Training the Trainers Remains Critical

Learn how to teach flying by learning how to learn.

Monday, January 06, 2025 at 08:58 AM ET

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It can be very frustrating when the instructor’s teaching style doesn’t mesh with the learner’s learning style. [Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

New flight instructors must understand diverse learning styles, develop their teaching approach, and utilize foundational resources like the FAA's *Aviation Instructor’s Handbook* which covers the Fundamentals of Instruction.
Effective instruction relies heavily on a structured syllabus and meticulously crafted lesson plans, moving beyond informal "folklore" methods to ensure comprehensive learning, learner engagement, and clear completion standards.
Lesson plans should be detailed outlines incorporating objectives, equipment, actions, errors, and references, and new instructors should gain practical experience through observation and student-teaching to refine both ground and flight instruction skills.

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By the time you get to high school, most people have a pretty good idea of how they learn best. Maybe it is watching a video or a hands-on demonstration. For others, it is reading a detailed description of a process. Some learners do best “gronking” (Seattle-tech speak for figuring something out without instructions) their way through a process without help, while others prefer step-by-step verbal instructions and immediate feedback.

It can be very frustrating when the instructor’s teaching style doesn’t mesh with the learner’s learning style. And here’s the kicker. When you are beginning your instructor career, you won’t know your teaching style until you practice teaching under the guidance of a more experienced CFI.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.