Help for Instructors

Updated Aug 10, 2024

With the growing demand for remote learning and the advancement of technology, online flight instruction has become an increasingly viable and effective way to teach aviation students. Whether you're a seasoned instructor looking to expand your teaching methods or new to the world of online flight training, equipping yourself with the right tools and software is essential for success.

Below, we’ve categorized the essential tools and resources that will help you succeed as an online flight instructor.

1. Interactive Teaching Tools

A. Online Whiteboards and Presentation Tools: An online whiteboard is great for explaining concepts, annotating diagrams, and collaborating with students in real time online.

• Jamboard: A Google product, Jamboard integrates with Google Meet and other Google tools. It’s user-friendly and perfect for drawing diagrams, making notes, and sharing ideas.
• Google Slides: Perfect for preparing and presenting lesson materials in a structured format, useful for ground school topics.

Tips:

• Use online whiteboards to visually explain complex concepts and to allow students to participate actively during the lesson.
• Save and share the whiteboard content after the lesson for students to review.

B. ASA CX-3 Flight Computer (Online Version): It is an essential tool for simplifying flight planning. This online version provides accurate calculations for time, speed, distance, heading, and more. It’s especially useful for instructing students in flight planning, ensuring that they understand the complexities involved in preparing for a flight.

C. Flight Simulation Software:

• Flight simulators are invaluable for online flight instruction, allowing students to practice maneuvers and procedures in a risk-free environment.
• X-Plane: Known for its realistic flight dynamics, X-Plane is a popular choice among flight instructors for its wide range of aircraft and customizable weather scenarios.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator: Offers stunning graphics and real-world terrain, making it a favorite for visual flight rules (VFR) training.
• Prepar3D: Developed by Lockheed Martin, this simulator is favored for its professional-grade features and extensive customization options.

D. Flight Instructor "e"Teaching Tools: Rod Machado’s eTeaching Tools are a set of interactive resources designed to help instructors teach complex concepts such as airspace classification, stall speeds, and VOR navigation. These tools are particularly useful in an online setting where visual aids can enhance understanding and retention.

2. Educational and Reference Materials

A. Flight Training Syllabi: A well-structured syllabus is the backbone of any flight training program. For online instruction, it's crucial to have digital versions of these syllabi readily available. These documents should outline the objectives, required materials, lesson plans, and assessment methods for each stage of training. While some flight instructors have developed their own ones, there are some popular sources include:

• FAA Training Handbooks: The FAA offers a range of free handbooks covering topics from basic aerodynamics to advanced flight maneuvers.
• Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Flight Training Syllabus (Stick and Rudder) & Instrument Flight Training Syllabus: Private Pilot Flight Training Syllabus emphasizes the fundamentals of "stick and rudder" flying skills, which are critical for all pilots. This syllabus has been tried and tested over decades of teaching pilots, making it a reliable guide for any flight instructor and their students; On the other hand, the Instrument Flight Training Syllabus is designed to be the straightforward and comprehensive guide for both flight instructors and students pursuing their Instrument Flight Rating (IFR).
• Jeppesen: Known for their professional-grade aviation training materials, including digital syllabi for various certifications.

B. Interactive Training Content: Interactive training content offer a dynamic way for students to engage with the material. These resources often include embedded videos, quizzes, and hyperlinks to additional resources. Platforms like AOPA offers digital versions of essential flight training resources that can be accessed from any device.

3. Flight Planning Tools

A. Charting Tools: Digital charts are essential for navigation and planning. These tools offer updated sectional charts, enroute charts, and approach plates.

• SkyVector: A free online tool providing VFR and IFR charts, flight planning capabilities, and weather overlays.
• ForeFlight: In addition to its other features, ForeFlight offers comprehensive charting tools with automatic updates.

B. Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs): EFBs are crucial for both planning and executing flights. They consolidate charts, weather information, navigation logs, and other essential documents into one easy-to-access digital platform.

• ForeFlight: Arguably the most popular EFB, ForeFlight offers comprehensive flight planning tools, including weather briefings, charts, and navigation logs.
• Garmin Pilot: Another powerful EFB, Garmin Pilot is known for its user-friendly interface and integration with Garmin avionics.

C. Weather Planning Tools: Accurate weather forecasting is crucial for safe flight operations. While EFBs often include weather information, standalone weather planning tools can provide more detailed insights.

• Aviation Weather Center: Run by NOAA, this site provides up-to-date weather briefings and forecasts tailored for aviation.
• Windy: Offers detailed weather maps, including wind patterns and cloud cover, which can be invaluable for flight planning.

4. Document Sharing and Collaboration

Sharing documents, lesson plans, and other materials with your students is a key part of online instruction. Collaborative document tools ensure that both you and your students can access and work on the same files.

• Google Drive: Google Drive allows you to store and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with your students. You can also collaborate in real time using Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Tips:

• Organize your files into folders by topic or course to make it easy for students to find what they need.
• Use shared documents for collaborative exercises, such as flight planning or case study analysis.

By integrating the right tools and resources into the teaching practice, you'll be well-equipped to provide high-quality, flexible, and effective online flight instruction, no matter where your students are in their aviation journey.

Flight instructors at Skyfarer Academy will have access to detailed Instructor Tools and Resources that can further enhance their teaching experience. While these tools are valuable, they are just part of the comprehensive support system we offer. As an online flight instructor, your success also depends on your adaptability, creativity, and dedication to continuous learning.