FI(S) Instructor Coach
Experience shows that an FI(S) will need some training prior to demonstrating their ability to instruct instructors. We will use the term Flight Instructor Coach (FIC) for this role.
SFCL reference
SFCL.315 (a)(7).
The trainee flight instructor coach
The trainee flight instructor coach must hold an SPL and an FI(S) certificate and have a minimum of 50 hours or 150 launches instructing.
The supervising instructor
The FI(S) carrying out the training must hold SFCL.315 (a)(7) privileges.
The aircraft
The aircraft used must hold either a valid ARC or NARC and be assessed as suitable for training. Clubs can contact the BGA re suitability.
Essential theoretical knowledge training seminar
To ensure standardisation, instructor coaching essential theoretical knowledge is delivered via a BGA seminar which should be completed before practical flight training. Suitably qualified FI(S) who wish to add (a)(7) privileges should contact the BGA office by email with their full name and their club name requesting an ‘FIC seminar’. The BGA office will advise on the next available seminar.
Practical flight training and demonstration of ability
Training and assessing the candidate’s ability to instruct trainee instructors can be carried out as a single process. The supervising instructor must be satisfied that the candidate has the skills to effectively train instructors. Use of appropriate briefing techniques and a high standard of flying and instructional competencies must be in evidence throughout. Introduction and recognition of student pilot errors is an important part of instructor training and the candidate needs to be able to demonstrate these errors and how to recognise and correct them in their role as an FIC.
The trainee FI(S) Instructor Coach must receive focussed training on the FI(S) course programme Part 2 exercises and demonstrate their ability to provide relevant instruction consisting of exercises from the FI(S) training course, as selected by the supervising FI(S), and should, in any case, include all of the following:
(a) one launch and one landing exercise
(b) a selection of air exercises; and
(c) one emergency exercise.
The demonstration of ability
The DofA must be completed and recorded by an FI(S) with (a)7 privileges who is nominated by the BGA Head of training; this may be the same person who conducts the training. See ‘Instructors and instructor training’ for the currently nominated individuals.
Completion
An FI(S) additional privilege application form must be submitted to the BGA for subsequent licensing action by the CAA (SFCL.015 refers).
Coaching for additional FI(S) privileges (SFCL.315 refers)
An FI(S) who already holds (a)(7) privileges may wish to coach instructors for additional FI(S) privileges:
(please click below to access helpful information)
(a)(5) Sailplane cloud flying.
(a)(6) TMG night (not currently available).
Please note – in each case, the candidate must hold (a)(7) privileges and also the requisite SPL and FI(S) privilege themselves.