Class IV Instructor Foundations

Whether you are preparing to start your Class IV training, already working with a Class I Instructor, or supplementing a training program that has gaps, this course gives you the foundational knowledge every instructor candidate needs, delivered in a structured, self-paced format with real instructor support built in.

Across nine focused lessons, you will cover the full landscape of flight instruction: how people learn, how to plan and deliver lessons, how to question effectively, how to teach in the air, and how to debrief in a way that actually moves a student forward. Assignments throughout the course ask you to apply what you are learning — including building your own lesson plans — and a qualified Class I Instructor will review your work and provide personalized feedback.

This is not a replacement for formal Class IV training. It is the resource that makes that training more effective — helping you arrive better prepared, fill gaps as they appear, and build the kind of conceptual and practical foundation that holds everything else together.

Completing this course qualifies you for a 5-hour Ground School Certificate from Level Flight, which can be added to your Pilot Training Record.

Who this is for

• Pilots preparing to begin their Class IV Instructor Rating who want a genuine head start, including real practice building lesson plans before formal training begins

• Candidates already in Class IV training who want structured reference material and an additional set of expert eyes on their work

• Candidates whose training has been interrupted — by a break, a school change, or a Class I whose program has gaps — and who want structured support to get back on track

• Anyone who wants to build and test real instructional skills before committing fully to the rating

What you will come away with

• A working understanding of the seven PERRIER learning factors and how to apply them in every lesson

• The ability to plan and structure a complete PGI from the Flight Instructor Guide, with feedback from a Class I Instructor on your actual work

• Practical oral questioning techniques are built into every phase of instruction

• A clear framework for in-flight teaching — explanation, demonstration, practice, and evaluation

• Confidence in post-flight fault analysis and how to debrief in a way that builds skill

• An honest understanding of what the Class IV training journey looks like — and how to navigate it well

• A 5-hour Ground School Certificate that counts toward your Pilot Training Record