Flight Instructor ACS · Area I

FI.I Fundamentals of Instructing

6 tasks and 145 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as FI.I.A.K1, lands on its own line.

Written by the FlightWay team. Regulations checked against the eCFR and faa.gov on 11 November 2026. Not a substitute for the regulation itself or your instructor.

Flight Instructor Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-25 (November 2023 edition), effective May 31, 2024 and incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 61.14. Text from the FAA’s ACS page, checked on 11 November 2026. If the FAA has published a newer edition since, the codes and wording may differ: the FAA document is the authority.

FI.I.A Effects of Human Behavior and Communication on the Learning Process

To determine the applicant understands human behavior and effective communication, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

FI.I.A.K1Knowledge: Elements of human behavior, including:
FI.I.A.K1aKnowledge: Definitions of human behavior
FI.I.A.K1bKnowledge: Instructor and learner relationship
FI.I.A.K1cKnowledge: Motivation
FI.I.A.K1dKnowledge: Human needs
FI.I.A.K1eKnowledge: Defense mechanisms
FI.I.A.K2Knowledge: Learner emotional reactions, including:
FI.I.A.K2aKnowledge: Anxiety and stress
FI.I.A.K2bKnowledge: Impatience
FI.I.A.K2cKnowledge: Worry or lack of interest
FI.I.A.K2dKnowledge: Physical discomfort, illness, fatigue, and dehydration
FI.I.A.K2eKnowledge: Apathy due to inadequate instruction
FI.I.A.K3Knowledge: Teaching the adult learner.
FI.I.A.K4Knowledge: Effective communication, including:
FI.I.A.K4aKnowledge: Basic elements of communication
FI.I.A.K4bKnowledge: Barriers to effective communication
FI.I.A.K4cKnowledge: Developing communication skills
FI.I.A.R1Risk management: Recognizing and accommodating human behavior.
FI.I.A.R2Risk management: Barriers to communication.
FI.I.A.S1Skill: Give examples of how human behavior affects motivation and learning.
FI.I.A.S2Skill: Describe what the instructor can do to deal with:
FI.I.A.S2aSkill: Serious abnormal emotional behavior
FI.I.A.S2bSkill: Defense mechanisms
FI.I.A.S3Skill: Use effective communication in ground and flight instruction.

FI.I.B Learning Process

To determine the applicant understands the learning process, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

FI.I.B.K1Knowledge: Definitions of learning.
FI.I.B.K2Knowledge: Learning theory as it applies to ground and flight instruction, including:
FI.I.B.K2aKnowledge: Behaviorism
FI.I.B.K2bKnowledge: Cognitive Theory
FI.I.B.K3Knowledge: Perceptions and insight.
FI.I.B.K4Knowledge: Acquiring knowledge.
FI.I.B.K5Knowledge: Laws of learning.
FI.I.B.K6Knowledge: Domains of learning, including:
FI.I.B.K6aKnowledge: Cognitive
FI.I.B.K6bKnowledge: Affective
FI.I.B.K6cKnowledge: Psychomotor
FI.I.B.K7Knowledge: Characteristics of learning.
FI.I.B.K8Knowledge: Scenario-based training (SBT).
FI.I.B.K9Knowledge: Acquiring skill knowledge, including:
FI.I.B.K9aKnowledge: Stages
FI.I.B.K9bKnowledge: Knowledge of results
FI.I.B.K9cKnowledge: How to develop skills
FI.I.B.K9dKnowledge: Learning plateaus
FI.I.B.K10Knowledge: Types of practice.
FI.I.B.K11Knowledge: Evaluation versus critique.
FI.I.B.K12Knowledge: Distractions, interruptions, fixation, and inattention.
FI.I.B.K13Knowledge: Errors.
FI.I.B.K14Knowledge: Memory, including:
FI.I.B.K14aKnowledge: Sensory
FI.I.B.K14bKnowledge: Short-Term Memory (STM) and Long-Term Memory (LTM)
FI.I.B.K14cKnowledge: How usage affects memory
FI.I.B.K14dKnowledge: Forgetting
FI.I.B.K15Knowledge: Retention of learning.
FI.I.B.K16Knowledge: Transfer of learning.
FI.I.B.R1Risk management: Inadequate or incomplete instruction.
FI.I.B.R2Risk management: Lack of learner motivation.
FI.I.B.R3Risk management: Recognizing and correcting learner errors.
FI.I.B.S1Skill: Apply educational theories to ground and flight instruction.
FI.I.B.S2Skill: Recognize and correct conditions that undermine the learning process.
FI.I.B.S3Skill: Plan for and use techniques, including realistic distractions that teach flight students how to manage a workload.

FI.I.C Course Development, Lesson Plans, and Classroom Training Techniques

To determine the applicant understands the teaching process, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

FI.I.C.K1Knowledge: Teaching, including:
FI.I.C.K1aKnowledge: Process
FI.I.C.K1bKnowledge: Essential skills
FI.I.C.K2Knowledge: Course of training.
FI.I.C.K3Knowledge: Preparation of a lesson, including:
FI.I.C.K3aKnowledge: Training objectives and completion standards
FI.I.C.K3bKnowledge: Performance-based objectives
FI.I.C.K3cKnowledge: Importance of Airman Certification Standards (ACS) in aviation training curricula
FI.I.C.K3dKnowledge: Decision-based objectives
FI.I.C.K4Knowledge: Organization of material.
FI.I.C.K5Knowledge: Training delivery methods, including:
FI.I.C.K5aKnowledge: Lecture
FI.I.C.K5bKnowledge: Discussion
FI.I.C.K5cKnowledge: Guided discussion
FI.I.C.K5dKnowledge: Cooperative or group learning
FI.I.C.K5eKnowledge: Demonstration-performance
FI.I.C.K5fKnowledge: Drill and practice
FI.I.C.K6Knowledge: Electronic learning (e-Learning).
FI.I.C.K7Knowledge: Instructional aids and training technologies, including:
FI.I.C.K7aKnowledge: Characteristics of effective instructional aids
FI.I.C.K7bKnowledge: Reasons for use
FI.I.C.K7cKnowledge: Guidelines for use
FI.I.C.K7dKnowledge: Types
FI.I.C.K8Knowledge: Integrated flight instruction.
FI.I.C.K9Knowledge: Problem-based instruction.
FI.I.C.K10Knowledge: Planning instructional activity, including:
FI.I.C.K10aKnowledge: Blocks of learning
FI.I.C.K10bKnowledge: Training syllabus
FI.I.C.K10cKnowledge: Lesson plans
FI.I.C.R1Risk management: Selection of teaching method.
FI.I.C.S1Skill: Prepare an instructional lesson plan using teaching methods and materials appropriate for Task and learner characteristics, including:
FI.I.C.S1aSkill: Aeronautical knowledge ground lesson applicable for a classroom
FI.I.C.S1bSkill: Maneuver introduction and ground lesson

FI.I.D Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing

To determine the applicant understands evaluation and testing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

FI.I.D.K1Knowledge: Purpose and characteristics of effective assessment.
FI.I.D.K2Knowledge: Traditional assessments.
FI.I.D.K3Knowledge: Authentic assessments, including:
FI.I.D.K3aKnowledge: Learner-centered assessment
FI.I.D.K3bKnowledge: Maneuver or procedure grades
FI.I.D.K3cKnowledge: Assessing risk management skills
FI.I.D.K4Knowledge: Choosing an effective assessment method.
FI.I.D.K5Knowledge: Purposes and types of critiques.
FI.I.D.K6Knowledge: Oral assessment, including:
FI.I.D.K6aKnowledge: Characteristics of effective questions
FI.I.D.K6bKnowledge: Types of questions to avoid
FI.I.D.K6cKnowledge: Answering learner questions
FI.I.D.K7Knowledge: Assessment of piloting ability.
FI.I.D.R1Risk management: Delivering an assessment.
FI.I.D.S1Skill: Use appropriate methods and techniques to assess learner performance in ground or flight training.

FI.I.E Elements of Effective Teaching in a Professional Environment

To determine the applicant understands effects of instructor behavior on effective teaching, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

FI.I.E.K1Knowledge: Aviation instructor responsibilities, including:
FI.I.E.K1aKnowledge: Helping learners
FI.I.E.K1bKnowledge: Providing adequate instruction
FI.I.E.K1cKnowledge: Training to established standards of performance
FI.I.E.K1dKnowledge: Emphasizing the positive
FI.I.E.K1eKnowledge: Minimizing learner frustrations
FI.I.E.K2Knowledge: Flight instructor responsibilities, including supervision and surveillance during training.
FI.I.E.K3Knowledge: Flight instructor qualifications and professionalism.
FI.I.E.K4Knowledge: Professional development.
FI.I.E.K5Knowledge: Instructor ethics and conduct.
FI.I.E.R1Risk management: Fulfilling instructor responsibilities.
FI.I.E.R2Risk management: Exhibiting professionalism.
FI.I.E.S1Skill: Deliver ground or flight instruction on an evaluator-assigned Task in a manner consistent with instructor responsibilities and professional characteristics as stated in K1 through K5.

FI.I.F Elements of Effective Teaching that Include Risk Management and Accident Prevention

To determine the applicant understands teaching practical risk management, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

FI.I.F.K1Knowledge: Teaching risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
FI.I.F.K2Knowledge: Teaching risk management tools, including:
FI.I.F.K2aKnowledge: Pilot/Aircraft/enVironment/External Pressures (PAVE) checklist
FI.I.F.K2bKnowledge: Flight Risk Assessment Tools (FRATs)
FI.I.F.K3Knowledge: When and how to introduce risk management.
FI.I.F.K4Knowledge: Risk management teaching techniques by phase of instruction.
FI.I.F.K5Knowledge: Managing risk during flight instruction, including:
FI.I.F.K5aKnowledge: Common flight instruction risks
FI.I.F.K5bKnowledge: Best practices
FI.I.F.K5cKnowledge: Special considerations while teaching takeoffs and landings
FI.I.F.K6Knowledge: Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.
FI.I.F.R1Risk management: Hazards associated with providing flight instruction.
FI.I.F.R2Risk management: Obstacles to maintaining situational awareness during flight instruction.
FI.I.F.R3Risk management: Recognizing and managing hazards arising from human behavior, including hazardous attitudes.
FI.I.F.S1Skill: Use scenario-based training (SBT) to demonstrate, teach, and assess risk management and Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) skills in the context of a Task specified by the evaluator.
FI.I.F.S2Skill: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks commonly associated with flight instruction by maintaining:
FI.I.F.S2aSkill: Awareness and oversight of the learner's actions, with timely and appropriate supervision, intervention, or mitigation as needed
FI.I.F.S2bSkill: Awareness of the learner's cognitive/physiological state, with timely action to mitigate anxiety, fatigue, or other obstruction to learning
FI.I.F.S2cSkill: Overall situational awareness of the aircraft's dynamic state, its position in space, and vigilance for unexpected events or changing circumstances that occur in the environment
FI.I.F.S3Skill: Model and teach safety practices, including maintaining:
FI.I.F.S3aSkill: Collision avoidance while simultaneously providing instruction
FI.I.F.S3bSkill: Avoidance of unnecessary distractions
FI.I.F.S3cSkill: Coordinated flight
FI.I.F.S3dSkill: Awareness of who is manipulating controls through positive exchange of flight controls
FI.I.F.S3eSkill: Continuous awareness of the aircraft's dynamic state and position in the NAS

Other areas in this standard

AI.II Technical Subject Areas16 tasks AI.III Preflight Preparation3 tasks AI.IV Preflight Lesson on a Maneuver to be Performed in Flight1 task AI.V Preflight Procedures6 tasks AI.VI Airport and Seaplane Base Operations2 tasks AI.VII Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds15 tasks AI.VIII Fundamentals of Flight4 tasks AI.IX Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers6 tasks AI.X Slow flight, Stalls, and Spins9 tasks AI.XI Basic Instrument Maneuvers5 tasks AI.XII Emergency Operations7 tasks AI.XIII Multiengine Operations3 tasks AI.XIV Postflight Procedures2 tasks

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Last updated 11 November 2026.