A pilot training program is dependent on the quality of the  ground and flight instruction the student pilot receives. A good  flight instructor has a thorough understanding of the learning  process, knowledge of the fundamentals of instruction, and  the ability to communicate effectively with the student pilot. the need arises, to private individuals who are not FAA  employees. A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is a  private citizen who is designated as a representative of the  FAA Administrator to perform specific (but limited) pilot  certification tasks on behalf of the FAA and may charge a  reasonable fee for doing so. Generally, a DPE’s authority is  limited to accepting applications and conducting practical  tests leading to the issuance of specific pilot certificates  and/or ratings. A DPE operates under the direct supervision  of the FSDO that holds the examiner’s designation file.  A FSDO inspector is assigned to monitor the DPE’s  certification activities. Normally, the DPE is authorized to  conduct these activities only within the designating FSDO’s  jurisdictional area. A good flight instructor uses a syllabus and insists on correct  techniques and procedures from the beginning of training  so that the student will develop proper habit patterns. The  syllabus should embody the “building block” method of  instruction in which the student progresses from the known  to the unknown. The course of instruction should be laid  out so that each new maneuver embodies the principles  involved in the performance of those previously undertaken.  Consequently, through each new subject introduced, the  student not only learns a new principle or technique, but  broadens his or her application of those previously learned  and has his or her deficiencies in the previous maneuvers  emphasized and made obvious.  [Figure 1-8] The flying habits of the flight instructor, both during flight  instruction and as observed by students when conducting  other pilot operations, have a vital effect on safety. Students  consider their flight instructor to be a paragon of flying  proficiency whose flying habits they, consciously or  unconsciously, attempt to imitate. For this reason, a good  flight instructor meticulously observes the safety practices  taught to the students. Additionally, a good flight instructor  carefully observes all regulations and recognized safety  practices during all flight operations. The FAA selects only highly qualified individuals to be DPEs.  These individuals must have good industry reputations for  professionalism, high integrity, a demonstrated willingness to  serve the public, and adhere to FAA policies and procedures  in certification matters. A DPE is expected to administer  practical tests with the same degree of professionalism,  using the same methods, procedures, and standards as an  FAA ASI. It should be remembered, however, that a DPE is  not an FAA ASI. A DPE cannot initiate enforcement action,  investigate accidents, or perform surveillance activities on  behalf of the FAA. However, the majority of FAA practical  tests at the recreational, private, and commercial pilot level  are administered by FAA DPEs. The flight instructor is the cornerstone of aviation safety. The  FAA has adopted an operational training concept that places  the full responsibility for student training on the authorized  flight instructor. In this role, the instructor assumes the  total responsibility for training the student pilot in all the  knowledge areas and skills necessary to operate safely and  competently as a certificated pilot in the National Airspace  System (NAS). This training includes airmanship skills,  pilot judgment and decision-making, hazard identification,  risk analysis, and good operating practices. (See Risk  Management Handbook, FAA-H-8083-2).  [Figure 1-7] Figure 1-7. The flight instructor is responsible for teaching and  training students to become safe and competent certificated pilots. 1-7 Role of the Flight Instructor An FAA Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) has to meet  broad flying experience requirements, pass rigid knowledge  and practical tests, and demonstrate the ability to apply  recommended teaching techniques before being certificated.  In addition, the flight instructor’s certificate must be  renewed every 24 months by showing continued success  in training pilots or by satisfactorily completing a flight  instructor’s refresher course or a practical test designed  to upgrade aeronautical knowledge, pilot proficiency, and  teaching techniques.