The competencies of the aviation instructor: On the other side of the mirror

Imagine, for a moment, that you had the chance to become the best instructor in the world. Not only to teach others, but also to teach yourself: to explain how to be a better pilot, to truly understand the concepts, and to know how to convey them. Would you take that opportunity? If you don’t feel ready to take this step and prefer to remain just another pilot or instructor wandering aimlessly, then don’t buy this book. But if, on the contrary, you aspire to identify yourself as a Pilot and Instructor with capital letters, I encourage you to read it. You won’t regret it. Within its pages, you will discover why pilot competencies are the cornerstone of CRM and TEM, while those of the instructor and evaluator form the foundation of their teaching. Structured in a simple and logical way—based on instructor and evaluator competencies—this book guides the reader through every one of those topics we so often discuss, yet rarely understand in depth. Across its 20 chapters—including those dedicated specifically to resilience, monitoring and intervention, briefing, debriefing, and of course, the competencies of the instructor and evaluator—it addresses all the aspects that facilitate flight management, learning, and teaching, preparing us to face everything that threatens the aircraft. With a total of 162 real and realistic scenarios, it analyzes crew behavior and shows how to improve each situation and problem. Its more than 500 illustrations bring structure to new ideas, perspectives, and answers to those eternal, frustrating questions that silently echo in our minds. And if you still have doubts, you should know that every page aligns with the requirements set by aviation authorities for conducting instructor courses, mastering CBTA (Competency-Based Training and Assessment), completing qualification after a training session, and achieving the long-sought standardization and consistency in evaluations. This content will serve as a solid foundation whenever you face a pilot course—whether as a student or as an instructor.