Road to FI - Becoming a night instructor

After I finished the CPL theory at the end of 2024, I was finally eligible to add the night instruction endorsement to my FI(A) rating. So when I got the opportunity in January, I did the required training with a FI FI. Compared to everything else, adding the night instruction endorsement is rather easy, but it was still a major goal for me for this night season.

And in February, we had a couple weeks of mostly CAVOK high pressure weather, which allowed me to take my first two night students through the night training. Having a student complete a course feels great! All the hard work to get here is without a doubt worth it.

A short course

The night rating course is a short one, at least if you already have PPL or higher. It’s a bit longer for LAPL pilots, as you need to do the PPL instrument training first. Both my students are PPL pilots, so I only got to fly three lessons with each of them. The final lesson has to be flown with the (assistant) school chief instructor.

There aren’t that many students getting their pilot license where I live, so the access to students is rather limited. This means I’m still a rather junior instructor, and I still struggle with impostor syndrome. I am without a doubt my own worst critic.

Getting to do a couple short courses like this, is a great way to grow as a new instructor - and also help me realize that I am much more capable than I often give myself credit for. I have experience I bring to the table, I am able to provide value to my students. And it feels great to be able to both help existing pilots improve, and help bring entirely new pilots into this wonderful world of aviation. It’s rewarding in far more ways than I had imagined.

Embracing digital tools

I have always embraced new technology, and it made perfect sense to me to try to improve the briefing and debriefing process using whatever tools I felt comfortable with. So my CPL-theory-study-iPad is now my briefing/debriefing iPad. I brought one of my old monitors, and just like that I had the perfect solution for briefing and debriefing.

As with most other NLF based aviation clubs, we also use NLF TMS as our training management solution. Having the student being able to view the monitor while I grade and write, greatly improves the student’s ability to follow along while I’m typing (and reading out loud as I type).

What this is even better for though, is firing up CloudAhoy and FlySto to debrief maneuvers and pattern work. It works equally good for viewing AeroWeather and Windy when briefing the lesson. I have everything I need right there.

I have also started working on a repository of useful diagrams and illustrations, both for briefings and for debriefings. I decided to give Obsidian a try for this, and so far it’s working great! I’m using Obsidian Sync, which allows me to work on my library using the computer, and have it automatically synchronized to the iPad. The search feature allows me to quickly find what I need. I also plan to add all relevant diagrams and illustrations to each lesson in the default lesson plans, to make it even easier when briefing students.

To keep track of students, potential students and discovery flights, I’ve made a shared Notion Teamspace with the other instructor in the club.

All I need now is more students…

Are you an instructor yourself, which modern teaching tools do you use? How did you overcome the impostor syndrome?

• PPL
• Night