LESSON PLANS

Capt. Dimitrios Sipsas, as an EASA Examiner (TRE), wrote an article concerning: “Purpose of the Lesson Plans Utilized By the Instructors” on CAT (Civil Aviation Training) Magazine on June 2019.

Lesson Plans are designed to assure that each trainee receives the best possible instruction under the existing conditions.

Lesson plans help instructors keep a constant check on their own activity, as well as that of their trainees. The development of lesson plans by instructors signifies, in effect, that they have taught the lessons to themselves prior to attempting to teach the lessons to trainees.

An adequate lesson plan, when properly used, should:

  • Assure a wise selection of material and the elimination of unimportant details.Make certain that due consideration is given to each part of the lesson.
  • Aid the instructor in presenting the material in a suitable sequence for efficient learning.
  • Provide an outline of the teaching procedure to be used.
  • Serve as a means of relating the lesson to the objectives of the course of training.
  • Give the inexperienced instructor confidence.
  • Promote uniformity of instruction regardless of the instructor or the date on which the lesson is given.

The following are some of the important characteristics that should be reflected in all well – planned lessons:

  • Unity – Each lesson should be a unified segment of instruction.
  • Content – Each lesson should contain new material.
  • Scope – Each lesson should be reasonable in scope.
  • Practicality – Each lesson should be planned in terms of the conditions under which the training is to be conducted. Lesson plans conducted in an airplane or in the simulator (FFS) will differ from those conducted in a classroom.
  • Flexibility – Although the lesson plan provides an outline and sequence for the training to be conducted, a degree of flexibilitys hould be incorporated.
  • Relation to Course of Training – Each lesson should be planned and taught so that its relation to the course objectives are clear to each trainee.
  • Instructional Steps – Each lesson, when adequately developed, falls logically into the four(4) steps of the teaching process:
    Preparation, Presentation, Application, Review and Evaluation.

    After a lesson plan has been prepared for a training period, a continuous revision may be necessary. The instructor should study each step of the lesson plan and should be thoroughly familiar with as much information related to the subject as possible.

    So after all the above, all instructors should recognize that, lesson plans are very important for Ground and Flight Training.

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Capt. Dimitrios Sipsas, as an EASA Examiner (T.R.E), wrote an article concerning “Flight Instructor Responsibilities” on “Aviation Week & Space Technology” Magazine on April 2018.

The Flight Instructor is the central figure in pilot training and is responsible for all required training.The instructor must be fully qualified as an aviation professional, however, the instructor’s ability must go far beyond this if the requirements of professionalism are to be met.

Although the word” professionalism” is widely used, it is rarely defined. Though not all inclusive, the following list gives some major considerations and qualifications that should be included in the definition of professionalism.

  • Professionalism exists only when a service is performed for someone, or for the common good.
  • Professionalism is achieved only after extended training and preparation.
  • True performance as a professional is based on study and research.
  • Professionals must be able to reason logically and accurately
  • Professionalism requires the ability to make good judgmental decisions
  • Professionals must be true to themselves and to those they serve.

All Instructors should carefully consider this list. Failing to meet these qualities may result in poor performance by the instructor and the trainees.

Preparation and performance as an instructor with these qualities constantly in mind will command recognition as a professional in aviation instruction.

All instructors must insure their trainees safety as well as the safety of the general public. Flight Safety and Accident Prevention is the Most Important in Aviation.

Successful Decision Making

Capt. Dimitrios Sipsas as an EASA Examiner (T.R.E) on February 2017, wrote an article on “CAT Magazine”, The Journal For Civil Aviation Training

The development of good decision making skills is far more difficult than developing good flying skills, but it can be done. Good judgment may mean not flying while under the influence of any medication, when it is too windy, or refusing a revenue flight when it would require flying in marginal weather.

Many pilots fail to make proper decisions; sometimes due to a lack of knowledge, but too often the result of a human tendency to rationalize a situation until it appears justifiable. When a pilot really wants to do something (such as loading that one last passenger when close to maximum gross weight, or performing a high speed, low altitude pass), the pilot can generally make himself / herself believe that it was all right to do it. A pilot can be his/her own worst enemy.

In addition to the Civil Aviation Regulations, articles in magazines, books written by expert pilots and instructors, Pilot Proficiency programs, there are some do’s and do not’s that can ensure the prevention of most accidents. All of this information is safety oriented. Not following this safety oriented information is similar to not following the advice of a Doctor or Lawyer.

The most important decision a pilot will make is to learn and adhere to published rules, procedures, and recommendations. Pilots, by learning and adhering to these published rules and procedures, can take most hazards out of flying. When a pilot operates an aircraft, human lives are held in the balance. Therefore, a pilot has a moral responsibility to operate in the safest possible manner.

Aviation has reached a new plateau. Acquiring aeronautical knowledge, airmanship skills, and proficiency are relatively easy. Navigation has been reduced to calculator simplicity. Modern autopilots and electronic displays have significantly reduced a pilot’s workload. Today’s technology requires administrative management and aeronautical decision making skills as prerequisites for Safety and Efficiency.

Aviation instructors should be deeply involved with accident prevention and judgment training. Experience has shown that most accidents are the result of a chain of events. These events can be a mistake, but can also be a simple oversight, lack of awareness, or lack of a sense of urgency. The study of human factors in accidents is being taught throughout the aviation industry in an effort to understand why accidents occur and how training can prevent them. Human factors training also addresses the development of good judgment through the study of how and why people react to internal and external influences.

Flight instructors must incorporate aeronautical decision making (ADM) and judgment training into their instruction. This is a systematic approach to risk assessment and stress management in aviation. It shows how personal attitudes can influence decision making and how those attitudes can be modified to enhance safety in the cockpit.

So, Lets remember that : “Successful Decision Making is measured by a pilot’s consistent ability to keep himself/herself, any passengers, and the aircraft in good condition regardless of the conditions of any given flight”.

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS BY USE OF CHECKLISTS

Capt. Dimitrios Sipsas as an EASA Examiner (TRE) on MAY 2015 wrote an article on “Flight International” Magazine

The importance of consistent use of the checklist cannot be overstated in pilot training. A major objective in primary flight training is to establish habit patterns that will serve
pilots well throughout their entire flying career. Checklists provide a logical and standardized method to operate a particular make and model airplane. Following a checklist reinforces
the use of proper procedures throughout all major phases of flight operations. For normal operations these phases include:

  • PreFlight Inspection
  • Before Engine Starting
  • Use of External Power
  • Engine Starting
  • Before Taxiing
  • Before Takeoff
  • Climb
  • Cruise
  • Descent
  • Before Landing
  • Balked Landing
  • After Landing
  • Shutdown
  • Postflight / ELT Check

Additional procedures are provided for abnormal and emergency operations, as appropriate to the airplane. Supplemental information, such as performance data or optional equipment operation, may also be contained in the checklist.
Some general aviation airplanes have checklists for certain phases of flight on panel-mounted placards or printed on sun visors. Regardless of the format, the checklist should be an
integral part of the pilots’s operation of the airplane.
There are two primary methods of checklist usage, “read and do” and “do and verify”
The read and do method is when the pilot picks up a checklist, refers to an item, and sets the condition.
The items for any particular phase of flight would all be accomplished before the checklist is set aside.

Another acceptable method is to set the condition of the items for a particular phase of operation from memory or flow pattern. Then the checklist is picked up and read to verify that
the appropriate condition for each item in that phase has been set. It is not wise for a pilot to become so reliant upon a flow pattern that he or she fails to verify with a checklist.
Checking important items solely from memory is not an acceptable substitute for checklists.

After all the above, we realized how important is the use of Checklists in order to prevent Accidents and Incidents.

STRESS AND FLYING

Capt. Dimitrios Sipsas, wrote an Article concerning, stress and flying issue very important to all pilots which was published on “Aviation Week & Space Technology” magazine on March 2014.

What is Stress;

Stress is a term used to describe the body’s nonspecific response to demands placed on it, whether these demands are pleasant or unpleasant in nature. The demands on a pilot can range from unexpected windshear encountered on a landing to a lost wallet. Piloting the aircraft is the pilot’s responsibility.Therefore, a healthy pilot should perform at his / her optimum level and make decisions to the best of his / her ability. Numerous physical and physiological conditions in a pilot’s personal and professional life, as well as the nature of flight itself, can hamper this ability. Even though a pilot holds a medical certificate stating that the pilot meets the health requirements for a particular type of flight operation, the decision whether the pilot is fit to fly is strictly the pilot’s.

Is Stress Bad?

Stress is a response to a set of circumstances that induces a change in a pilot’s current physiological and / or psychological patterns of functioning forcing the pilot to adapt to these changes. Stress is an inevitable and necessary part of life that adds motivation to life and heightens a pilot’s response to meet any challenge. In fact, performance of a task will generally improve with the onset of stress, but will peak and then begin to degrade rapidly as stress levels exceed a pilot’s adaptive abilities to handle the situation.

Cockpit Stress Management

Good cockpit stress management begins with good life stress management . Many of the stress coping techniques practiced for life stress management are not usually practical in flight. Rather, you must condition yourself to relax and think rationally when stress appears. The following checklist outlines some thoughts on cockpit stress management.

  • Avoid situations that distract you from flying the aircraft.
  • Reduce your workload to reduce stress levels. This will create a proper environment in which to make good decisions.
  • Maintain proficiency in your aircraft , proficiency builds confidence. Familiarize yourself thoroughly with your aircraft,its systems and emergency procedures. If an emergency does occur, be calm . Think for a moment , weigh the alternatives then act.

Life Stress Management & Suggestions to Avoid Sress.

There are many techniques available that can help reduce the stress in your life or help you cope with it better. Not all of the following ideas may be the solution, but some of them should be effective for you.

  • Become Knowledgeable about stress.
  • Take a realistic assessment of yourself.
  • Take a systematic approach to problem solving.
  • Develop a life style that will buffer against the effects of stress.
  • Practice behavioral management techniques.
  • Establish and maintain a strong support network.

After all it is essential to begin by making a personal assessment of stress in all areas of your life.