AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 20

LICENSE TO LEARN

Attention grabber

BY ROD MACHADO

Bragging on ASI's Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics

ROD MACHADO'S

latest book is the
How to Fly an
Airplane Handbook.

20 | AOPA PILOT July 2014

WHEN I SIT DOWN to learn from an online presentation, it better hold my attention or my mind will drift
off faster than a party balloon in gale-force winds.
There was no mental drift when I sat down to take the
Air Safety Institute's online eFIRC (Flight Instructor
Refresher Clinic) a few months ago. ASI has outdone
itself in the conception, creation, and production of
its eFIRC. To set the mood, let's examine the original reason for the FIRC, and then see what ASI offers
instructors with its live (in person) FIRC and its new
eFIRC offering.
In the early 1960s, my friend Pete Campbell-one
of the best FAA inspectors and aviation educators I've
ever had the pleasure of knowing-convinced the FAA
higher-ups to tackle general aviation's alarming accident
rate by directly educating flight instructors. Enter the
FIRC, which became the primary means by which flight
instructors renewed their instructor certificates every
24 calendar months. The FAA's FIRC made its maiden
voyage in 1964. The course consisted of 24 hours of
classroom instruction spread over three days and was
taught by six of the FAA's top aviation educators.
By 1971-after 200 seminars, attended by more
than 16,000 instructors-the flight instruction accident rate decreased by 67 percent. Campbell proved
a very important point about aviation "classroom"
education-it saves lives. With the proper classroom
training, instructors learned to fly more safely and
became better teachers in the process. In turn, these
same instructors began producing safer pilots.
By the late 1970s, the FAA ceased teaching the
FIRCs and began allowing nongovernmental organizations to conduct these clinics around the country. I
was lucky enough to begin teaching these programs
for AOPA in 1978.
My great fortune was in sharing the stage with
some of aviation's most dynamic, talented, and bright
instructors. I'm speaking of individuals such as
Catherine Fish, one of the top female aviation educators in the world, and Dr. Gerry Fairbairn, one of the
smartest men I know in the business of aviation education. Please forgive me for being unable to introduce
you to each and every one of these outstanding educators, but you can see many of them at the live FIRCs
that ASI presents around the country. These individuals are, without question, some of the very best aviation
instructors in the world. No brag. Just fact.

Unfortunately, travel costs, scheduling, and previous
commitments prevent some instructors from attending
a live ASI FIRC. Fortunately, over the past few years,
there's been another option available to instructors,
which doesn't involve leaving the comfort of home.
I'm speaking of the online version of this course. ASI's
eFIRC is an option you should seriously consider.
I recently took ASI's eFIRC in the comfort of my
own home, meaning that I didn't have to travel on an
airliner to do it. This reduced my chance of having to
sit next to a crying baby who smokes. I'm here to witness to you that ASI has done something wonderful
with its online offering. It has created not only a highly
educational course-it's also created one that's enjoyable to sit through.
Here's how the online FIRC works.
There are 10 mandatory lesson blocks that must be
completed. These range from courses on How to Give
an Effective and Useful Flight Review to Navigating
in the 21st Century: Pilotage and GPS. Then there are
six elective courses (out of nine total) ranging from
Decision Making to Mountain Flying. All 16 courses
represent the equivalent of 16 hours of mandatory
classroom education that the FAA now requires for
flight instructor certificate renewal.
One of the many highlights of this course is the
video presentations made by recognized flight training experts. For instance, designated examiners Doug
Stewart and Jason Blair provide practical insights on
fine-tuning a flight review. Max Trescott shares his
wisdom on glass cockpit training, and Kathy Yodice
provides a legal perspective for flight instructors.
These are just a few of the videos that you'll have a
chance to view. So be prepared for the insights and
wisdom shared by some of aviation's most knowledgeable instructors, along with compelling video
education in many other areas.
No doubt there are other great online and live
FIRCs, but ASI's live and online programs will not disappoint you. If you're unable to make it to a live ASI
FIRC, please consider the online version. My experience with the course was a highly enjoyable one. It was
the quality of training, professional course construction,
and course content that held my attention throughout
the entire online program.
AOPA
WEB

www.rodmachado.com


http://www.rodmachado.com

AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014

AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014
Contents
President’s Position
Letters
Waypoints
Proficient Pilot
Safety Pilot
License to Learn
Fly Well
Guest Editorial
Aviation shines at Endeavor Awards
Events
Airport Stories
Solo Flight 2013
Test Pilot
Aerial Adventures
News
Flying Clubs
Pilot Products
AOPA Fly-Ins
Fly-Outs
Debonair on Deck
Craftsmanship: Yellow Marvel
Pleasant Surprises
Only in Wisconsin
Opportunity Knocking
Technique
Wx Watch
Technology
Dogfight
Never Again
AOPA Action
State and Local Action
Member Services
AOPA Foundation
Insurance Services
Fly by Wire
Tips from PIC
Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - President’s Position
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Letters
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 12
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Waypoints
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Proficient Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Safety Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - License to Learn
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Fly Well
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Guest Editorial
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Aviation shines at Endeavor Awards
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Events
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Airport Stories
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Solo Flight 2013
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Test Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Aerial Adventures
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - News
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Flying Clubs
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Pilot Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 44
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - AOPA Fly-Ins
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Fly-Outs
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - R-1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - R-2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - R-3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - R-4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Debonair on Deck
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Craftsmanship: Yellow Marvel
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 64
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Pleasant Surprises
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Only in Wisconsin
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Opportunity Knocking
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 79
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 81
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Technique
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 83
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 84
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 85
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Wx Watch
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 87
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 88
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Technology
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Dogfight
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 92
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 93
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Never Again
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 95
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 96
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 97
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - AOPA Action
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - State and Local Action
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 101
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Member Services
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - AOPA Foundation
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Insurance Services
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 107
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Fly by Wire
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Tips from PIC
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - Cover4
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