FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)The Teaching Process and MethodsHard
A flight instructor continues to drill emergency engine-out procedures with a student long after the student has already demonstrated correct performance, wanting the response to become instinctive rather than something the student has to consciously think through during an actual emergency. This teaching decision is best justified by which concept?
- AThe plateau effect in skill acquisition
- BNegative transfer of training
- CExtinction of a previously learned behavior
- DOverlearning, to ensure automatic recall under stress
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Overlearning, to ensure automatic recall under stress
Overlearning is the process of practicing a skill well beyond the point of initial mastery so that it becomes deeply ingrained and can be performed automatically, even under the stress of an actual emergency. This is especially important for critical procedures like engine failures, where hesitation can be dangerous.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A plateau is a temporary stall in progress, not continued practice after mastery.
- B. Negative transfer occurs when prior learning interferes with new learning, not applicable here.
- C. Extinction refers to a behavior fading from lack of use, the opposite of what's happening here.
Overlearning
Continued practice of a skill beyond the point of initial mastery to increase retention and enable automatic, reliable performance under stress.
- Especially valuable for emergency procedures
- Helps ensure automatic response without conscious thought
- Excessive overlearning can lead to boredom if overused for simple tasks
Memory trick: Drill it past perfect so panic can't erase it