Standardize quality. Lift outcomes. Give every instructor a playbook I'd sign my name to.

Nate Ehlers
CFI, CFII, MEI, USAF C-17 Instructor Pilot & Major Airlines Pilot
8,500+
Flight Hours
5,000+
Turbine Hours
CFI/CFII/MEI
Ratings
Five stars icon
4.8/5 from 400+ reviews

What Pilots Say

Backseat Pilot has helped thousands of pilots go from anxious and uncertain to confident and ready - faster than they thought possible.

Thank you!

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for everything you do. Your products were a major part of my success in earning my CFI, CFII, and MEI back in 2017, and they've remained an invaluable resource throughout my aviation career.

I am currently an active-duty U.S. Naval Officer and have been serving for the last 21 years. Since 2017, while concurrently serving on active duty, I've also worked part-time as a CFI to gain the experience needed for my post-Navy career goal of becoming an airline pilot. During that time, I've had the privilege of teaching roughly 300 students, including about 20 who went on to earn their flight instructor certificates. Every one of those instructor candidates has followed my recommendation to purchase the "Whole Shebang" just as I did. The clarity and practicality of your material truly set the standard, and I still use them almost daily while instructing.

Your products have helped me far beyond my initial instructor ratings. I relied on them again to refresh my knowledge while preparing for my ATP and 737 type rating, which I obtained in 2021, and that solid foundation made a significant difference.

I'll continue sending my future instructor candidates your way because I genuinely believe in the value you provide to the aviation community. Thank you for everything you do to support pilots at every level.

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KJ

Review for The Whole Shebang

Stop reading reviews and just buy it. There is an unbelievable amount of high-quality content in this package. As the description reads, there are Word files, Excel files, PowerPoint files, PDF copies of all of it, compiled Word files with navigation and bookmarks for easy cross referencing, syllabi, extra endorsement plans, etc. I could go on for past the character limit of this review. Consider it this way: the Whole Shebang is $175. I instruct out of a small airport in a corn field so my rate is $45/hr. Is this set of documents more than I could do in just under 4 hours? Yes, and it's not even a close race. Stop reading and just buy it.

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Bo Landess

Best money you will spend! Get the "Whole Shebang"!

The Backseat Pilot lesson plans are simply some of the best money you will spend in aviation! They are incredibly comprehensive and the ebook is a fantastic format, allowing easy and efficient access on your iPad. These lesson plans have literally saved me hundreds of hours. They are not simply to pass the checkride, I know I'll be referring to them throughout my flying career. I bought the "Whole Shebang", and it was well worth it. The BSP reference card is the best I have seen, and is definitely a permanent addition to my knee board.

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Garrett Point

Great Products!

I have been using The Backseat Pilot's products for years now. I passed my CFI and CFI-I check rides using their lesson plans and I continue to use them for my students now. Their VFR/IFR reference card is permanently attached to my kneeboard and now The Holds reference card will also be permanently attached. The Backseat Pilot has great products that are continuously updated. The Whole Shebang package is great for CFI candidates! Thanks Nate, you guys are doing a great job!

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B. PARKS

Just buy it all!

After searching for the better part of a year for a solid 'kit' to start my Initial CFI from, I found "The Backseat Pilot". I can count on one hand the number of product reviews I have written online... I am rarely so impressed with a product/service and its value that I am willing to write anything.

But... "The Backseat Pilot" kits are different - they are all EXCEPTIONALLY well written, well researched and great as a basis for an expanded kit of your own making or as complete standalone options.

The Whole Shebang is without a doubt one of the BEST VALUES in all of aviation!

I used the ASE CFI kit for my Initial CFI and passed without a hitch the FIRST TIME!    Just buy them - you won't regret it!

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Anthony Jones

How it Works

Streamline your preparation with Backseat Pilot's resources, so you can focus on flying and teaching.
Man with glasses sitting on a couch reading a notebook while looking at a laptop screen.

Standardize

Create a more consistent student experience with ACS-aligned lesson plans, slide decks, and syllabi your instructors can use across the school.
Two people inside a small airplane cockpit, one adjusting controls and the other holding the yoke during sunset.

Support

Give your instructors professional teaching materials that reduce prep time, improve lesson delivery, and help students retain more.
Front view of a twin-engine propeller airplane on a runway at sunset with spinning propellers.

Expand

Support more students and instructors with a training system that makes curriculum delivery easier, onboarding smoother, and growth more manageable.

Pilots who used Backseat Pilot now fly for

Transform Your Flight School

Three pillars of operational excellence

Prep

  • Curriculum alignment with ACS standards
  • Structured oral exam preparation
  • Student progress tracking tools
  • Consistent quality across all CFIs

Operate Smarter

  • Centralized content management
  • Streamline instructor teaching
  • Reduced prep time per lesson
  • Fully customizable lessons and slides

Grow Enrollment

  • Co-branded training materials
  • Partner referral programs
  • Enhanced school reputation
  • Student success stories

Proven Results

-98%
Training Material Development
Average reduction
12%
Increased pass rate
Knowledge and Oral
-75%
Instructor Prep Time
Hours saved weekly

CFI Success Stories

Hear from pilots who've used BSP to achieve their goals
"I really recommend it to help you organize and teach."
Mark Ladwig
CFI-I & Former Olympian
"Oh my god, what a time saver... I recommend it without question."
Mike R.
CFI

Share Your BSP Success Story

Share about your BSP experience. Get featured + BSP Wingman bonus if published.

Ready to Transform Your Flight School?

See how Backseat Pilot can standardize training, improve pass rates, and strengthen your school's reputation

Backseat Pilot's Guarantee

Built by experience. Backed by commitment.

Always Current

FAA-aligned updates and consistent improvement

Built by Experience

8,500+ hours, incl. 5,000 turbine

Risk-free for Instructors

30-day pledge

Mission Check

"Does this help CFIs teach better, faster, safer?"

FAQ

A few of our most common questions. Find more answers to your questions on our FAQ page.

Still have questions?

Can I use the lessons on my checkride?

Definitely! Many pilots have (and passed)! We do, however, recommend that you use our lessons to supplement your own or go through and add/remove/edit the information to ensure you're well prepared for the checkride and are comfortable with the format and flow of the lessons.

And the FAA agrees. Straight from the Aviation Instructor's Handbook:
"Commercially developed lesson plans are acceptable for most training situations, including use by flight instructor applicants during their practical tests. However, all instructors should recognize that even well-designed preprinted lesson plans may need to be modified. Therefore, instructors are encouraged to use creativity when adapting preprinted lesson plans or when developing their own lesson plans for specific learners or training circumstances." (Page 7-9)

What formats is the content delivered in?

Whatever works for you! All content is provided as:

  • PC: Word & PowerPoint
  • Mac: Pages & Keynote
  • PDF

They also work great with Google Docs & Slides.

AND all documents are provided as individual files as well as eBooks with full navigation!

How do I download the content?

After checkout you'll be provided instructions to create an account on the website. The account is tied to the email address used when you place the order.


Login whenever you need to and access the most current content.

How do the updates work?

As content is added or updated, you'll receive an email summarizing the updates. Login to your account, click the My Digital Content button, and you're set!

Are there any subscription fees or future costs?

Nope! Leave the updates to us. One cost, free updates for life. The goal is to continue finding ways to add value without adding costs.

Pilot wearing headphones operating controls inside a small airplane cockpit with multiple digital flight instruments and navigation displays.

Pick your path to the left seat

CFI CANDIDATE

I'm a CFI Candidate

No guesswork. Pass faster with Nate’s system and complete CFI lesson plans.
INSTRUCTOR

I’m a Flight Instructor (CFI)

Teach better. Build hours. Open doors. Get the airline path guide.
SCHOOL

We’re a Flight School

Higher pass rates. Happier students. Stronger brand. Standardize quality across all CFls.
BSP Wingman™

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