Principles and Methods of Instruction

With the introduction of Part 61 to the Australian licensing system, prior to any helicopter pilot being able to provide instruction they must first hold a Flight Instructors' Rating (FIR), which includes completion of a Principles and Methods of Instruction (PMI) course with an approved helicopter flight school.

Mike Becker's "Principles and Methods of Instruction for Helicopter Pilots" is the product of more than two decades of instructing experience. Mike Becker established Becker Helicopters in 1995 and has gained incredible insights into the science and process of competency-based training.

This reference book is a comprehensive training resource for the helicopter pilot undertaking the PMI course. It covers a systems approach to training and addresses the topics of professional responsibility, personality types, the fundamentals of instruction and learning, the psychology of learning, and details some specific teaching methods.

"Principles and Methods of Instruction for Helicopter Pilots" is easy to read and contains a range of colour diagrams and photos to assist in the comprehension of the written information. It is an integral resource for any helicopter pilot pursuing a role as a flight instructor.

Mike Becker is one of Australia's most experienced helicopter instructors, with over 16,000 hours of rotary-wing flight experience. His career has taken him from the mountains in New Zealand to the outback of Australia, to the jungles of Papua New Guinea. He has also worked in the United States, Italy and Borneo.He has flown a range of helicopter types - the Robinson R22, Robinson R44, Bell 47, Hughes 269, Hughes 500, Bell 206, Bell 427, Bell 212, EC120, Dragon Fly, Brantley B2B, Enstrom EF28, Sikorsky S62A, Hiller H12ET, Aerospatial AS350, Agusta 109E Power, Agusta 109S Grand, and the Agusta 119 Koala.He is experienced in a vast range of helicopter operations including high altitude, remote area operations, mustering, firefighting, tourism, sling load operations, specialised long line operations, search and rescue, and Night Vision Goggles operations.Mike is a Grade One Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner who holds an Australian Air Transport Pilots Licence (Helicopter) and an Australian Commercial Pilots Licence (Fixed Wing).Mike is the Chief Pilot and Head of Training for his own business Becker Helicopters in Australia. He, and his wife Jan, established Becker Helicopters in 1997 with one Bell 47 and have grown the business through a love of helicopters, hard work, and determination.Mike is the recipient of many awards, including the "Captain John Ashton Award for Flight Standards and Aviation Safety" by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators of London, which was awarded in recognition of over 18,000 accident-free flight training hours at Becker Helicopters. Mike has also authored "Mike Becker's Helicopter Handbook", first published in 1986, along with a range of theory books and instructional videos.

Bev Austen has worked as a technical writer and instructional designer for over 25 years. She has collaborated with Mike Becker on a number of publications including the Mike Becker Helicopter Handbooks, first published in 1986 along with a range of instructional books and videos.