INSTRUCTORPROFESSIONALISM

Setting the ToneSetting the Tone

There is nothing in aviation that demands that students must suffer as part of their instruction.

– Aviation Instructor’s Handbook

— We must not further complicate the learning experience by being unprofessional

According to NTSB, there have been a

disturbing number of individual incidents of

noncompliant behavior, intentional

misconduct, or lack of commitment to

essential tasks.

NTSB Top Ten ListNTSB Top Ten List

These occurrences demonstrate an erosion of

pilot and air traffic controller professionalism.

NTSB Top Ten ListNTSB Top Ten List

DiscussionDiscussion

Professionalism is not something we can regulate, but it is something we can ... urge pilots and flight crews to aspire to.

– 2010 US/Europe International Aviation Safety Conference, FAA’s Greg Kirkland, June 9, 2010

— What does “professionalism” mean to you?

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From East Carolina Univ, The Brody School of Medicine,Office of Medical Education & Student Development

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— How do these “behaviors of professionalism” apply to CFIs and DPEs?

— What other parallels exist between the medical & aviation training professions?

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Law of Primacy: the first experience of something often creates a strong, almost unshakable impression.

— What does this law of learning mean, and how significant is it in our interactions w/ students?

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— What techniques do you use to advance students through the various levels of learning?

— How do you reconcile “minimum standards” with a professional duty to train to the Correlation level?

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— What techniques do you use to minimize student frustration?

Successful professionals understand that the price of excellence is hard work and thorough preparation.

– Aviation Instructor’s Handbook

— How do you plan your lessons, and do you use a written syllabus?

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Example of Resources Available to Instructors

Pilot Training Reform Symposium Outputwww.PilotTrainingReform.org

Successful professionals understand that the price of excellence is hard work and thorough preparation.

– Aviation Instructor’s Handbook

— What do you do as part of your own continuing education strategy?

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Continuing education can take many forms…

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…including striving for advanced accreditation/recognition

Generally, students consider their instructor to be a role model whose habits they attempt to imitate, whether consciously or unconsciously. – Aviation Instructor’s Handbook

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— What are your thoughts on voluntary codes of conduct for instructors and DPEs?

The FIMCC is a free public service designed to enhance instructor safety and professionalism. It offers a vision of excellence to help instructors build professional relationships with their students.

Family of Model Codes of Conductwww.SecureAv.com

DiscussionDiscussion

— As a role model, which of these do you personally have to be mindful of, and what’s your antidote?

Hazardous Attitudes•Anti-authority (Don’t tell me)•Impulsivity (Do it quickly)•Invulnerability (It won’t happen to me)•Macho (I can do it)•Resignation (What’s the use)

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Personal habits have a significant effect on the professional image. The exercise of common courtesy is perhaps the most important of these. – Aviation Instructor’s Handbook

— What are your thoughts about these statements, and what specific “courtesy tips” do you pass on to your students?

You never know on which flight your career will be judged. – Professionalism in Aviation,Robert L. Sumwalt, NTSB Board member,March 30, 2011

ReviewReview

• Erosion of Professionalism (NTSB Top Ten)Erosion of Professionalism (NTSB Top Ten)• Definitions / Behaviors of ProfessionalismDefinitions / Behaviors of Professionalism• Law of Primacy / Levels of LearningLaw of Primacy / Levels of Learning• Minimizing Student FrustrationMinimizing Student Frustration• Hard Work + Preparation Hard Work + Preparation Excellence Excellence

SummarySummary

During this forum, we discussed:During this forum, we discussed:

• Importance of Continuing EducationImportance of Continuing Education• Our Responsibilities as Role ModelsOur Responsibilities as Role Models

• Codes of ConductCodes of Conduct• Hazardous AttitudesHazardous Attitudes• Exercising Common CourtesyExercising Common Courtesy

• Instructor Do’sInstructor Do’s

SummarySummary

During this forum, we discussed:During this forum, we discussed:

This presentation would not have been possible without the generous help and

support of the following:

Your Forum Facilitator

FAA Safety Teamwww.FAASafety.gov

SAFEwww.SafePilots.org

Rich Stowell, MCFI-Awww.RichStowell.com

Doug Stewart, MCFIwww.DSFlight.com

Created August 2012