The Importance of a Flight Training Syllabus
You've decided you want to learn how to fly? How exciting! When choosing your school or instructor, there may be so many options that it seems overwhelming. Maybe you don't know where to look or what questions to ask to help you decide. One of the most important questions you can ask the instructors in the interview process is what flight training syllabus they use.
Ask potential instructors: "What flight training syllabus do you use when training your students?"
Do not ask IF they use a syllabus, rather which one they use. The yes/no question can be easily deflected. Asking which syllabus they use will force them to answer and expound upon it.
When you begin flight training, your instructor should thoroughly brief you on the syllabus that they intend to use to help you progress through your flight training. A syllabus is a written plan of action for each phase, stage, and scenario within the overall course. Much like a syllabus you receive at the beginning of a college class, the flight training syllabus outlines when you learn certain subjects and perform certain tasks. Skills are grouped into different phases and stages of training to help organize the course, ie. pre-solo training, cross country training, and practical exam preparation. Lessons are typically completed in a certain order, building foundational skills before moving to more complex abilities. Sometimes conditions require lessons to be flown out of order.
Why is a flight training syllabus important?
There are two main reasons that you should look for a flight instructor that uses a syllabus:
A flight instructor who uses a syllabus exhibits a level of organization and professionalism that most likely transfers to all facets within instruction.
Using a syllabus ensures progression through flight training. It allows the instructor to keep track of your training, and empowers you to clearly see what you have accomplished and what skill set you will work on moving forward.
Instructors who do not use a syllabus will take longer to progress students through the aeronautical experience and ground knowledge required for completion of the certificate/rating. If an instructor doesn't effectively use a syllabus, they may also lose track of your progress, as demonstrated by constantly asking you "What did we do last time?" A syllabus that is appropriately used will also give you the power to take control of your flight training. By keeping track of your progress and what is coming next, you can ensure that you will always be prepared for your next flight.
Many syllabi are approved by the FAA, while some instructors may use one they made. When interviewing potential instructors, ask if you can see the syllabus that they use. They should have no problem sharing the entire document with you, if not then at least the outline. If they are unwilling to share the information, it may be time to move on to another instructor candidate. You can ask the instructor to walk you through the syllabus and how they use it. Request for them to tell you what to expect during a typical lesson.
When you choose to work with Gilbert Aviation for your flight training needs, you can expect that a syllabus will be used throughout your training. Each lesson will include a brief about what skills will be worked on, why they are important to learn, and the goals for the lesson.
A standard lesson with Gilbert Aviation will follow this format:
Ahead of the lesson, you should be informed you what you will do for that lesson. Appropriate reading or video material should be suggested for review ahead of the lesson.
Before going to the plane, there will be a thorough review of the material you covered and a brief of what will be done during that lesson. Purpose, objective, execution, and standards for that day will be briefed.
During the flight I will be 95% hands off. The best way to learn is through doing. Early on, I will demonstrate maneuvers and then hand the controls over to you and let you perform maneuvers while talking through them. You will make mistakes, which is how anyone learns. This requires some level of vulnerability, as with any new endeavor we pursue. Mistakes will be diagnosed and corrected to help you move toward the goals for the lesson.
After completion of the lesson, we will have a thorough debrief. You will assess and diagnose yourself based on the standards set at the beginning of the lesson, followed by my assessment and diagnosis of your performance. You'll be given a plan of action for how to improve and resources to study moving forward.
Because of the 2 hour minimum block, we will very rarely feel pressed for time - we both walk in with the expectation that we will spend at least two hours together, which allows you to feel more relaxed and have the opportunity to ask questions and ensure understanding.
Wash, rinse, and repeat!
Each of these lessons will fall into the syllabus. Gilbert Aviation utilizes the Kings Schools syllabi for training in the Part 61 environment. These are FAA approved syllabi and can be used in conjunction with the King Schools online ground courses.
If you have more questions related to a flight training syllabus, please reach out via email.
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