Flight instructor (Vlieginstructeur)
Information on this skill...
A flight instructor is a pilot and instructor who is responsible for the training of candidate pilots and any further training of pilots. A flight instructor is usually not only responsible for giving flight lessons, but also for giving theory lessons to candidate pilots. There are different qualifications as a flight instructor, so the work and responsibilities of a flight instructor can differ per training. In addition, there is an important difference between training hobby pilots and training airline pilots, because these pilots cannot simply be compared with each other. A hobby pilot and airline pilot must both have the correct pilot's license, but there are different pilot's licenses, such as the GPL (glider pilot), the RPL (sports pilot), the pilot's license PPL (private pilot), the CPL (professional pilot) license and the ATL (airline pilot) pilot's license. These different pilot's licenses cannot simply be compared with each other. The profession of flight instructor can therefore relate to different flight instructors. All flight instructors have in common that they are responsible for training pilots. A flight instructor does this by flying together in a training aircraft and by holding exercises in a flight simulator. The goal is that candidate pilots can and may eventually fly independently after obtaining the pilot's license. The training of pilots involves specialized work, which may only be carried out by the right instructors who have a lot of knowledge and experience. The training to become a flight instructor is a combination of theory and practical lessons.
A flight instructor therefore works as an instructor and is responsible for training pilots. It is not the case that flight instructors are only responsible for giving practical lessons, because the theory is just as important. The theory lesson consists of various components, such as the knowledge of aerodynamics and the learning of instructional techniques. An important part of the flight instructor training is the classroom teaching of candidate pilots. In addition, most flight schools use flight simulators to allow prospective pilots to gain flying experience. As a flight instructor you are therefore a special instructor, focused on the training of pilots and the further training of pilots, depending on the privileges and responsibilities of the flight instructor. There are various flight instructor training courses, such as the Flight Instructor (FI) course, the Instrument Rating Instructor (FI for IR) course and the Multi Engine Instructor (MEI) course. These courses all relate to flight instructors. The competences do differ per training, because there are different pilots, such as sports pilots and professional pilots.
WORKING AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
The profession of flight instructor can be regarded as a special profession, because you are responsible for training pilots. As described earlier, there are different pilot training courses, so the qualification as a flight instructor can differ. As a flight instructor you not only have to deal with professional pilots, because there are also many hobbyists who want to be able to fly independently. Airplanes and flying simply have a great attraction for people. Think, for example, of passionate aircraft spotters, who are regularly active in taking special photos of aircraft. It is quite conceivable that sooner or later an aircraft spotter also wants to be able to fly independently. There are also plenty of practical examples of artists and directors who have flying as a hobby. A flight instructor does not only have to deal with future airline pilots.
WHAT DOES A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
Those who aspire to a career as a flight instructor can, depending on the certification and qualifications as a flight instructor, choose from various courses, such as the Flight Instructor (FI), the Instrument Rating Instructor (FI for IR) training or the Multi Engine Instructor (MEI) course. Which training applies to the prospective flight instructor depends on the privileges as a pilot. To be able to participate in these training courses, the pilot will generally have to have at least 200 hours of flight experience, of which 150 hours as a PIC (pilot in command). This can differ per course, because not all flight instructor training courses are the same. By following these courses, the pilot will be trained as a certified flight instructor. The flight instructor training consists of theory and practical lessons. The theory and practical lessons also relate to the way of teaching as a flight instructor. Think of the communication with the candidate pilots and teaching from the right seat as a flight instructor. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CAN BE EMPLOYED
As a flight instructor you generally work for a flight school or airline, or the flight instructor is affiliated with an educational institution. In addition, it is conceivable that a flight instructor works as an independent entrepreneur. Where exactly a flight instructor works can differ per flight instructor. For example, a flight instructor may also be responsible for training and upskilling helicopter pilots.
COMPETENCES FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
The most important competence of a flight instructor is that you have experience and all the privileges to be able to give flying lessons. In addition, it is important that you have didactic skills, because you are dealing with students. Teaching as a flight instructor not only relates to flying lessons but also to theory lessons, which are usually given in class by the flight instructor. Good communication skills should not be lacking as a flight instructor. Generally important words are passion, energy, coaching, motivation, insight, sense of responsibility, planning and organizing. Of course, a flight instructor can also have to deal with fixed professional competencies.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
In general, there is sufficient job market perspective as a flight instructor, depending on the certification as an aircraft instructor. However, there is a big difference between sport pilots and professional pilots, so that the labour market perspective as a flight instructor is not entirely unambiguous. The career opportunities as a flight instructor are entirely dependent on the qualifications as a flight instructor.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
The conditions of employment as a flight instructor depend entirely on the company where the flight instructor works. In addition, it is conceivable that a flight instructor also has another job, in addition to giving flying lessons. There are quite a lot of flight instructors who also have another job next to it. There are no examples of salary as a flight instructor, because most flight instructors do not work full-time as flight instructors.
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