Airborne Sensor Operator Instructor: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

If you have some years and flight hours under your belt as an ASO (both manned and unmanned), you’ll know not all ASO Instructors are the same. In a very simple or broad breakout, one can categorize the different types of Instructors as "the good, the bad and the ugly!"

Let’s start with the ugly or what I like to call the “SCREAMER.”  In general, the screamer is abrasive, abusive, stern, excitable, condescending, or foul-mouthed. Their attitude and behavior are counter to all the basic principles of flight (and technical) instructing. Their oblivious to the needs of the student and how their negative behavior affects everything from the student, crew and flight section. I’m sure all of us can look through your flight log and point to a few names!

A bad ASO Instructor is the individual who is good or even outstanding as a stand-alone Mark-1 ASO plus an individual you can have fun drinking a beer with. However, they either don’t have the natural ability, motivation or proper training to instruct others. In the end, the student says “nice guy but I didn’t learn anything!”

O.K., now for the good ASO Instructor, a good ASO instructor is very proficient as an ASO and enjoys or even loves instructing! Here’s a list of traits that I think highlights a good ASO Instructor:

  • Attitude – Love of profession and love for teaching.
  • Disciplined – Observing regulations and standards, i.e., a good role model.
  • Certified – His or her hard work, experience, and technical skills are validated by other professionals.
  • Teaching Abilities – Understand each student learns differently, i.e., knowing different instructing methods.
  • Tough Love “Tough Coddling” – Like a parent, doesn’t coddle their students but lets them learn from their mistakes.
  • Mentoring – Goes beyond just instructing technical modules but share the art & spirit of being an Airborne Sensor Operator.

If you find yourself as a professional ASO or even a secondary professional ASO instructing others but have never learned the trade of instructing, here’s one free open source for you to do a little self-professional development: FAA Aviation Instructors Handbook.

If you know of any instructor traits (the good, the bad and the ugly) that I missed or an example, please comment.

ASOG Desk Editor (Patrick Ryan)

The Desk Editor at ASOG is dedicated to manage and delegate the coverage of news items, broadcast, or online media to inform, educate and empower ASOG members.

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