The Flight Instructor's Survival Guide

After passing the FAA’s Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test required of all instructors, the true challenge begins—applying that knowledge in the real world of teaching flight. Follow along as Arlynn McMahon lifts the FOI principles from the classroom and brings them into the cockpit. Her forty-four stories demonstrate the FOI principles in flight and offer practical strategies for dealing with both common and unexpected situations—all with wisdom, grace, and humor.

McMahon’s companion to the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9) uses memorable parables and provides sage advice to illustrate FOI principles at work with real clients in real-life situations. Psychology, human factors, professionalism, effective communication, customer service, and ethics are evident in her teaching style with the people she’s interacted with over decades in the business of flight training. McMahon’s experiences illustrate what works—and why—for instructors and their students.

Through artful storytelling, McMahon shows how a successful instructor is sometimes a psychologist, other times a detective, and always a gatekeeper enforcing rules and cultivating the behaviors required to be a responsible aviation citizen. Delightful, full of wisdom—and written with humor, kindness, and dignity for her students—this is an invaluable guide for all flight and ground instructors who will benefit from using McMahon’s insights with their own clients.

Arlynn McMahon began her love of aviation as a youngster. She soloed on her 16th birthday; since that time her feet have rarely been on the ground. Arlynn is a graduate of Aero-Tech of Lexington, Kentucky, and also a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Arlynn has helped more than 1,000 students and CFIs fulfill their dreams of flight since she joined Aero-Tech as an instructor in 1984. A career flight instructor, she recently completed a MBA in Strategic Leadership from Amberton University. Today she serves as Aero-Tech’s Vice President and Training Centers Manager, responsible for all pilot training and flight activities. She is an active FAA Accident Prevention Counselor, 1991 FAA Regional Flight Instructor of the Year, 2009 CFI of the Year, and 2009 recipient of the NATA Award for Excellence in Pilot Training.

Arlynn specializes in teaching Aeronautical Decision-Making and Cockpit-Risk Management to the aircraft owner/nonprofessional pilot. She is a guest speaker at many aviation safety seminars and functions. Arlynn holds an Airline Transport Pilot for multi-engine privileges and a Commercial Pilot Certificate for single engine privileges. She is an FAA Gold Seal and NAFI Master Instructor, with CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, and over 10,000 accident-free hours, including 7,000 hours dual given. She is a Designated Sport Pilot Examiner and a FAAST Representative.