Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

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Aero-Tips 10.07.06

Many pilots don't know that there are certificated ground (as opposed to flight) instructors. Like flight instructors, ground instructors must pass two written tests -- the Fundamentals of Instruction test and an aeronautical knowledge test.

Note: An applicant for a ground instructor certificate is not required if the applicant already holds a flight instructor certificate, is a licensed teacher certified for Grade 7 or higher, or is employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.

FAR 61.215 tells us the privileges of three types of ground instructors-basic, advanced and instrument.

A basic ground instructor is authorized to provide:

1. Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas for a sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, or associated ratings under Part 61;
2. Ground training for a sport pilot, recreational pilot, and private pilot flight review; and
3. A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of a sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or private pilot certificate under Part 61.

An advanced ground instructor is authorized to provide:

1. Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for any certificate or rating under Part 61;
2. Ground training required for any flight review; and
3. A recommendation for a knowledge test required for any certificate under this part.

An instrument ground instructor is authorized to provide:

1. Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas for an instrument rating;
2. Ground training for an instrument proficiency check; and
3. A recommendation for a knowledge test or the issuance of an instrument rating under Part 61.

Aero-tip of the day: Want to teach aviation, but not in flight?  Consider earning a ground instructor certificate.

FMI: Aero-Tips