The Initial Flying Instructor course is designed to train the candidate to the level of proficiency required for issue of a Flying Instructor (Virtual) rating with Single Engine Piston privileges.
The course is designed to give training to the applicant in theoretical knowledge instruction and in-flight instruction in order to instruct on single engine piston aircraft and the Initial Flying Training Course.
Pre-entry Requirements
In order to be accepted on to the IFI course, the candidate must:
- Hold VATSIM P2 and P3 ratings
- Meet the general staff requirements outlined in OM-D (General)
- Have completed the Initial Instructor Training Course
The aim is for candidates to:
- Learn how to use JoinFS as an instructor
- Develop the instructional skills acquired during the Initial Instructor Training course
- Learn to train and assess pilots using the BAVirtual Pilot Competencies
- Gain familiarity with the Initial Flying Training Course exercises
- Learn to assess when a trainee has achieved the General Skills Test (GST) standard
- Reach a satisfactory standard for a final Assessment of Competence
- Achieve FI(V) certification
During the course the Trainee Instructor will:
- Operate shared cockpit software (YourControls, SmartCopilot, JoinFS...) and VATSIM vPilot/xPilot as an instructor
- Develop his/her instructional technique
- Give briefings on Initial Flying Training Course details
- Demonstrate aircraft handling and instructional patter
- Identify and correct errors
- Give and receive feedback and tutoring
The Initial Instructor Training Course is designed to train and assess the trainee in the core skills, knowledge and competencies required for all BAVirtual Instructors.
The course is generic for all fleets and must be completed by all newly appointed BAVirtual Initial Flying Instructors, Advanced Flying Instructors and Type Rating Instructors.
A BAVirtual Instructor who wishes to extend their instructional privileges to a different type is not required to complete a further Initial Instructor Training course.
The objective of the course is to provide the Trainee Instructor with a foundation in training and learning theory and practice, together with an awareness of the skills, knowledge and attitude required of an instructor.
These skills and competencies include but are not limited to:
- Creating a climate conducive to learning
- Identifying and responding to trainees’ needs
- Presenting and transferring knowledge
- Facilitating understanding
- Demonstration
- Identification, evaluation and correction of errors
- Giving feedback
- Relevance of effective and pre-emptive briefings
- Assessing trainee performance
- Writing accurate and objective reports
- Managing time to achieve training objectives
The course consists of a combination of online modules delivered via the Moodle Learning Academy.
This course is designed for all pilots who are either currently or considering flying on the VATSIM network.
Successful candidates will leave the course with an understanding of how to set up and install the essential software required to fly on the VATSIM network, as well us understanding the rules and regulations in force and the history of the network.
The course also introduces the basic concepts of navigation, flightplanning and aviation meteorology.
Note: due to changes in the VATSIM Pilot Rating
The BAVirtual Initial Flying Training course is an elementary flying course designed to bring a student from zero flying experience to proficiency in basic visual flying and manual handling techniques in preparation for multi-engine and instrument training. Subjects covered will include:
- Principles and Theory of Flight
- Aviation Meteorology
- General handling
- Visual departure and arrival procedures
- VFR flight planning and navigation
- Emergency procedures
The course is split between theory modules and practical flying lessons, carried out under the tuition of a BAVirtual instructor via shared cockpit software.
Supported simulators:
- Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS 2020) - Deluxe or Premium Deluxe version
The course meets all requirements for issue of the VATSIM P1 rating.
Course Duration & Commitment
The length of time taken to complete the course will depend to a certain extent on each individual's availability, the number of lessons undertaken per week and rate of progress.
There are fifteen air exercises and a minimum of one dual and three dual or solo navigation exercises to be completed during the course. Each lesson normally takes around 1hr 30 minutes, allowing for a short pre-flight briefing of around 10-15 minutes, around 40-60 minutes of dual flying and a short debrief of 10-15 minutes.
It is possible to complete the course with a minimum of about 12 hours of dual instruction, but 15-20 hours is more typical.
Candidates are expected to be prepared to commit to a minimum of one lesson per week, though allowances are made for normal leave/holidays etc.
Minimum Equipment List
- Joystick with twist rudder (or equivalent e.g. yoke/pedals)
- Please note that the course focuses on VFR navigation and thus we strongly recommend Orbx PilotPlus EGTB VFR scenery to enable successful identification of ground features.