Outline:

1. Defining the Training Framework

   1. Course of Training: A structured sequence of classes/events that culminate in an award or certification​How to make and use pre….

   2. Syllabus: Acts as a roadmap for the course or training segment​How to make and use pre….

   3. Lesson Plan: A detailed outline for an individual instructional period​How to make and use pre….

2. Limitations of Checkride Lesson Plans

   1. Too Lengthy: Typical checkride lesson plans are too comprehensive for daily training use​How to make and use pre….

   2. Assumes Prior Knowledge: They assume the student has not completed ground school or online learning​How to make and use pre….

   3. Demonstration Tool: These plans are designed more to prove the instructor can teach, not necessarily to optimize actual learning progression​How to make and use pre….

3. Structure of a Practical Flight Lesson

   The ASA syllabus (Pages 10–15) outlines a balanced session:

   1. Ground Instruction: 3 hours including preflight briefings

   2. Flight Instruction: 2.5 hours including walkaround and maneuvers

   3. Preflight Briefing: 0.7 hours

   4. Weather & Risk Management Review: 0.3 hours

   5. Post-Flight Briefing & Grading: 0.3 hours​How to make and use pre…

4. Briefing Methodology

   1. Standard Lesson Plan for Each Maneuver: Time-consuming if used rigidly​How to make and use pre….

   2. Air Force Style Briefings: Focus on What and How, omitting Why. These are brief, focused, and suitable for daily operations​How to make and use pre….

5. The 3-Tiered Approach to Lesson Planning

   1. Version 1 – Checkride Lesson Plan:

      • Detailed and complete.

      • Up to 20 minutes​How to make and use pre….

   2. Version 2 – 141-Style Brief (Air Force Style):

      • Condensed.

      • Takes 5–10 minutes​How to make and use pre….

   3. Version 3 – Stage Check/Flight Review Brief:

      • Quick summary of the flight with standards and expectations.

      • Duration: A few minutes​How to make and use pre….

6. Teach Brief-Fly System

   1. Introduced as a visual guide-based method using diagram-based preflight briefings.

   2. Each maneuver includes objectives, procedures, and performance standards (Page 21–22)​How to make and use pre….

7. CFI Bootcamp Support Materials

   1. CFI ACS Smart Study Pro: A comprehensive product covering every knowledge and risk management element of the CFI oral exam. Includes audio, video, and PDFs​How to make and use pre….

   2. Online Course Access: 42-hour self-paced course plus in-person/remote training options​How to make and use pre….

1. The Savvy Flight Instructor: “Scoring a CFI position, and lining up your first students.” ©2025 Greg Brown

   1. Aviation Author, Podcaster & Photographer

   2. 2000 National Flight Instructor of the Year 2013 AOPA Let's Go Flying Award

   3. 1999 NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award First-ever Master CFI

   4. 20-year Columnist, AOPA Flight Training magazine

2. Job Hunting for Pilots

   1. Does the Most Experienced Pilot Always Get the Job? NO. It’s about what you know, AND who you know!

3. Lining up Students

   1. Must-have Marketing Tools

      1. Website (your “brochure”)

      2. Goal: to attract prospects to the airport

      3. Active Social Media Presence

      4. Photo Business Cards

      5. Include web site & social media addresses & QR code(s) on back.

   2. Sell flying!

   3. Support your networking via:

      1. Photo business cards

      2. Promo hats and clothing

      3. Offer “Learn to Fly” talks to community organization

      4. Booths at civic events

      5. Teach Ground School

   4. Intro Flights

      1. Offer “intro lessons” vs. intro flights

      2. Sell prospects based on how they plan to use flying

      3. Deliver each intro flight as if to your best friend

      4. Talk “pilots,” not “students” (benefits over process)

      5. Customers must feel a bit of mastery: “I can do this!

      6. “I’ll be wasting today’s lesson if I don’t continue.”

      7. Schedule the next lesson before they leave!

   5. “Willing, Able, & Ready” Intro Lesson Checklist, by Manny Peralta

      1. WILLING – “Tell me about your interest in flying.” Built model aircraft, flew with mum or watched planes as a kid? Less than 2 years of interest suggests they’re far less likely to fly.

      2. ABLE – “Will finances allow you to fly consistently if you start lessons now?”

      3. READY – “Can I book your next lesson for later today or next Saturday?”

   6. Toughest question: “What does it cost?”

      1. Sell value vs. pricing.

      2. Lay out FAA mins vs. detailed actual cost*

      3. Emphasize client control of training costs.

      4. Differentiate rental aircraft & instructor rates.

      5. Make $ outside the cockpit!

      6. Don’t be afraid of the bottom line!

   7. Compare Flight Training Cost and Value to other activities

      1. Second car, $12-15,000

      2. Kitchen remodel, $12-20,000+

      3. Luxury cruise or tour for 2, $10-20,000

      4. New motorcycle, $18,000

      5. Boats, Golf club memberships, Timeshares

      6. Lifetime piloting adventures, $10-12,000

   8. Keeping Your Students Aloft

      1. Empower your students to be PIC

      2. Client Retention: Biggest Challenge & Opportunity

      3. The Syllabus: our most Under-utilized Tool

      4. CFIs must graphically show progress every lesson

      5. Recognize Client Achievements

      6. Help Your Customers Sell Flying

      7. The all-powerful Pep Talk!

      8. Establish customer-success policies

      9. Enhance client skills and satisfaction via optional "merit badge" lessons

      10. Never forget why we’re all doing this. For fun!

          
          

          Download The Savvy Flight Instructor 2nd Edition e-book via ASA, RedShelf, Amazon Kindle, Apple iBook.

          GregBrownFlyingCarpet.com

          @GregBrownFlyingCarpet

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• Bootcamp+ membership site - All power hours, tribal knowledge videos, and more.

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• Custom Training Products - Lesson Plans, Flow charts, FOI Roadmaps, etc. 

• Bootcamp+ membership site - All power hours, tribal knowledge videos, and more.

• Remote ground instruction - Send email to mike@cfibootcamp.com 

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