Class 4 instructor Flight test tips?

[tida]

Hey everybody. Ive got my class 4 instructor flight test on monday and i was wondering if anyone had any helpful tips or advice.

[Big Pistons Forever]

When the pressure is on the natural tendency is to speed up. This is bad, slow is always better when teaching something. For the ground briefing, if you find yourself going into motor mouth mode stop and ask a question relevant to the PGI. When in the air you will be asked to demo some of the air exercises. Remember you control the pace of every lesson. Before starting the demo get the aircraft perfectly trimmed and stable and then take 30 seconds to run through the major points of the presentation silently before launching into your spiel

[Hedley]

First, relax. Unwind. Don't stress yourself out. This is not your first flight test, after all. You have spent 25 hours on the ground and 30 hours in the air with a class one preparing for this flight test, and he wouldn't recommend you if he didn't think you knew your stuff.

Like any other flight test, it is NOT a race! Take your time. Don't hurry yourself into a mistake. Generally, if you pass the ground portion, you've got it made. You can probably fly an airplane and talk at the same time by now

Advice for the ground: clearly separate PGI from the pre-flight briefing. The pre-flight briefing should not take 45 minutes. The distinction between the two is often not well understood by new instructors.

Show up with a flight test guide! TP 5537 is your bible here:

http://shop.tc.gc.ca/TChtml/ibeCCtpItmD ... anguage=US

Free advice: before you do something for the Inspector, briefly review the "performance criteria" from the guide to make sure you don't miss anything. For example:

Preparatory Ground Instruction
Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate's ability to apply the instructional techniques and learning factors set out in the Flight Instructor Guide, including the ability to:

a.prepare the teaching area for effective student learning (readiness);
b.prepare/check training aids;
c.determine that the student is ready for learning;
d.explain where the lesson fits into the overall picture (relationship, readiness);
e.identify the main teaching points (readiness);
f.relate the lesson to past and/or future experiences of the student (relationship);
g.start presentation of new material at the student’s level of understanding (readiness, relationship, effect);
h.proceed at the rate of student comprehension (relationship, exercise, primacy, effect);
i.use developmental teaching (exercise, effect, relationship);
j.introduce each stage of the lesson and provide a link between stages (relationship);
k.obtain student feedback throughout the lesson (exercise, effect);
l.respond to student feedback (effect);
m.identify and emphasize major points for the student (exercise, effect);
n.give clear explanations (primacy, effect, relationship);
o.use visual aids effectively (effect, intensity);
p.use voice effectively by varying rate, volume and pitch (intensity);
q.appear enthusiastic about the subject being taught (intensity);
r.use eye contact effectively (intensity);
s.involve the student effectively;
t.confirm student learning at the end of each stage.

Nailing the PGI is a good start. Make sure you do the above.

Pre-Flight Briefing
Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate's ability to:

a.briefly outline the proposed flight, including where the training will be conducted, the sequence of exercises to be covered, the take-off time and duration of the flight;
b.review meteorological and aerodrome conditions and NOTAM, obtaining student involvement appropriate for the stage of training;
c.assess the aircraft to be used, including its fuel state and readiness for the training flight;
d.review applicable safety considerations, such as winter operations;
e.review relevant flight management/decision-making situations expected during the flight lesson.

Don't miss anything in the above. Don't add extra crap, either.

Teaching Proficiency (in flight)
Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate's ability to:

a.apply the demonstration – performance method of teaching;
b.explain key points of the manoeuvre to be demonstrated;
c.give an effective demonstration of the manoeuvre;
d.communicate effectively;
e.divide a complex manoeuvre into simple elements;
f.make efficient use of the time available;
g.assign appropriate student practice.

Analysis of Student Performance
Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate's ability to:

a.judge the normal level of performance for the stage of training represented;
b.identify and assess strengths;
c.identify and assess weaknesses;
d.discriminate between critical and minor weaknesses;
e.give feedback to correct critical weaknesses;
f.judge which minor weaknesses require feedback;
g.give feedback, as appropriate, to correct minor weaknesses;
h.demonstrate knowledge of the skill requirements for the permit, licence or rating being sought.

Post-Flight Debriefing
Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate's ability to:

a.help students assess their own performance;
b.assess student performance, including strengths and weaknesses;
c.make specific suggestions for improvement;
d.answer any questions the student may have;
e.assign study for the next flight lesson.

Deliver on the flight test guide. Do this by printing off the above as separate pages and scanning them briefly before you do them.

Also, don't forget safety. Emphasize the lookout in flight, and DON'T forget to do your HASEL check before the start of a air lesson!

If you take my advice, I have one word for you: Congratulations!

[KK7]

Aside from the above excellent points, one thing that I always reminded myself when doing an instructor flight test that helped immensely...

The point of the flight test is to show that you can be an instructor, so act like an instructor: The inspector is playing the role of student, and you're the one in charge. Imagine that the examiner is a student showing up for a lesson. He'll tell you where he is in his training and he may even specifically ask for a lesson which makes this step super easy. Teach him the PGI like he doesn't know anything about the exercise you're about to do, and do the pre-flight briefing like he is a novice at flying and can't check the weather for himself.

Remember, you're in charge! And you are the one that sets the direction of the briefing and the flight, not the other way around!

[lownslow]

Do all of the things that the guys above have said then the day of your flight test think of the worst instructor you've ever known and realize that if they can do it, you can too. At least, that's how I always approached these things.

LnS.

[AJV]

Ok, at this stage of the game TC wants to know you know the basics. So expect something simple ie straight and level, and keep it simple and to the point!!! Don't let them complicate it for you!!! KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!! Remember, you are supposed to be teaching someone who knows nothing about flying and will probably have a million questions that can lead you off to talk about more complicated things.....KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!!!!
Good day......I SAID GOOD DAY!!!

[tida]

Thanks everybody a lot of this is really putting stuff in perspective and reassuring as well. Really appreciate it.
LOL @ LnS

[squirrely]

Don't do anything in the air that you didn't talk about on the ground. Fly the lesson exactly how you briefed it so theres no surprises for you or your "student". Also, try to teach the entire lesson by asking the student questions. And finally, DON'T BULLSH*T! It's not as scary as it sounds so sit back, relax, and enjoy it! It's a great learning experience.

Good luck

[La Mouette]

I did the ride last year. TC guy asked me to give the #24 instruments lesson. He ask me to use the 7 learning principles. He said: OK, I've got 20h DC and 10 PIC. My last instructor quit the job for a charter job and you are my new instructor. Check my PTR and I'll be back in 25 min. The deal was : Are you ready as a student to get this new lesson. Did you have previous instrument flying time ( 0.4-0.5 each time you fly trough the training zone, ect ) The ground brieffing is the key to succeed . It took me 0.7 of test flight .If you do believe in the instructing career, that's a great job. I'm only sorry that's an under paid job.

[pilotincommand]

DONT be afraid to ask the examiner - are you the student or the examiner? as sometimes it will get confusing cause its all role playing. have fun with it. but if he or she asks you a question that could be coming from a student seeking answers, or the examiner just testing you dont be afraid to ask.

GOOD LUCK


PIC

[appilot]

How did it go tida? Any advice to pass on from your ride?