On-Track Aviation

UK | EASA | Flight Instructor Course (FIC) Instructor

Qualifying as an Flight Instructor Course (FIC) instructor is very rewarding...

General

Courses are avialble to EASA and UK licence holders

FCL.905.FI(j) (before Nov 2019 it was FCL.905.FI(i)) states that an FI has the privilege to instruct for the issue, revalidation and renewal of an FI, IRI, CRI, STI or MI certificate provided that the FI has completed:

(a) at least 500 hours of flight instruction in the appropriate aircraft category

(b) passed an assessment of competence in accordance with Part FCL.935 in the appropriate aircraft category to demonstrate to an FIE the ability to instruct for the FI certificate (see note)

Note: In the UK the FIE will normally be a CAA FOTI. Application for the assessment of competence is to be made to the UK CAA.

Applicants are strongly advised to seek guidance and undergo preparatory training with an FIE before taking the assessment of competence

Spinning Restrictions

Holders of a Part FCL pilot licence do not need to hold an aerobatic rating if spinning instruction is required for a certificate, rating or licence e.g. on FI training course, UPRT course, etc. However, if the licence holder is not giving spinning instruction an aerobatic rating is required

The holder of a United Kingdom national licence or NPPL(A) first issued before 30 September 2025 does not require to hold an aerobatic rating to undertake spinning in any capacity [ANO Schedule 8 Part 2 Chapter 2]

The holder of a United Kingdom national licence or NPPL(A) first issued after 30 September 2025 does require to hold an aerobatic rating to undertake spinning even whilst teaching e.g. FI training course, etc [ANO Schedule 8 Part 2 Chapter 2]

On-Track Aviation Flight Instructor Course (FIC) Instructor Preparatory Course

The On-Track Aviation 2 day FIC Instructor Preparatory Course is designed to help the applicant prepare for the role of FIC instructor and provide guidance on their strengths and weaknesses. It is a snap shot of what is expected of an FIC instructor and not a course of training to become an FIC instructor. There is no flying training on the course. A report will be raised and sent to each individual giving guidance on further study and preparation for the FIC instructor assessment of competence. The course tutors are all experienced FIEs who have been involved in FIC instructor training and selection for many years

Pre-Course Material (Self study)

Part FCL, ARA and ORA including the associated AMC and GM
UK CAA Information Notices, Skywise, AIC
Royal Air Force Manual Flying AP3456 (Volume 1 Principles of Flight only)
Instructor Manual (Part FCL edition)
Air Navigation Order (ANO)
UK CAA CAP 804
UK CAA Standards Document 10
Personal instructor notes/briefings
UK CAA ORS4

Aims

The aims of course are:

(a) To refresh and brief up to date FI requirements, responsibilities and revalidation requirements

(b) To emphasise the principles of standard instructional technique

(c) To check if the applicant has the skill and potential to instruct to a high standard and to convey these skills to others

Objectives

The applicant must be able to:

(a) Explain how to present a pre-flight briefing

(b) Describe how to present ground and airborne lessons

(d) Describe the standard instructional techniques for the airborne lessons

Training

The course covers the following:

Day 1

The FI, CRI and IRI courses on SP aeroplanes
# Relevant reference material in Part FCL, ORA and ARA including the associated AMC and GM
# Knowledge of pre-course requirements for FI, CRI and IRI courses
# FI, CRI and IRI syllabi
# Privileges of ratings and re-validation
# Responsibilities of the FIC instructor
# Structure of the FI assessment of competence

Training philosophies
# Importance of standardisation
# Value of a structured course of training
# Importance of a planned syllabus
# Integrate ground and flight training
# Assessments of competence

Techniques of ground instruction
# Teaching and learning revision
# Preparation and presentation of ground lecture including long briefs
# Classroom instructional techniques
# Use of training aids
# Group lesson
# Individual briefings
# Student participation and discussion
# Preparation for short question and answer from syllabus
# Pre flight briefs and post flight de-briefs
# Demonstration of pre flight brief by tutor

Pre flight brief
(Using an early PPL exercise)
# Given by applicant to a PPL student (simulated by tutor)
# Debrief by tutor

Pre flight brief
(Using early PPL exercises)
# Give back by tutor simulating student FI errors - de-brief by applicant
# Give by applicant as an example to student FI

Day 2

Airborne instruction
# Techniques of airborne instruction
# Compare differences from ground instruction
# The flight cockpit environment
# Pre flight analysis and organisation of airborne lesson
# Role playing
# Methods of demonstration and give back of airborne exercises
# Student practice
# Fault analysis

Student evaluation and testing
# Demonstration of de-brief
# Assessment of student performance
# Handling of unsatisfactory progress
# Analysis of student errors
# Establish reason for errors
# Tackle major faults first then minor faults second
# Avoidance of over criticism

Training administration
# Flight and ground training records
# Study material
# Official forms
# Aircraft flight manual / pilots operating handbook
# Aircraft documents

Hazards involved in simulating system functions and malfunctions during flight
# Selection of safe altitude
# Importance of touch drills - all except throttle, flap and carb heat
# Situational awareness
# Adherence to correct procedures
# FLWOP, EFATO, full flap go-around and touch and go landing
# Precautions during practice feathering drills (ME FI only)

Preparing applicant for assessment of competence
# Structure of the FIC instructor assessment of competence

Note: There is no flight training planned on the course

FCL.935 Assessment of Competence

An applicant for an instructor certificate shall pass an assessment of competence in the appropriate aircraft category to demonstrate to an examiner the ability to instruct a student pilot to the level required for the issue of the relevant licence, rating or certificate

This assessment shall include:

(a) the demonstration of the competencies described in FCL.920, during pre-flight, post-flight and theoretical knowledge instruction

(b) oral theoretical examinations on the ground, pre-flight and post-flight briefings and in-flight demonstrations in the appropriate aircraft class, type or FSTD

The assessment shall be performed on the same class or type of aircraft or FSTD used for the flight instruction

UK CAA Assessment of Competence

The assessment of competence schedule is given below

Section 1 Theoretical Knowledge Oral (See note 1)
#Long briefing / lesson title

#Air law
Aircraft general knowledge
Flight performance and planning
Human performance and limitations
Meteorology
Navigation
Operational procedures
Principles of flight
Training administration

Section 2 Pre-Flight Briefing
Visual presentation and content
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique including TEM/CRM
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Section 3 Flight
Arrangement of demonstration
Synchronisation of speech with demonstration
Assessment and correction of student faults
Aircraft handling
Instructional technique
General airmanship and safety
Positioning and use of airspace
Risk assessment including TEM/CRM

Section 4 Mandatory Exercises and other Exercises at Examiner's discretion
Spin avoidance (SE aeroplane)
Safety module (See note 2)
Take-off and climb, engine failure after take-off (SE aeroplane)
Approach, landing, missed approach
Forced landing without power (SE aeroplane)
Additional exercises title and number

Section 5 ME (Aeroplane) Exercises (See note 3)
Engine failure (simulated) after take-off or on go-around
Asymmetric approach and go around
Asymmetric approach and landing

Section 6 Instrument Exercises
Basic instrument flight
Applied instrument flight
Instrument approach
Limited panel and unusual attitudes

Section 7 Post-Flight De-Briefing
Visual presentation and content
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique and facilitation
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Notes:
1. This section is divided into two parts:

# The applicant is required to give a lesson under test conditions to other student(s), one of whom will be the examiner. The test lesson is to be selected from items of section 1. The amount of time for preparation of the test lesson is agreed upon beforehand with the examiner. Appropriate literature may be used by the applicant. The test lesson should not exceed 45 minutes

# The applicant is tested orally by the examiner for knowledge of items of section 1 and the core instructor competencies as given in the instructor course

2. The safety module is to comprise one or more exercise(s) from the following topics: weather appreciation, flight in poor visibility, calculation and appreciation of safety altitude, stall/spin awareness and navigation techniques

3. This section comprises additional exercises covering ME instructional privileges and is completed in a ME aircraft or FFS or FNPT II simulating a ME aircraft. This section, if applicable, is done in addition to sections 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7

EASA Assessment of Competence

The assessment of competence schedule is given below

Section 1 Theoretical Knowledge Oral (See note 1)
#Long briefing / lesson title

#Air law
Aircraft general knowledge
Flight performance and planning
Human performance and limitations
Meteorology
Navigation
Operational procedures
Principles of flight
Training administration

Section 2 Pre-Flight Briefing
Visual presentation
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Section 3 Flight
Arrangement of demo
Synchronisation of speech with demo
Correction of faults
Aircraft handling
Instructional technique
General airmanship and safety
Positioning and use of airspace

Section 4 ME (Aeroplane) Exercises (See note 2)
Actions following an engine failure shortly after take-off
SE approach and go around
SE approach and landing

Section 5 Post-Flight De-Briefing
Visual presentation
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Notes:
1. This section is divided into two parts:

# The applicant is required to give a lesson under test conditions to other student(s), one of whom will be the examiner. The test lesson is to be selected from items of section 1. The amount of time for preparation of the test lesson is agreed upon beforehand with the examiner. Appropriate literature may be used by the applicant. The test lesson should not exceed 45 minutes

# The applicant is tested orally by the examiner for knowledge of items of section 1 and the core instructor competencies as given in the instructor course

2. This section comprises additional exercises covering ME instructional privileges and is completed in a ME aircraft or FFS or FNPT II simulating a ME aircraft. This section, if applicable, is done in addition to sections 2, 3 and 5

FIC Instructor Certificate

The FIC instructor certificate will be issued after successfully passing the assessment of competence

FIC Instructor Privileges

To instruct for the issue, revalidation and renewal of an FI, IRI, CRI, STI or MI certificate

Validity

FIC instructor certificate will run concurrently with the validity of the FI certificate

Revalidation (FCL.940.FI, AMC1 FCL.940.FI)

Complete 2 of the following requirements:

(a) complete 50 hours of flight instruction during the period of validity. If the privileges to instruct for the IR are to be revalidated, 10 of these hours shall be flight instruction for an IR, and shall have been completed within the last 12 months preceding the expiry of the FI certificate (see notes 2, 3)

(b) completed instructor refresher training as an FI at an ATO or at the NAA during the period of validity

Notes:
1. An assessment of competence must be included as part of the revalidation requirements at every alternate revalidation
2. The 10 hours instrument instruction is not required if you teach only for the UK IMC rating / IR (Restricted)
3. The 10 hours IR instruction can be completed in either a SE or ME aeroplane if both SE and ME instructional privileges are held
4. In the UK holders of both SE and ME instructional privileges may complete a single flight in either a SE or ME aeroplane and the other privilege will be examined by oral questions during section 1 of the assessment of competence. This may not be the case in EASA
5. In EASA the assessment of competence must be the last item of the revalidation process in accordance with FCL.1030. In the UK this is not the case
6. When an assessment of competence is required for revalidation of an FI certificate, an applicant who fails to achieve a pass in the assessment before the expiry date of the FI certificate shall not exercise the privileges of that certificate until the assessment has successfully been completed
7. Hours flown as an examiner during skill tests or proficiency checks shall be credited in full towards revalidation requirements for all instructor certificates held

Renewal (FCL.940.FI, AMC1 FCL.940.FI)

Complete both of the following requirements within 12 months preceding FI certificate renewal:

(a) completed instructor refresher training as an FI at an ATO or at the National Aviation Authority

(b) pass an assessment of competence (see notes 1, 2)

Notes:
1. In the UK holders of both SE and ME instructional privileges may complete a single flight in either a SE or ME aeroplane and the other privilege will be examined by oral questions during section 1 of the assessment of competence. This may not be the case in EASA
2. In EASA the assessment of competence must be the last item of the revalidation process in accordance with FCL.1030. In the UK this is not the case

FCL.1030

When conducting skill tests, proficiency checks and assessments of competence, examiners shall:
(i) ensure that communication with the applicant can be established without language barriers
(ii) verify that the applicant complies with all the qualification, training and experience requirements in Part FCL for the issue, revalidation or renewal of the licence, rating or certificate for which the skill test, proficiency check or assessment of competence is taken
(iii) make the applicant aware of the consequences of providing incomplete, inaccurate or false information related to their training and flight experience