learns a new principle or technique, but also broadens his or  her application of those principles or techniques previously  learned. Insistence on correct techniques and procedures from  the beginning of training by the flight instructor ensures that  the student pilot develops proper flying habit patterns. Any  deficiencies in the maneuvers or techniques must immediately  be emphasized and corrected.  A flight instructor serves as a role model for the student pilot  who observes the flying habits of his or her flight instructor  during flight instruction, as well as when the instructor  conducts other pilot operations. Thus, the flight instructor  becomes a model of flying proficiency for the student who,  consciously or subconsciously, attempts to imitate the  instructor. For this reason, a flight instructor should observe  recognized safety practices, as well as regulations during all  flight operations.  The student pilot who enrolls in a pilot training program  commits considerable time, effort, and expense to achieve a  pilot certificate. Many times a student judges the effectiveness  of the flight instructor and the success of the pilot training  program based on his or her ability to pass the requisite  FAA practical test. A competent flight instructor stresses to  the student that practical tests are a sampling of pilot ability  compressed into a short period of time. The goal of a flight  instructor is to train the “total” pilot.  Flight training in the United States is conducted by FAA- approved pilot schools and training centers, non-certificated  (14 CFR part 61) flying schools, and independent flight  instructors. There are a limited number of part 141 balloon  training programs in the United States with most balloon  flight training being conducted by certificated commercial  balloon pilots authorized to instruct under the authority of  14 CFR section 61.133 (a)(2)(ii)(a). FAA-approved schools are flight schools certificated  by the FAA as pilot schools under 14 CFR part 141.  [Figure 1-2]  Application for certification is voluntary  and the school must meet stringent requirements for  personnel, equipment, maintenance, and facilities; and  teach an established curriculum which includes a training  course outline (TCO) approved by the FAA. A list of FAA  certificated pilot schools and their training courses can be  found in Advisory Circular (AC) 140-2, FAA Certificated  Pilot School Directory.  As noted above, the major source of balloon flight training  in the United States is conducted by certificated commercial  balloon pilots. Many of these individuals offer excellent  training and meet or exceed the standards required of FAA- approved pilot schools, but not all flight instructors are equal.  It is important for a student pilot to choose a flight instructor  wisely, because a balloon flight training program is dependent  upon the quality of the ground and flight instruction the  student pilot receives.  The FAA has developed Practical Test Standards  [Figure 1-3] for FAA pilot certificates and associated ratings. These  practical tests are administered by FAA ASIs and DPEs.  14 CFR part 61 specifies the areas of operation in which  knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the applicant.  Since the FAA requires that all practical tests be conducted  in accordance with the appropriate PTSs and the policies set  forth in the introduction section of the PTS book, the pilot  applicant should become familiar with this book during  training. The PTS book is a testing document and not intended to be  a training syllabus. An appropriately rated flight instructor  is responsible for training the pilot applicant to acceptable  standards in all subject matter areas, procedures, and  maneuvers. Descriptions of tasks and information on how to  perform maneuvers and procedures are contained in reference  and teaching documents, such as this handbook. A list of  reference documents is contained in the introduction section  of each PTS book.  Figure 1-2.  FAA-approved pilot school certificate. Sources of Flight Training  $^{ }$Practical Test Standards (PTS)  1-4