Flight Instructors Lesson Plan Handbook

[rltoma]

Hello everyone, I'm just starting to get my resources together for my CFI training, ASA CFI prepware, Aviation Instructors Handbook, etc. Another book I picked up is the "Flight Instructors Lesson Plan Handbook" by Edwin Quinlan and I was wondering what you guys think of it. Can I use this book instead of making up my own lesson plans? Also, if you have any suggestions to make the process of obtaining the CFI certificate easier, I'd appreciate the advice. Thanks

 

[Whirlwind]

Ahh, lesson plans, a CFI's favorite subject.

You can use whatever you want, but regardless of the source you must know the material.

Personally I feel that writing lesson plans from scratch does indeed force you to master the material, but it is a ton of work that is rather boring.

If you use pre-made lessons, or copy your CFI's book, then you will simply have to master them while teaching each lesson on the board. Sort of a pay me now or pay me later situation.

To each his own, but the way I did it was to put together the first few lesson plans with my CFIs help, then once I'd learned how to put one together, I copied the rest.

Fly Safe...

 

[rltoma]

To each his own, but the way I did it was to put together the first few lesson plans with my CFIs help, then once I'd learned how to put one together, I copied the rest.

Sounds like a good idea. I haven't actually started ground school yet, but in my usual fashion, i'm jumping in head first trying to formulate a plan, lol. Thanks for the advice

 

[Ralph]

great book, I showed up for my initial CFI with a stack of books. The checride was with the FSDO. That was one of them. When I taught a lesson I just went straight out of that book. The FSDO guy didn't seem to care so long as I had a lesson plan of some sort.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Also, if you have any suggestions to make the process of obtaining the CFI certificate easier, I'd appreciate the advice.

Since the lesson plan issue has been pretty much played out (what makes anyone think that someone learning how to be a CFI can create better lesson plans or syllabi than those who have been doing it for years), I'll take a shot at this one.

Bore people to death.

The best way to learn anything is to teach it. So the best way to learn how to teach is .... to teach.

The hardest part of teaching is explaining things in a way that the audience will understand it. Although that's true in the air also, it's especially true on the ground, whether you are trying to teach a pure ground subject or doing the pre-flight for a maneuver.

When I was working on my CFI, I kept a Cessna 172 cockpit poster on the wall and a bunch of unintelligible graphs and outlines on a whiteboard in my office. Woe to she who looked at the wind triangle on the board and asked what it was! Or who heard about some small airplane mishap in the area and asked how I thought it happened! There are still people who run the other way when they see me coming. If you et real close to them, they seem to be mumbling something about altimeters or CDIs.

But it's effective.

Another thing to do is to participate on online forums that focus on training, like studentpilot.com. Not to ask questions or listen to others answers, although that helps also, but to answer them. Don't know the answer? Look it up!! And match your answers with the other ones you see (even if you don't post yours).

It will not only make you a better instructor, but even if all you care about is building time, it will make that oral so much more pleasant since you'll have heard questions even the examiner hasn't thought of!

 

[rltoma]

Thanks midlifeflyer, Definately some good ideas! I take it you are of the opinion that the pre written lesson plans are ok, did you catch any attitude about them if you used them on your checkride?

 

[midlifeflyer]

Thanks midlifeflyer, Definately some good ideas! I take it you are of the opinion that the pre written lesson plans are ok, did you catch any attitude about them if you used them on your checkride?

I think they are fine. The key, as others mentioned, is that you know how to use them.

The lesson plan issue didn't specifically come up on my checkride (Mine isn't a good example. It wasn't typical). We did talk about how to use the Jepp syllabus that I had. What the examiner said about the syllabus fits the lesson plans also — he wanted to make sure that I understood that it was a guide, an outline of important things to cover, not a straight jacket that locked you into doing certain things in a certain way.

 

[rltoma]

Well that makes sence, your dealing with many different types of individuals so nothing can be that rigid, I guess the main thing is to know the objectives and strive to obtain them. thanks for the input

 

[Whirlwind]

Sounds like a good idea. I haven't actually started ground school yet, but in my usual fashion, i'm jumping in head first trying to formulate a plan, lol. Thanks for the advice

You're most welcome.

Another point to consider is that there is more to a CFI's personal manual than just lesson plans. My CFI's binder that I copied was two inches thick, only half of which was lesson plans. The rest was information about each of the training airplanes, Advisory Circulars, and other items that make for useful references and handouts to students.

As I go through it, it has given me a number of ideas of things to add to it. I do not think I'm going to get it all into a 2" binder however.

My CFI checkride is scheduled for Sept 12th, it is all coming along well, but as the date gets closer I find myself getting nervous all over again.

Fly Safe!

 

[rltoma]

Well again, thanks for the input. The more I learn about what is required of the CFI rating, the more it perplexes me how schools like ATP can get you through all 3 (CFI CFII MEI) in 14 days! My brain would be useless for another 14 days after that experience.
Good luck with your checkride and let us know how it goes.

 

[Whirlwind]

Well again, thanks for the input. The more I learn about what is required of the CFI rating, the more it perplexes me how schools like ATP can get you through all 3 (CFI CFII MEI) in 14 days! My brain would be useless for another 14 days after that experience.

I think they require the written tests to be done before you go, and I'm sure they expect you to work pretty hard while there.

Being a CFI is more than just another ticket. It is a serious responsibility, one that I didn't really understand when I started working on my private last year. Now that I'm getting close to it, I'm humbled by the authority and responsibilities that a CFI has.

If the FAA examiner passes me, he will be giving me the authority to release people into the skies without any further oversight whatsoever. That is a pretty big responsibility.

Good luck with your checkride and let us know how it goes.

Thanks! I'm sure I'll do fine, and pass or fail, I'll have plenty more checkrides to go.

Fly Safe!

 

[midlifeflyer]

Well that makes since, your dealing with many different types of individuals so nothing can be that rigid, I guess the main thing is to know the objectives and strive to obtain them. thanks for the input

I'll also echo Whirlwind's comment about the CFI manual being far more than a bunch of lesson plans.

Mine is in multiple binders, although I started taking interesting articles that I read and scanning them into pdf, creating an instructional library. It includes charts and graphics for ilustration, some of them as simple as screen captures from MSFS to show things like the indications of level flight, turns, climb, descents, and unusual attitudes for primary instruction in flight by instrument reference.

One organizational tool is to divide the manual by PTS area.

My students tend to be non-aviation career professionals with very busy schedules and I do a lot of explaining by email. So giving electronic handouts works well for me. I also collect some of my lengthier email "preflight briefings" (and posts to meassage boards).