Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course prepares the student to pass the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane or Helicopter written test, and the oral portion of the FAA practical test. It covers the aeronautical knowledge areas for the instrument rating applicable to the category for which instrument flight instructor privileges are sought, as required by FAR 61.185(a)(3). This course does not cover fundamentals of instructing; it is recommended that students  hold either a CFI or AGI certificate prior to enrolling in this course.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Qualify to take the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane or Helicopter written test.
• Plan and teach lessons covering instrument pilot knowledge areas.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will explain the methods used to evaluate and record student progress, and the criteria for assigning a course grade. Evaluation methods may include one or more of the following: Tests and quizzes, attendance, presentations, class assignments, and class projects.

Lesson planning, presentation and instruction for the areas required by FAR Part 61.65(b) are included:

(1) Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that apply to flight operations under IFR;

(2) Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in the “Aeronautical Information Manual;”

(3) Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations;

(4) IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems;

(5) Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts;

(6) Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts and the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information and personal observation of weather conditions;

(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions;

(8) Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance;

(9) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(10) Crew resource management, including crew communication and coordination.