We will break down the importance of flight instructors, how they enrich the lives of pilots, and the many roles that they take on every day.
Flight instructors put on multiple hats throughout the day. They do not only have to fulfil the role of a teacher, but they must also take on administrative tasks to ensure that the flight school is operating at full efficiency.
If you have been wondering what a day in the life of a flight instructor is like, then this guide is just for you! We will break down the importance of flight instructors, how they enrich the lives of pilots, and the many roles that they take on every day.
Flight Instructors – The Evolution of Aviation Training
Flight instructors were a scarce and even rare commodity during the early years of aviation. After the first successful manned flight in 1903, the aviation community around the world finally had a blueprint for establishing their own aircraft design – but we still lacked the means to teach other people to fly.
It's no surprise that the early pilots were not regular people, in fact, they were thrill seekers, adventurers, and more than anything else, they were risk-takers. The truth is that aircraft safety was highly questionable during the early years of aviation and there weren’t enough standardised rules to mitigate the risks associated with flying. This reason, coupled with a few accidents, prompted pilots to adopt a more streamlined and standardised approach toward teaching pilots how to fly.
However, in order to adopt a standard, a few things had to happen. Let’s first talk about how flight instructors and the aviation industry in general helped standardise the design of light aircraft.
Light aircraft are the choice for every flight instructor because of their versatility and accessibility. These aircraft have been crucial in aviation since the beginning and were also once the only type of aircraft available to fly. The first flight-capable aircraft, called Kitty Hawk, was designed by the Wright brothers and their design provided a blueprint for future aircraft designs, at least for a few years.
Kitty Hawk was a relatively simple fixed-wing aircraft and was controlled using a 3-axis design which was a revolutionary way to pilot aircraft. The early aviation community quickly understood that if they wanted aviation to take off, then they would have to follow the same suit and design similar aircraft.
On the other hand, flight schools had also started to pop up around the globe. Many people believe that the manufacturing of aircraft and the rise of flight schools around the world were timed perfectly. In fact, by 1910, there were flight schools in most developed countries, including the USA, where the Wright brothers opened up their first flying school.
This flying school consisted of highly experienced pilots that had been practising on the Wright Flyer and other similar aircraft designs for at least the better half of a decade.
The Wright flying school was seen as a pivotal point in aviation because the facility not only trained regular folks but was also focused on teaching military personnel. Unfortunately, this was also coincidentally timed perfectly as the world was already on the brink of a huge conflict: World War 1.
By 1914, the war had begun, and this is when hobbyists and aviation enthusiasts took a backseat. The Wright brothers were one of the first to sell aircraft to the military and they had also doubled down on increasing the number of skilled flight instructors to train military personnel.
More importantly, the military took a personal interest in aviation because of its usefulness in combat. This is when the military started to invest heavily in developing more flight schools, improving training, and improving the design of aircraft. Even though the war had terrible human consequences, it was no doubt a catalyst in developing the future of aviation.
After the war ended, we had a better understanding of aircraft technology, and we also developed the basis for advanced training for pilots. More importantly, the world had witnessed the practicality of aircraft and how useful they can be for a range of purposes.
Shaping the Future of Aviation in the UK
By 1945, the world had already developed advanced aircraft that were capable of transporting not just cargo, but also people. Flight schools were also at their peak as there were more and more schools being opened around the globe – and every school was focused on providing a highly-experienced faculty.
The UK, for example, was at the forefront of establishing a series of flight schools that could compete with the best of the best in the world. One such flight school was Sherburn Aero Club, which opened its gates in 1964 as one of the premier flight schools in the country.
Perhaps the best thing about the flight schools in the UK was that they were built on a very flourishing community of private pilots and enthusiasts. In fact, many of the pilots that went on to teach at flight schools in the UK had gleaming CVs since they had both private and military experience which is why the UK quickly became a home for pilots that wanted to up their aviation game!
Fortunately, there was also quite a lot of public interest in the aviation scene which led to the eventual development of a thriving culture with even more candidates joining flight schools around the UK.
Flight instructors also had a huge role in attracting new candidates to aviation. Since instructors and pilots are the face of aviation, they are highly respected and looked up to as inspiring figures.
Here are some of the things that light aircraft pilots are responsible for apart from training:
Practical, Theoretical and Etiquette Training
Pilots don’t just train candidates on practical and theoretical topics, but they also groom them to be the best of the best. If you want to understand what we mean, then you will have to meet a pilot. You will immediately notice their calm demeanour and their basic etiquette when addressing candidates. This is extremely important because pilots are held to a high standard and are expected to be at their best both on and off the tarmac.
Inspiring and Guiding Candidates
As discussed above, a flight instructor’s job is more than merely teaching. They are the face of the aviation industry and are seen as role models. The good thing is that flight instructors don’t have to actively inspire people. Their demeanour, actions, and teaching methodology are usually enough to spark the interest in people who want to learn how to fly!
Evolving Training Methods
Flight instructors are responsible for being open to change. Since aviation is an ever-evolving industry, instructors must keep up with the latest regulations and aircraft technology so that they can keep their curriculum up to date. Flight instructors usually attend seminars and visit airshows or other aviation-related events to not just learn more about aviation, but to also evolve their teaching methods so that they can train their students more efficiently!
A Day in the Life of a Light Aircraft Flight Instructor
Here are some of the common roles of flight instructors:
Planning the Day
Flight instructors lead a very different life than regular people. They value their time and always strive to make the most of their day. This is why most successful light aircraft instructors make it a habit to wake up early in the morning.
Waking up early in the morning allows you to get more things done than if you wake up late in the afternoon. For example, flight instructors can assess the weather conditions for the day and plan their morning and afternoon within the wee hours of the morning.
Checking for weather conditions is an extremely important task because bad weather can completely change the routine of a flight instructor. Most flight instructors also usually check and send out emails so that they can prepare for the administrative tasks for the day.
Inspection and Pre-Flight Routine
After having breakfast and reaching the flight school, a flight instructor would commonly mark their attendance and then proceed to the runway if they don’t have any other administrative task at hand.
This is when instructors check the aircraft that is scheduled to fly for the day. The instructor may perform an inspection of the aircraft to ensure that they are ready-to-fly and don’t have any standing issues. If there is a problem, then the instructor will inform the engineering department so that they can address the issue before the candidates arrive.
Preparing the Students
Once the candidates arrive, the flight instructor will usually immediately begin with the flight training. However, before the students are allowed in the cockpit, they will have to go through a quick briefing where the flight instructor will guide them about the objectives of the day and the topics that they will be covering during the training session. The flight instructor will also convey all the necessary safety instructions and remind the students of the protocols to ensure a smooth training session.
Practical Training
After the briefings, the flight instructor will queue the candidates and begin training. The instructor and candidate will man the aircraft and then begin the pre-flight procedures. The instructor will convey all the necessary information regarding the training session and will guide the candidate through the take-off procedure. After taking off, the instructor will then shift their focus to teaching various manoeuvres and will carefully evaluate the candidate and then provide them with feedback.
Flight instructors can conduct multiple flights according to their capacity but are also entitled to take breaks so that they are always mentally present and not physically tired during the test flights.
After the flight session, the pilot will instruct the candidate to land the plane. Once landed, the flight instructor will debrief the student and provide them with valuable feedback (if needed) so that they can improve during the next session.
This feedback is extremely important and is one of the most crucial roles of a flight instructor. Great flight instructors don’t just criticise, but they lead their students by giving them step-by-step instructions on how to improve their next flight!
Admin Tasks
When a flight instructor isn’t flying, they are usually busy with administrative tasks on the ground. During the quieter hours of the day, or during break times, instructors will usually catch up on paperwork or other administrative tasks such as going through the curriculum or addressing the needs of the students. This is also when the flight instructors will answer emails, and calls or address walk-in potential candidates that want to learn more about aviation and flight training.
Flight instructors are also encouraged to exchange notes with other instructors and work in tandem so that every instructor is on the same page when it comes to flight training and the various protocols related to training.
After the training sessions for the day have been completed, the instructors will usually update the individual progress report of each of their students. They may also plan the next day ahead and set reminders or tasks for the week.
Final Tasks
Once the day has been completed, flight instructors will usually begin to unwind as they will only have to address admin tasks on the ground. If the instructor is done for the day, they will end their day by inspecting their aircraft and locking it. Flight instructors are responsible for their aircraft which is why they take extra time to ensure that their particular aircraft is at optimal condition.
Once they are free from the day-to-day duties of the flight school, the instructors will be free to go home or spend time with other fellow instructors. In most cases, instructors like to head home and spend time with their family before sleeping in early so that they can repeat the same routine the next day. However, an important point to note here is that there is rarely any monotony in the life of a flight instructor.
Since every student is different, they are usually presented with new challenges to teach candidates. This is one of the key reasons why being a light aircraft flight instructor is so rewarding, you don’t just get to teach, but you also get to shape the lives of future pilots for the better!
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran in various types of light aircraft.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on light aircraft, training requirements, fee structure, licencing procedures, as well as experience flights and pilot training at Sherburn.
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