Introduction The 2 day FIC Preparatory Course is designed to provide the applicant with tuition on how to conduct and organise FI courses at an FTO and to prepare the applicant for the FIC Proficiency Check. Only when the applicant has successfully completed the FIC Preparatory Course may they proceed to the FIC Proficiency Check. Our expertise as an instructor training establishment has been recognised by the CAA as two memebers of our staff are regularly involved in the FIC instructor Initial Assessment interviews. In addition, they are also asked to conduct both the FIC Preparatory Course and Proficiency Check.

Pre-Entry Requirements

(a) Hold a valid ATPL (A) or CPL (A)

(b) Hold a valid FI rating (not FI (R) or AFI)

(c) Have 500 hours ab-initio flying instructional experience as the holder of a FI rating in aeroplanes

(d) Have a letter of recommendation from the FTO at which courses will be conducted

(e) Have successfully completed the Initial Assessment

Aims

The aims of FIC Preparatory Course are:

(a) To refresh and brief up to date FI requirements, responsibilities and revalidation requirements

(b) To emphasise the principles of standard instructional technique

(c) To ensure that the applicant has the skill and potential to instruct to a high standard and to convey these skills to others

Objectives

The applicant must be able to:

(a) Explain how to present a pre-flight briefing

(b) Demonstrate how to present ground and airborne lessons

(c) Teach the correct terminology to be used during the lessons

(d) Describe the standard instructional techniques for the airborne lessons

Flying and Ground Training

Undergo a 2 day training course conducted by an FIE covering the following:

DAY 1

• The FIC including CRI and IRI courses on SPA
  • Relevant reference material in JAR-OPS, ANO, AOPA Syllabus and AIC
  • Knowledge of pre-course requirements for FI, CRI and IRI courses
  • FI, CRI and IRI syllabi
  • Privileges of ratings and re-validation
  • Responsibilities of the FIC instructor
  • Structure of the FI test
• Training philosophies
  • Importance of standardisation
  • Value of a structured course of training
  • Importance of a planned syllabus
  • Integrate ground and flight training
  • Skill tests
• Techniques of ground instruction
  • Teaching and learning revision
  • Preparation and presentation of ground lecture including long briefs
  • Classroom instructional techniques
  • Use of training aids
  • Group lecture
  • Individual briefings
  • Student participation and discussion
  • Preparation for short 'question and answer' from syllabus
  • Pre flight briefs and post flight de briefs
  • Demonstration of pre flight brief by FIE
• Airborne instruction
  • Techniques of airborne instruction
  • Compare differences from ground instruction
  • The flight cockpit environment
  • Pre flight analysis and organisation of airborne lesson
  • Role playing
  • Methods of demonstration and 'give back' of airborne exercises
  • Student practice
  • Fault analysis
• Student evaluation and testing
  • Demonstration of de brief
  • Assessment of student performance
  • Handling of unsatisfactory progress
  • Analysis of student errors
  • Establish reason for errors
  • Tackle major faults first then minor faults second
  • Avoidance of over criticism

DAY 2

• Pre flight brief
  • 'Give back' by FIE simulating 'student FI' errors - de brief by applicant (exercise to be flown later)
  • 'Give' by applicant as an example to 'student FI' (exercise to be flown later)
• Pre flight instruction
  • Given by applicant to 'student FI' on how to conduct the selected air exercise (patter notes)
• Flight exercise (1.5 hours in a simple SE aeroplane)
  • The 'give back' flown by the FIE with typical 'student FI' errors
  • The 'give' flown by applicant as an example to the 'student FI'
  • Flying skills - selection of 'snapshots' of air exercises flown and 'pattered' by applicant
• Flight exercise de brief
  • Applicant de briefs the 'student FI' on air exercise
  • Applicant de briefed on his performance by FIE
• Training administration
  • Flight and ground training records
  • Study material
  • Official forms
  • Aircraft flight manuals / pilots operating handbook
  • Aircraft documents
• Hazards involved in simulating system functions and malfunctions during flight
  • Selection of safe altitude
  • Importance of touch drills
  • Situational awareness
  • Adherence to correct procedures
  • FLWOP, EFATO, full flap go-around and touch and go landing
  • Precautions during practice feathering drills (ME FI only)
• Preparing applicant for test
  • Structure of test for FIC approval

References