Plain English Meaning

It is the instructor's job to constantly judge how well the student is flying — what they can do well, what they still struggle with, and whether they are ready for the next step. This judgment shapes every lesson and decides when the student is safe to fly alone or take a test.

Full Definition

A flight instructor responsibility involving the ongoing assessment of a learner's flying skills, knowledge, judgment, and decision-making throughout training. The instructor observes performance against the standards required for the certificate or rating being pursued, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and uses that information to guide further instruction and to determine readiness for solo flight, checkrides, and certification.

Context Anchor

Used during flight training when an instructor observes a learner in the , reviews performance after a lesson, or decides whether the learner is ready to fly alone or move on to more advanced training.