Digging into the New Regulation Regarding Qualifications to Teach “First-time” CFI Applicants - Most of Us Missed Something Here.

On December 1, 2024, the FARs relating to qualifications to train “first-time” instructor applicants took effect.  The FAR is 61.195(h.)  Many CFIs and flight schools are not applying this new rule change correctly.

The error is in reading the different qualifications required for giving the Ground Instruction and the Flight Instruction.  They are not the same, and that is where the problem occurs.  CFIs and flight schools are beginning to allow CFIs that have recommended at least 5 applicants for a practical test and at least 80% of those passed on the first attempt.  This is partially true.  It is true that this CFI can do the flight training for “first-time” CFI applicants, but not the Ground Instruction.

The FAA defines Ground Training and Flight Training in 61.1.  When you read the regulation for the qualifications to train “first-time” CFI applicants, the regulation is clear that there are two different qualifications required.

For giving the Ground Training for “first-time” CFI applicants, an instructor needs to have done one of the following:

Hold an Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) Certificate or Flight Instructor Certificate for at least 2 calendar years, and have given at least 40 hours of ground instruction.

Or

Have taught at least 100 hours of ground instruction in an FAA-approved course (141, or 142.)  This method of meeting the qualification doesn’t require the person to have held the certificate for any length of time.

So, be sure that you meet the above when giving ground instruction to a “first-time” CFI applicant.

Coming Soon - A Complete ACS Course When You Are On the Go! - All of the ACS’s FOI, technical subject areas, and Preflight Preparation are in video and audio formats.

We are working hard to complete an audio and video narration of what needs to be understood under each knowledge section (for single-engine land) in the airman certification standards.  (ACS).

We have audio and video that can be listened to in your car, at the gym, or other places where you cannot watch a video.  The video is there if you want to see it but the course is designed to be an audio presentation.  Each task of all of the areas of operation of the Fundamentals of Instructing, Technical Subject Areas, and Preflight Preparation has audio and video that goes through each point in the ACS’s Knowledge, Risk Management, and Skills areas.  In addition, there is a PDF of relevant images and mnemonics, when appropriate, and a 10-question quiz.  This can be viewed during the presentation or afterward to reinforce what was heard.

This is perfect when driving to or from the airport, in particular before or after a lesson on the same material.  You are sure to learn a lot from these recordings and PDFs.

This project was started on December 15th and is expected to be completed in Late January 2025.  It will be offered at a discount to our newsletter and Power Hour subscribers.  The January 2025 newsletter should contain either an update, if the project is running late, or a way to get it at a reduced price.

FAA delays new Medical Denial Rule for at least two months

The FAA has delayed a new policy that was to go into effect on Jan 1, 2025, which has to do with medical applications.

The new policy would “Deny” instead of “Defer” any medical application with incomplete information on it.

AOPA and other groups strongly disagreed with this new policy change and cited that the FAA may have not considered the ramifications of a denial vs deferral to using BasicMed and some employment screening checks.

If the medical is denied, a pilot cannot use BasicMed as a substitute.  During an employment screening check, the denied medical would be discovered and many companies would not know that it was due to an error on the application and not an actual medical deficiency.

AOPA and other groups are actively working with the FAA to construct a different policy that doesn’t have the same ramifications.

More will come as we get more information.

FSANA Conference is One of the First Flight Training Conferences in 2025 - Orlando, FL

The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) will hold its annual conference on February 5-7 at the Dolphin Hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL (Orlando Area.)

The organization is focused on the business of flight training and represents flight schools.  The conference will include officials from the FAA, NTSB, and other organizations that are involved with flight training.  There are Keynote speakers, panels, presentations, and more.

Admission is not free.  It does cost a bit to attend.  Offsetting the admission price, you will get two lunches and a dinner as part of the ticket price.  There are also 2 receptions and Coffee breaks during the event are also included.

The official hotel for the event is the Dolphin Hotel.  Our latest word is that the February 4 date is sold out but the other dates are available.  They are working to get some additional rooms.  If you want to attend this conference, I wouldn’t wait on booking as it will sell out again.

More information regarding the conference is here.

ProTips

1. ForeFlight Performance Plus for Teaching.

If you haven’t yet upgraded to the Performance Plus ForeFlight subscription and you are a flight instructor, you should.  Teaching from ForeFlight is something we show you how to do at CFI Bootcamp.  Without the Performance Plus Subscription, you don’t have 3-D view and 3-D routes; you don’t have animations of the wind, the surface analysis chart for the world, Cloud tops/bases, Icing and Turbulence in Profile view, and more.  These features really add interest to your learners and provide a way to quickly assess risk using the profile view to help teach risk management.  Profile view also shows airspace and terrain along with cloud tops and bases making teaching airspace, cross-country planning, and risk management.  3D routes allow you to fly the intended route at up to 20X speed.  You can also use 3D view of an airport, turn on Traffic, and see ADS-B traffic around an airport, allowing you to make a decision about pattern work, airwork, and so on.  If you join SAFE, Safepilots.org for $55, you get ⅓ off of the subscription.

2. Projecting to a SmartTV

If you are still using a whiteboard and books, you might want to spice up the learner’s experience.  Projecting your iPad to a smart TV is easy.  Many flight schools are installing smart TVs to allow for this.  Here are the step-by-step instructions to do it:

2. Make sure that your iPad and the SmartTV are on the same Wifi.  On the iPad, you can go to settings and then Wi-Fi to see what your device is connected to.  You can change it to match the SmartTV.

3. Swipe down from the top right of your iPad.  That will open up your control panel.

4. Find the icon that looks like two monitors and press it.

5. Find your SmartTV name and select it. 

6. Your iPad screen will now be displayed, “mirrored,” on the SmartTV

7. If you don’t see your SmartTV name, use the TV remote to change the Wifi to the same as the one your iPad is connected to.

8. How to set up and run a PowerPoint presentation on Zoom.

To properly show a PowerPoint presentation while using Zoom do the following:

3. Load your presentation and select “Slideshow” on the ribbon or on the menu.

4. Select the “Set up Slide Show” option.

5. Choose “Browsed by an Individual (Window).

6. Choose “Play from Start”

7. On your Zoom controls press “Share”.

8. Locate your presentation on the Zoom box that opens and select it.

9. Press share on the Zoom box.

10. Verify that there is a green box around your presentation; this is what will be shared.  If not go back to Share on Zoom and select your presentation.