Instructor Pilot Course
The Instructor Pilot (IP) Course is a flight-only evaluation program designed to assess a candidate's ability to teach and demonstrate the full spectrum of vTAC training material. Candidates must exhibit mastery of all taught skills while demonstrating effective instructional techniques, clear communication, and the ability to identify and correct student errors.
All evaluations are conducted via flight simulator with a certifying instructor. No ground training required—candidates are expected to arrive fully prepared to demonstrate and teach each discipline.
Prerequisites Required
Candidates must hold all certifications being evaluated: UPT (Blocks 1-3), MQT Block 1, and IFF Block 1. Commander recommendation required.
Flight Evals
Total Hours
Disciplines
Certification
Course Objectives
- ✓ Demonstrate mastery of all vTAC training curriculum through practical execution
- ✓ Exhibit effective instructional techniques and clear verbal communication
- ✓ Identify common student errors and provide appropriate corrective guidance
- ✓ Maintain flight tolerances while simultaneously instructing
- ✓ Apply sound judgment in training scenarios and safety decisions
Evaluation Standards
Tolerances Per Lesson
Technical Accuracy
7 Evaluations Required
INSTRUCTOR ASSESSMENT
Candidates are evaluated on both technical execution AND instructional effectiveness. Must demonstrate ability to teach while flying.
Grading Criteria
Flight Evaluations
The IP Course consists of 7 flight evaluations covering all major training disciplines. Each evaluation assesses both technical proficiency and instructional ability. Candidates must pass all evaluations to earn IP certification.
Evaluation Format
- Demonstration: Execute the skill to standard while explaining key teaching points
- Instruction: Talk through common errors, corrections, and safety considerations
- Scenario: Respond to evaluator-injected student errors appropriately
FLIGHT Instructional Evaluations MANDATORY ~10.5 hrs total
Towered, untowered, overhead breaks, closed traffic
ILS, VOR, RNAV approaches, holds, missed approach
Fingertip, route, rejoins, lead changes, breakup
SLOW-POP-IP-DROP-ESCAPE, TOT, timing calls
Track management, receiver coordination, breakaway
BFM fundamentals, offensive/defensive, perch setups
BSA/SAT patterns, IP-to-target, strafe, CAS
IP Certification
Upon successful completion of all 7 flight evaluations, candidates earn the IP (Instructor Pilot) certification and are authorized to conduct vTAC flight instruction on VATSIM.