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Resources for Flight Schools

Groundschool Courses

Farmhall Aviation Training supplies course syllabuses and the associated material for the groundschool component of the Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Licence and Instrument Rating. Using these resources allows a flight school to provide a professional and thorough course to its students through changes in teaching staff. By providing the necessary materials, Farmhall Aviation Training frees instructors from the work of preparing texts and handouts.

In addition to making syllabuses and texts available, Farmhall Aviation Training can provide consultancy to help a flight school tailor its own course and appraise courses already being given.

Course material is available for three specific courses:

  1. The Commercial Pilot course as defined by Transport Canada.
  2. The Instrument Rating course as defined by Transport Canada.
  3. A combined Commercial/Instrument course.

The Commercial Pilot Course

The Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Syllabus contains some interesting artifacts whose usefulness is frankly in doubt. The workbooks prepared by Farmhall Aviation Training do not pull punches about these areas: they are covered and the flaws are listed. The workbooks do, however, contain material beyond the Transport Canada syllabus. This additional material can ensure that advanced students are kept engaged throughout a groundschool but is clearly marked so that less interested students are not intimidated.

The Instrument Rating Course

Many IFR groundschools adequately teach each of the components of an IFR flight but leave the students without a clear understanding of how those components fit together. The Farmhall Aviation Training course leads the students through a complete flight during the first lesson: a route is planned, clearances are given and the entire flight is "flown". The course then briefs the student on the necessary components of the flight in much more detail and the final lesson allows the student to prepare and "fly" the same IFR task as in the first lesson, this time with greater depth. This integration of the various components is considered essential to enable the student to move into the IFR context with confidence.

In addition to the questions, the IFR workbook contains a list, with answers, of many questions commonly asked during IFR flight tests. It is suggested that this list be reviewed by students immediately before an initial IFR flight test or the biennial renewal.

The Combined Commercial/Instrument Course

The combined course is popular because it reduces the overlap in groundschool teaching for students who first take an instrument rating and then decide to take the commercial pilot course. Much of the material is common: human factors, instruments and systems, much of the weather and some of the navigation. This combined course can also allow a flight school to up-sell an instrument rating to a student enrolled in a commercial pilot course by providing an insight into IFR flying.

Syllabuses

Syllabuses and timetables for each of the above courses can be downloaded from the catalogue page. Each syllabus contains a detailed proposed timetable and basic lesson plans listing the objectives and main topics covered during each lesson.

Customisation of Standard Courses for Different Schools

As advertised, all of the workbooks and other materials are stamped with the Farmhall Aviation Training logo. Schools may wish to have customised versions of the material with their own logo and their history or other advertising material included—see the catalogue page for the costs of this customisation.

Customised Courses

In addition to providing material for the standard Instrument and Commercial Licence courses, Farmhall Aviation Training can also provide the structure for courses customised to a particular need (e.g., an intense 3-day Instrument Flying groundschool). Farmhall Aviation Training can also provide instructors to run such courses. Please contact us with your precise needs and we will see whether we can tailor a course specifically to address those needs.