Enclosure (2) to COMDTINST 16798.2
Introduction
This Guide has been developed to help you, the instructor, better train the Auxiliarist wishing to
earn the Auxiliary Air Crew designation. The knowledge you posses as a pilot is considerable. It
is critical that you impart this knowledge to the trainee so they may act as competent Auxiliary Air
Crew. Make sure the trainee thoroughly understands the subject matter being presented in the Air
Crew syllabus. The Air Crew program was designed to provide you, the pilot, with an effective
assistant during times of high workload. The training you provide should be geared toward that
goal. This training guide will follow the Air Crew syllabus and will explain what you should be
teaching the Air Crew trainee for every subject outlined in the syllabus.
Concept - The concept of the Air Crew designation is that of a capable assistant to the pilot in
times of high workload. Competent Air Crew will not only be able to fulfill all Observer duties,
but will be able to assist/back up the pilot on radio communications, weather gathering, navigation,
and approaches. In short, a well trained Auxiliary Air Crew will be a positive factor in enhancing
safety in all phases of Auxiliary mission flying.
Training - The Air Crew training syllabus has been designed to be completed in a minimum of 5
hours of flight time. Before flying with a trainee make sure he or she is totally familiar with the
systems they are expected to discuss/demonstrate in the air. More than 5 hours can be used during
the syllabus, but progress is expected. If trainee progress is not satisfactory, refer the matter to the
District Flight Examining Board and they will determine what needs to be done before proceeding
with any further training for the Air Crew candidate in question. The instructor will use the
completion guidelines promulgated below when training and evaluating the Air Crew candidate for
satisfactory knowledge and skill in all subject matter areas. Training should be conducted on the
ground and in the air.
Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) - During the course of the member's Air Crew training,
emphasize cockpit resource management principles. Use the "challenge and response" checklist
method, teach the trainee to monitor aircraft system gauges for normal and abnormal indications,
and teach the trainee to act assertively when cockpit and system abnormalities are detected. Used
properly, CRM principles are invaluable additions to the safety of flight.
Completion Guidelines - For ground training each task will be considered complete when the
trainee demonstrates to the instructor, by the question and answer method, a basic understanding of
the subject matter being taught. For flight training each task will be considered complete once the
trainee can demonstrate competency in each task. Any time a lesson involves equipment in the
airplane such as an audio panel, communication,
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