The AOPA (UK) Ground Instructor Certificate could be your first step to becoming a CRI or FI Use this new qualification to help fellow pilots understand the theory of flight and much more...

Introduction

It is a qualification attainable by an individual who undertakes to give instruction in the ground subjects associated with the JAA PPL or the UK NPPL. The purpose of the certificate is to improve the status and quality of instruction and training in the technical subjects for the JAA PPL / UK NPPL. In addition, it would allow an FI who may have lost his licence to continue to teach JAA PPL / UK NPPL subjects on the ground. Moreover the UK CAA accept the certificate as credit towards other instructor qualifications (CRI, IRI or FI) (see Credits Towards Other Instructor Qualifications below)

Pre-Entry Requirements

(a) Normally hold or have held within the last 10 years a PPL

(b) Have attained the age of 18 years

(c) Complete a registration form and paid the appropriate fee to AOPA

(d) Pass a pre-entry written examination

Pre-Entry Examination

This is a 2 hour multi-choice examination consisting of 50 questions covering the JAA PPL theoretical knowledge syllabus. The pass mark is 75%. A pass in the examination is valid for a maximum of 6 months during which the candidate must commence the Ground Instructor Course. Candidates who do not pass the examination at the first attempt may re-sit the examination

Aim

To give training to the applicant in teaching and learning and in theoretical knowledge instruction in order to be able to give ground tuition for the JAA PPL / UK NPPL and such associated ratings which the applicant may also hold e.g. IMC rating.

Objectives

The applicant must be able:

(a) To explain the importance of human factors in the application of theoretical knowledge to flying

(b) To understand adults needs, their behavioural attitudes and be able to assess their variable levels of education

(c) To explain the technical subjects as per the JAA PPL syllabus

(d) To decribe the principles of basic instruction and be able to apply them at JAA PPL level

(e) To discuss flight safety as it is related to the ground instructor's task

Course Description

It must be undertaken at an FTO which is a coporate member of AOPA approved to conduct courses for the FI rating. The instruction shall be given by an FIC (Flight Instructor Course) authorised instructor and will consist of lectures, tutorials and directed private study. The course may be attended full or part time.

Training

The mandatory training for the certificate requires a minimum of 63 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction. The subjects covered during the course will include Teaching and Learning and Training Administration and the following theoretical knowledge subjects from the PPL syllabus:

Air Law, Aeroplane General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, Navigation, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight and Communications.

During the course the student instructor will practise giving ground lectures in the above subjects from the PPL syllabus to other students or the FIC instructor giving the course.

Ground Instructor Skill Test

On satisfactory completion of the training the applicant must pass a Ground Instructor Skill Test with an FIE (Flight Instructor Examiner) or FIC instructor (see note). The contents of the Skill Test include:

(a) Theoretical Knowledge lesson not exceeding 45 mins given to the examiner or to other students one of whom will be the examiner (Subject chosen from the JAA PPL syllabus)

(b) Oral examination covering Teaching and Learning and subjects from the JAA PPL syllabus

(c) Result and applicant de-brief

Note: If the applicant wishes to use the certificate to claim credits towards other instructor ratings then the Skill Test shall be conducted by an FIE. Otherwise the Skill Test may be conducted by an FIC instructor other than the applicants own instructor.

Validty

3 years

Exemptions / Credits

The table summarises the exemptions and credits for the AOPA Ground Instructor Certificate

Revalidation

There are 2 methods of revalidating the certificate within the 3 year period of validity:

Pass a revalidation Ground Instructor Skill Test with an FIC instructor or FIE

OR

Attend a Instructor Refresher Seminar

Renewal

To renew a certificate which is no longer valid:

Pass a Ground Instructor Skill Test with an FIC instructor or FIE

Credits Towards Other Instructor Qualifications

The holder of an AOPA Ground Instructor Certificate who attended a Ground Instructor Course at an FTO approved to conduct courses for the FI rating and passed a Skill Test with an FIE may claim the following:

(a) A credit of 63 hours towards the 125 hours required for the FI rating

(b) Credit for the 25 hours Teaching and Learning Core Course element of the Class Rating Instructor (CRI)

(c) Credit for the 25 hours Teaching and Learning Core Course element of the Instrument Rating Instructor (IRI)

References

AOPA Ground Instructor Certificate Syllabus

AOPA JAR-FCL PPL (A) Syllabus

UK NPPL (A) Syllabus

Instructional Techniques For The Flight Instructor by John Halstead and Alan Newton (click here for details)