
Nail Your First CFI Job & Deliver Killer Preflight Briefings Like a Pro
Outline:
Defining the Training Framework
Course of Training: A structured sequence of classes/events that culminate in an award or certificationHow to make and use pre….
Syllabus: Acts as a roadmap for the course or training segmentHow to make and use pre….
Lesson Plan: A detailed outline for an individual instructional periodHow to make and use pre….
Limitations of Checkride Lesson Plans
Too Lengthy: Typical checkride lesson plans are too comprehensive for daily training useHow to make and use pre….
Assumes Prior Knowledge: They assume the student has not completed ground school or online learningHow to make and use pre….
Demonstration Tool: These plans are designed more to prove the instructor can teach, not necessarily to optimize actual learning progressionHow to make and use pre….
Structure of a Practical Flight Lesson
The ASA syllabus (Pages 10–15) outlines a balanced session:
Ground Instruction: 3 hours including preflight briefings
Flight Instruction: 2.5 hours including walkaround and maneuvers
Preflight Briefing: 0.7 hours
Weather & Risk Management Review: 0.3 hours
Post-Flight Briefing & Grading: 0.3 hoursHow to make and use pre…
Briefing Methodology
Standard Lesson Plan for Each Maneuver: Time-consuming if used rigidlyHow to make and use pre….
Air Force Style Briefings: Focus on What and How, omitting Why. These are brief, focused, and suitable for daily operationsHow to make and use pre….
The 3-Tiered Approach to Lesson Planning
Version 1 – Checkride Lesson Plan:
Detailed and complete.
Up to 20 minutesHow to make and use pre….
Version 2 – 141-Style Brief (Air Force Style):
Condensed.
Takes 5–10 minutesHow to make and use pre….
Version 3 – Stage Check/Flight Review Brief:
Quick summary of the flight with standards and expectations.
Duration: A few minutesHow to make and use pre….
Teach Brief-Fly System
Introduced as a visual guide-based method using diagram-based preflight briefings.
Each maneuver includes objectives, procedures, and performance standards (Page 21–22)How to make and use pre….
CFI Bootcamp Support Materials
CFI ACS Smart Study Pro: A comprehensive product covering every knowledge and risk management element of the CFI oral exam. Includes audio, video, and PDFsHow to make and use pre….
Online Course Access: 42-hour self-paced course plus in-person/remote training optionsHow to make and use pre….
The Savvy Flight Instructor: “Scoring a CFI position, and lining up your first students.” ©2025 Greg Brown
Aviation Author, Podcaster & Photographer
2000 National Flight Instructor of the Year 2013 AOPA Let's Go Flying Award
1999 NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award First-ever Master CFI
20-year Columnist, AOPA Flight Training magazine
Job Hunting for Pilots
Does the Most Experienced Pilot Always Get the Job? NO. It’s about what you know, AND who you know!
Lining up Students
Must-have Marketing Tools
Website (your “brochure”)
Goal: to attract prospects to the airport
Active Social Media Presence
Photo Business Cards
Include web site & social media addresses & QR code(s) on back.
Sell flying!
Support your networking via:
Photo business cards
Promo hats and clothing
Offer “Learn to Fly” talks to community organization
Booths at civic events
Teach Ground School
Intro Flights
Offer “intro lessons” vs. intro flights
Sell prospects based on how they plan to use flying
Deliver each intro flight as if to your best friend
Talk “pilots,” not “students” (benefits over process)
Customers must feel a bit of mastery: “I can do this!
“I’ll be wasting today’s lesson if I don’t continue.”
Schedule the next lesson before they leave!
“Willing, Able, & Ready” Intro Lesson Checklist, by Manny Peralta
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.
ABLE – “Will finances allow you to fly consistently if you start lessons now?”
READY – “Can I book your next lesson for later today or next Saturday?”
Toughest question: “What does it cost?”
Sell value vs. pricing.
Lay out FAA mins vs. detailed actual cost*
Emphasize client control of training costs.
Differentiate rental aircraft & instructor rates.
Make $ outside the cockpit!
Don’t be afraid of the bottom line!
Compare Flight Training Cost and Value to other activities
Second car, $12-15,000
Kitchen remodel, $12-20,000+
Luxury cruise or tour for 2, $10-20,000
New motorcycle, $18,000
Boats, Golf club memberships, Timeshares
Lifetime piloting adventures, $10-12,000
Keeping Your Students Aloft
Empower your students to be PIC
Client Retention: Biggest Challenge & Opportunity
The Syllabus: our most Under-utilized Tool
CFIs must graphically show progress every lesson
Recognize Client Achievements
Help Your Customers Sell Flying
The all-powerful Pep Talk!
Establish customer-success policies
Enhance client skills and satisfaction via optional "merit badge" lessons
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
What you can join for free.
Bootcamp+ membership site - All power hours, tribal knowledge videos, and more.
Preview our online course - On Demand
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What we offer for purchase.
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3-Day CFII Class - In person or remote - Every two to three months - Location Varies.
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
Remote checkride preparation - Mock oral exams, etc., for all ratings - mike@cfibootcamp.com
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