Who is a flying instructor and what do they do? The flying instructor trains new pilots and other members of an aircraft crew – flight engineers, navigators, radio operators, who have completed specialised higher schools and are appointed to a corresponding position in an aircraft company, air detachment or in an unit of civil or state aviation.
What are the activities of the flying instructor? – Giving tuition, practical training and testing of the aircrew – development and delivery of the training – assessment of the level of flying skills.
Where is it done and under what conditions? In the aircraft cabins, training centres, classrooms and halls set aside for preflight instruction. During flight there are loud noises, vibrations, and various pressures on the body due to rapid acceleration or deceleration, sometimes quite considerable. Flights are carried out at any time of the day and no matter what the season, as well as in bad weather.
What tools/equipment do they use? Special training aircraft with dual flying control systems and a place for the trainee, special ground-based training devices – simulators etc, devices for communication with the trainee during flight, different kinds of documentation – instructions, manuals etc. For flights, working clothes are used.
What do you need to succeed? You need a course for instructors after completion of higher education, with specialisation in “Aviation techniques and technologies” and in the operation of aircraft. Good physical and mental state, quickness and precision of sensory and motor reactions, coordination of movements, ability to concentrate, distribution and rapid switching of attention, ability to make quick and independent decisions in problem and critical situations, stress resistance, ability to combine and make sense rapidly of different data, quickness of mind and versatility, self-discipline, team work skills, and good communication skills are all important.