Definition
A summary set of guiding principles that an instructor keeps in mind when designing and delivering scenario-based training (SBT). These points typically include: the scenario must have a clear training objective; it should be realistic and relevant to the learner's likely real-world flying; it must require the learner to make decisions rather than simply perform maneuvers; there are usually multiple acceptable outcomes rather than one correct answer; the instructor acts as a facilitator, not a director; and a structured debrief afterward is essential for learning to occur.
Plain English
A short checklist of things an instructor should keep front of mind whenever they run a training scenario, so the exercise actually teaches judgment and decision-making instead of just becoming a flying drill.
Context Anchor
Seen in the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook discussion of how instructors design and use scenario-based training lessons.
Derivation
Scenario comes from an Italian word that originally referred to the outline of scenes in a play. That helps here because scenario-based training is built around a planned situation or story that gives the student a realistic reason to make flying decisions.
Why Pilots Care
Helps training move beyond rote maneuvers so pilots learn to handle unexpected situations they will actually face in flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a simple checklist of tips. In this FAA context, these points are reminders for building realistic training that develops pilot judgment, not just task completion.
Example Sentence 1
Before flying with a new student, the CFI reviewed the points to remember about scenario-based training to make sure the lesson focused on decision-making rather than maneuvers alone.
Example Sentence 2
The points to remember about scenario-based training stress tying every scenario directly to the lesson objectives.