CFI ACS Task D Explained: Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing | FOI Series Ep. 4
Host and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, [Host Name], interviews aviation experts on effectively evaluating student pilots using the CFI ACS Task D, enhancing teaching and assessment techniques.
22 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
CFI ACS Task C Explained: Lesson Plans, Course Development & Teaching Methods | FOI Series Ep. 3
FAA Designated Pilot Examiner Seth Lake explains CFI ACS Task C, detailing lesson plans, course development, and teaching methods for aspiring flight instructors.
2 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
CFI ACS Task B Explained: The Learning Process | FOI Series Ep. 2
In Episode 2 of our CFI ACS series, we work through Area of Operation 1, Task B: The Learning Process. This is the biggest task in the Fundamentals of Instruction — 16 knowledge topics, 3 risk management elements, and 3 skills — all drawn from Chapter 3 of the Aviation Instructor's Handbook.
I walk through every knowledge element, break down the concepts using real-world analogies and examples from my experience as a DPE and 20-year instructor, and then tie it all together with a realistic scenario covering all three skill elements — the kind of scenario you might get on your CFI practical test.
If you're preparing for your CFI checkride, stop memorizing the FOIs. Start learning how to use them. That's what this series is about.
If you haven't seen Episode 1 covering Task A (Human Behavior & Communication), go back and watch that first.
Resources:
Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9), Chapter 3
VSL ACE Guide: https://vsl.aero/aceguide
Join the VSL Aviation Discord: https://discord.gg/4BMChDbbxC
#CFI #FlightInstructor #ACS #FOI #PilotTraining #VSLAviation #ScenarioBasedTraining #FlightTraining #DPE #checkride
Chapters:
0:00 — Intro & Series Overview
2:07 — ACE Guide Walkthrough & ACS Structure
4:15 — K1: Definitions of Learning
5:01 — K2A: Behaviorism (T-37 Story)
9:02 — K2B: Cognitive Theory (Lego & Car Analogies)
17:02 — K3: Perceptions & Insight (Element of Threat)
23:28 — K4: Acquiring Knowledge (Math Analogy)
30:55 — K5: Laws of Learning
47:19 — K6: Domains of Learning (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor)
1:04:21 — K7: Characteristics of Learning
1:14:47 — K8: Scenario-Based Training (D&D Comparison)
1:20:01 — K9: Acquiring Skill Knowledge & Learning Plateaus
1:32:06 — K10: Types of Practice
1:37:04 — K11: Evaluation vs. Critique
1:39:20 — K12: Distractions, Interruptions, Fixation & Inattention
1:42:08 — K13: Errors
1:48:30 — K14: Memory (Penguins on an Iceberg)
1:23:57 — K15: Retention of Learning (Peppermint Story)
1:27:47 — K16: Transfer of Learning
1:31:13 — Risk Management (R1, R2, R3)
1:31:38 — Skills Scenario: The Returning Bonanza Pilot
1:40:04 — Wrap-Up
Inside a recent episode
CFI ACS Task D Explained: Student Evaluation, Assessment, and Testing | FOI Series Ep. 4
Published 3 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So again, if you think about what aeronautical decision-making and having good risk management and just being a good pilot is, a lot of that is your ability to assess the how you performed yourself. Because as a private pilot or as a pilot, once you sign them off or once I sign them off as a DPE and they go out there flying the real world, they're not going to have an instructor looking over their shoulder all the time. So if they're faced with a decision, we have to be confident. We being the instructor and the DPE, we're kind of acting as a team to make sure these airmen, these new airmen are safe and they're not going to hurt themselves or anybody else. […]
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