FI course Oxford 12 May 2014

[TiltedTomato]

Hi everyone,

I'll be attending the Flight instructor course at Oxford in May 2014. I was wondering if anyone could tell me which model of the PA28 we will use exactly? And if someone knows where I can find the POH/AFM it would be great to be able to study it before going.

Any other recommendation on what to study besides the Standards Document 10?

Thanks!

[Reverserbucket]

Good luck with that.

[ifitaintboeing]

Some documents to keep you busy:

UK CAA Standards Document 10(A)
UK CAA Standards Document 19(A)
UK CAA CAP 413 - Radio Telephony Manual
UK CAA CAP 804
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (EASA Part-FCL)
AMC and GM to Part-FCL which contains the PPL syllabus

Revise PPL Theoretical Knowledge to a good standard (see Standards Doc 10 and AMC and GM to Part-FCL for knowledge level expected)
Flying Training Instructor Manual by R D Campbell
AP3456 Royal Air Force Manual Flying (volume 1 only - Principles of Flight)
On-Track Aviation EASA Instructor Manual (Part 1 and 2)
Aircraft POH and Checklist

[TiltedTomato]

Thanks to both of you!

[cl0ud9]

The advice given to date is good except don't worry about the on-track material as you will be given essentially the same material at the start of the course. Standards Doc 10 is very useful - especially getting to grips with the questions at the back of the document. The aircraft which will be used is a PA28-161 and a Zlin 242 (for the spinning). The main thing is to try to understand the EASA PPL syllabus and refresh your technical knowledge. There should be 3 of you on the course and the interaction is usually very good. Hope that helps.

[portsharbourflyer]

Sorry, don't care how good the FI tutors are, the PA28 is a totally unsuitable aircraft for an FI course.



Great for the infrequent Sunday after noon flyer, it is pretty good for touring, but far too easy to fly and forgiving for training an Instructor.

[TiltedTomato]

Thanks for the answers guys.

I am currently trying to answer most of the questions that are at the end of Standards Document 10? Is that the way to go?

Or should I just read that to be aware of the type of questions likely to be asked?

Oxford says there's a pre-course study of 15 hours but it is beginning to look like it's more 15 weeks to me and I'm beginning to panic.

@cl0ud9 > It looks like you did the FI course at Oxford. How long did it take you?

[ifitaintboeing]

Or should I just read that to be aware of the type of questions likely to be asked?

May I recommend that you go through the Appendix to Standards Document 10(A): identify questions which you cannot easily or fully answer, and do the necessary research to fill those gaps in your knowledge. There is no shortcut to gaining the background knowledge and understanding required to become an instructor. Your FIC Instructor will also help you to focus your study once you're on the course.

[cl0ud9]

PA28 for FI Training

"Sorry, don't care how good the FI tutors are, the PA28 is a totally unsuitable aircraft for an FI course. "

Interesting comment. I wonder what aircraft you consider to be best for this training.

[octavian]

I agree with cl0ud9; the aeroplane is merely a vehicle, it is the quality of instruction that matters. That will be what defines the course.

[Cows getting bigger]

I'll not be as outspoken against the PA28 but I do think something like the Tomahawk or 152 is better at teaching FIs. For example, demonstrating adverse yaw or the effects of power is far more difficult in a PA28. Stalls are far more benign with less opportunity to demonstrate some of the symptoms. As for landings, they didn't call it the 'Piper auto land' for nothing.

In summary, not a bad aircraft, just one that I think dulls some of the bits which are important to being an FI. If I had an FI looking for a job having done his course on a PA28 I would spend a little time refining his skills on a 152 before letting him loose.

Recommendations - the flying bit is the easy bit. The trick is being able to teach.