Instructor Ground Training Compensation

During a discussion earlier this month that I had with one of our instructors, Mark Mallamo, we talked about a missing area of our training environment. This is a system of formalized ground training instruction. This is especially important to those working on a new or additional rating but additionally can be very useful for rated pilots wanting to refresh their knowledge.

The SSI Board of Directors agrees strongly that ground based instruction is a critical piece of any aviation training environment and believes that this should be an emphasis at Sky Soaring going forward. We feel that this will help retain our new members by pointing the way through the knowledge they must learn and the processes they must following towards aviation goals beyond first solo.

Towards the goal of available ground training for our instructors the following paragraphs will be added to the next release of the Sky Soaring Policies and Procedures manual.

– John DeRosa

President, Sky Soaring Glider Club

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Addition to the Sky Soaring Glider Club’s
Policies and Procedure Manual

Instructors are encouraged to hold ground school training classes with members covering requirements in, but not limited to CFR Parts 61.105 (Private Pilot), 61.125 (Commercial Pilot) or 61.309 (Sport Pilot) aeronautical knowledge. This training may be held locally or by using Sky Soaring’s web conferencing services.

Instructors generally volunteer their time when performing training. However, within the specific delineated areas of flight and ground training shown below the instructor may optionally request renumeration from members. Renumeration fees are an agreement solely between the instructor and the member.

Flight Reviews – Covered under CFR Part 61.56 and are typically held biennially. This includes the “FAA-sponsored Pilot Proficiency Award Program” also known as the WINGS program.

Rating Check Ride Preparation – This preparation begins at the point a member announces a decision to begin preparation for a rating check ride. The areas of training would center on the written, oral, and practical testing portions of obtaining a rating. This may be held in a multi-person classroom instruction environment or in a one-on-one environment.

Classroom Instruction – This is a multi-person training environment typically offered over a span of weeks. The instructor may choose from a wide range of potential areas of instruction but must be in a glider-relevant area of knowledge. Example areas might include; FAA’s “Glider flying Handbook”, FAA’s Practical Test Standards (PTS), Bob Wander’s training syllabus “Learning to Fly Gliders”, SSA badge certification, cross country flight, maintenance of gliders, instrumentation (electrical and/or non-electrical), avionics, etc.

Private Tutorship and Mentorship – There may be cases where a member expresses the desire to receive one-on-one instruction towards a specific training goal. This training would typically be given in a one-on-one environment but may well be of greater benefit to the club’s membership if held in a classroom setting.