Definition 1 of 2
Definition
A questioning technique used by an instructor in a group setting in which a question asked by one student is redirected to another student in the group, rather than answered directly by the instructor. The instructor relays the question to draw on the group's knowledge and stimulate discussion before offering a definitive answer.
Plain English
When a student asks the instructor a question, the instructor passes it on to another student to answer first, instead of answering it themselves.
Context Anchor
Used in aviation instruction when an instructor wants students to take part in the discussion rather than only listen to the instructor.
Derivation
From 'relay,' meaning to pass something along from one party to another. The instructor 'relays' the question from the asker to a different responder, much like a relay race hands off a baton.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps all students mentally engaged and builds their ability to think through aviation concepts on their own.
Intuition Check
Do not read relay question as a radio relay or a message being passed between aircraft. In this teaching context, it means passing a student’s question to another student or the group.
Example Sentence 1
When one student asked why density altitude matters on hot days, the instructor used a relay question and asked another student to take a shot at the answer first.
Example Sentence 2
Using a relay question helped the quiet student explain how to read a METAR.