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Flight InstructionMinimize
We use a structured syllabus so that no time is wasted and every lesson has a specific outcome.  Both you and the instructor will work together to build your knowledge and experience in the aircraft.

A fundamental precept of our training program is Scenario Based Training (SBT).  Commercial training is designed to simulate real-world mission characteristics.  For example, training flights are treated as commercial operational missions with the same performance expectations.  Cross country flights also have simulated mission objectives, such as pre-determined arrival at destination and other factors common in commercial aviation.  Safety is always our primary responsibility, but as students knowledge and experience grow, we make every flight more challenging and in-turn, realistic.

All primary flight instruction is done in the Robinson R-22 or Cessna 172.   COS Aviation chose the R-22 and the Cessna 172 for the simple reason that we feel these aircraft are a safe and reliable training platform.  Also, the R-22 will prepare our students for their next role upon graduation as professional flight instructors.  There are many varied opinions about the value of this training platform.  The bottom line is, if you want to be a professional flight instructor, you must be able to instruct. 

Instrument training is conducted in the Robinson R-44 or the Cessna 172 .   The R-44 is a stable and solid performing instrument platform.  Again, many flight schools are going to the Robinson R-44 for instrument training because Robinson is no longer manufacturing an instrument R-22.  Increasingly, R-44 time is extremely valuable for prospective pilots and it is another way to diffeentiate yourself from competing pilots.

 

 

   
Excerpt from Flight Training Manual  
 
FLIGHT TRAINING RESOURCES
 

 

 

 

Follow the lesson syllabus and introduce/review all maneuvers as described in each lesson.
 
Assure that student can perform to the required completion standards before advancing to the next lesson. The same lesson may be repeated multiple times until the student can complete the next lesson.
 
Student’s role:
 
Use the flight syllabus as a study tool to help prepare for each lesson and understand the completion standards of each lesson.
 
Flight Maneuvers Guide
 
The flight maneuvers guide is a written binder with detailed explanation of how to perform each maneuver for a particular rating or certificate. Each flight maneuver is broken down into a procedure that if performed in sequence will lead to the successful completion of each maneuver.
 
Instructor’s role: Teach each maneuver as described in the flight maneuvers guide, in the sequence described and evaluate student performance based on adherence to procedure.
 
Student’s role: Learn each maneuver prior to attending the flight lesson where that maneuver will be introduced and/or reviewed. The student should know the elements of each maneuver required for each lesson.
 
Flight Study Guide
 
The flight study guide is essentially a binder that holds training documentation that can be used by the student to help prepare for each flight lesson and stage check. The flight study guide is broken down into segments that are prepared by the student and then placed, sequentially by date lesson completed into the records folder.
 
·        Exercises specific to each flight lesson on the syllabus. *Not all flight lessons have a corresponding exercise, but may refer to previous exercises for review.
 
·        Flight Training Plan Forms
For each local flight within 25sm of the airport, a Flight Training Plan form is to be filled-out by each student in Stage II Private or higher prior to a scheduled flight. Weather conditions, performance, and weight/balance are recorded by the student so an appropriate ‘go-no/go’ can be determined based on conditions. Each flight training plan form is filed in the student’s binder sequentially.
 
·        Cross Country Flight Plan Forms
All flights greater than 25 s.m. from the airport requires a cross-country flight plan. The flight plan form must be filled-out with not only estimated, but ACTUAL recorded times. Attach a printout of all weather sources used to calculate flight plan and file in training binder sequentially with flight plan form.
 
·        De-Briefing Forms
For every flight lesson, a de-briefing form is to be filled-out by the student. This is usually printed on the back of each flight training plan form. This is the student’s de-briefing form and contains 3 important elements. The student’s score for each maneuver, the instructor’s justification for the score and finally, what the student should do to improve the score. It is very important that the student record this information as it will serve as a very valuable study aid for future flights. De-briefing forms should be studied regularly prior to each flight. For cross country flights, a separate de-briefing form is used that focuses on navigation of each flight leg and provides an opportunity for critique and evaluation focused on the elements of cross-country flight.
 
Student Role: Complete the flight plan form prior to the assigned lesson time. 
 
Instructor Role: Prior to each flight, the instructor should review the following:
  • Flight plan form for accuracy and completeness for the current flight.
  • Review de-briefing and/or flight plan forms on any solo flights conducted.
 
At end of each flight, on de-briefing form, the student should make entries for any maneuver that is below satisfactory. In feedback section, write specific recommendations to study. Always file flight plans in student binders. 
 
MyFBO Curriculum Tracking
 
The instructor inputs the student progress and grades each maneuver performed on the flight lesson. This gives the student an electronic record of his/her progress and satisfies the FAA requirements for Part 141 lesson progress tracking. This must be done immediately following each flight lesson.
 
Check & Course Evaluation

The Stage check allows a check pilot (Other than the student’s primary instructor) to evaluate the student’s progress in each stage of training. The stage is also used to evaluate the recordkeeping regarding each student’s progress. The stage check consists of a flight and a ground evaluation along with an overall review of the student’s progress.

 

 

 

The check pilot will evaluate and score the student’s performance on a series of maneuvers as defined in the syllabus to evaluate the student’s overall flight progress. Students that do not pass the flight check are required to have remedial instruction in the areas they are weak in and must also complete a flight exam that is passable.

 

 


 

Instructor’s role:

 

Flight Syllabus

 
The flight syllabus is an outline of materials to be covered in each flight lesson throughout the course. This lesson by lesson content provides the foundation for the training system. Both the student and the instructor know how to prepare for each lesson and what will be covered. The lesson objectives define student performance parameters that must be met prior to advancing to the next lesson.


 

  

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