The Flight Instructor's Survival Guide: true, witty, insightful stories illustrating the fundamentals of instructing

by Arlynn McMahon, Rod Machado (Foreword)

After passing the FAA’s Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test required of all instructors, the true challenge begins―applying that knowledge in the real world of teaching flight. Follow along as Arlynn McMahon lifts the FOI principles from the classroom and brings them into the cockpit. Her forty-four stories demonstrate the FOI principles in flight and offer practical strategies for dealing with both common and unexpected situations―all with wisdom, grace, and humor. McMahon’s companion to the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9) uses memorable parables and provides sage advice to illustrate FOI principles at work with real clients in real-life situations. Psychology, human factors, professionalism, effective communication, customer service, and ethics are evident in her teaching style with the people she’s interacted with over decades in the business of flight training. McMahon’s experiences illustrate what works―and why―for instructors and their students. Through artful storytelling, McMahon shows how a successful instructor is sometimes a psychologist, other times a detective, and always a gatekeeper enforcing rules and cultivating the behaviors required to be a responsible aviation citizen. Delightful, full of wisdom―and written with humor, kindness, and dignity for her students―this is an invaluable guide for all flight and ground instructors who will benefit from using McMahon’s insights with their own clients.

Genres: Aviation

195 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Nez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for new flight instructors.
My only criticism is that the author needs to come in to the 21st Century as she has some very outdated and stereotypical views about men, women and people from countries other than the USA.

[John Sperling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through stories based on personal experience, the author puts the reader into the shoes of a professional flight instructor and shares the social challenges of her profession. Through stories of students who range from belligerent, fearful, psychotic, shy, bored, experienced, resigned, shady, adventurous, rusty, with disabilities, excessively profane, lazy, professional, rebellious, airsick, distracted, hazardous to themselves and others, sleep-deprived, indecisive, and ambitious, she teaches readers things that help new and experienced CFIs (certified flight instructors) overcome barriers to communication, relate to students in ways that matter, maintain honesty and integrity, plan instructional activities, expand teaching techniques, develop decision making and risk management skills, and instill professionalism, while adhering to the FOIs (fundamentals of instruction) in the Aviation Instructor's Handbook. Though written for CFIs, these methods are applicable to teachers in many professions.

[Austin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was amazing. It was so readings with incredible stories that illustrated the FOI principles. Arlynn’s experience and knowledge are extensive. This makes the FOI come alive. Also, it gave me so much to think about in terms how I will offer instruction as a CFI.