this is that it is free to AOPA members as part
of their membership.
I'M USING THE AOPA FLIGHT TRAINING ADVANTAGE (AFTA) APP WITH MY
CURRENT LEARNER AND WE'RE BOTH ENJOYING THE PROCESS. FROM THE
VERY START HE'S HAD A PRE-LESSON READING LIST FOR EACH LESSON AND
ON THE APP I CAN SEE THE PROGRESS HE'S MADE BEFORE WE MEET.
So, now my learner has a game plan, some good coaching, and several clearly
defined milestones and markers to meet, unlike my " Fakin' It 'til I Make
It " team. I'm enjoying the game plan, as is he, and am looking forward to his
accomplishments along the way. I predict that my private pilot learner will
have a much more successful flight training experience than my fantasy
football team's season.
In any event-Go Bills, it's our year!
Fly Safe!
John Collins is the AOPA Air Safety Institute's chief flight instructor and
manager of aviation safety programs. Before joining ASI, John was AOPA's
manager of aviation policy. He earned his flight instructor certificate in
1996 and enjoys seeing students light up when they put it all together and
nail a maneuver.
Email: john.collins@aopa.org
https://aopa.org/training-and-safety/flight-schools/aopa-flight-training-advantage
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 3
