Recording a Debrief
Summary
Log a debrief after a training event by voice or typed notes. FlightSense processes your debrief and generates an AI summary that appears in your log and can be shared with your instructor for feedback. The voice path transcribes your recording; the typed path processes your written notes directly. Both produce the same structured log.
Who this is for
- Instructors recording post-lesson debriefs with students
- Students self-debriefing after solo or dual training events
Before you begin
- ACS standard selected: You must have an ACS standard set in your User Profile. If not configured, the app blocks the debrief with: "You must select an ACS standard in your User Profile to start a debrief."
- Microphone permission (voice only): Grant microphone access when prompted. If denied, enable it in iOS Settings > FlightSense > Microphone.
- Quiet environment (voice only): Background noise affects transcription quality. Phone calls or system alerts will cancel a voice recording automatically.
Steps
1. Start a new debrief
Open the Log tab and tap the more options button (•••) in the navigation bar. Select Log Debrief from the menu.
2. Select an instructor (optional)
If you have instructors linked to your account, the Select Instructor screen appears:
| Option | Result |
|---|---|
| Tap an instructor | Associates the debrief with them for feedback |
| Tap Skip | Proceeds without instructor association |
| Tap Cancel | Exits the workflow |
3. Record a voice debrief (default)
The debrief screen opens in voice mode. Recording starts automatically, and you'll see "Listening to Your Debrief" with animated audio bars showing input levels. If you pause, the title changes to "Recording Paused".
Speak clearly and describe the flight: what went well, areas for improvement, and any notable events.
Recording controls:
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Pause | Temporarily stops recording without losing audio |
| Resume | Continues recording from where you paused |
| Cancel | Discards the recording and exits |
| Complete | Finishes recording and submits for processing |
4. Switch to typed notes (optional)
If you'd rather write than talk, tap Type Notes Instead below the recording controls. This closes the microphone and opens a text field.
Typed mode is one-way—once you switch, you can't go back to voice for this debrief. Cancel and restart the debrief if you change your mind.
Tap the text field and describe the flight in your own words—the same kind of detail you would speak aloud. When you're finished, tap Submit.
You can write as much or as little as you like; longer, more specific notes produce better AI summaries.
5. Wait for processing
After you tap Complete (voice) or Submit (typed), the screen shows "Debrief Processing" with a spinner. FlightSense processes the debrief and generates your summary. When finished, the view closes automatically.
What happens next
- Your new flight appears in the Log with the AI-generated summary
- The debrief is visible to you and, if selected, your instructor
- ACS tasks mentioned in your debrief may be tagged for progress tracking
- You can view and edit flight notes from the flight detail screen
Common issues
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "You must select an ACS standard" error | No ACS standard in profile | Go to User Profile and select your ACS standard |
| "Microphone access is required to record debriefs. Please enable it in Settings." | Microphone permission denied | iOS Settings > FlightSense > enable Microphone (voice mode only) |
| Recording cancelled unexpectedly | Phone call or system alert interrupted audio | Restart the debrief in a quieter environment, or tap Type Notes Instead to switch to typed mode |
| "Unable to generate debrief log. Please try again later." | Upload or processing failed | Tap Retry Processing on the failed flight in your Log |
| "Failed to fetch instructors. Please try again later." | Network issue loading instructor list | Check your connection and try again |
How this works
Voice recording format: Audio is captured as MPEG4 AAC at 22kHz mono. The screen stays awake during recording to prevent interruption.
Processing: When you tap Complete, FlightSense processes the debrief on the backend—transcribing voice recordings or parsing typed notes—then runs AI summarization. Processing time depends on debrief length and network speed.
Failed uploads: If the upload fails, FlightSense saves the recording locally (voice mode). Failed uploads appear in your Log with a Retry Processing button. Tapping retry re-uploads the original audio file. The local copy is deleted only after successful processing.
Instructor association: Selecting an instructor links the debrief to them, allowing them to view your log and provide feedback. This is optional—skipping still creates a complete debrief record visible only to you.
Audio interruptions (voice only): If a phone call or system alert occurs during recording, the recording is automatically cancelled and the audio file is deleted. You'll need to start a new debrief. Typed notes are immune to audio interruptions—switch modes if you're somewhere prone to them.
Voice vs. typed notes: Both modes produce the same log record. Voice is faster in the moment and captures how you talk through a flight; typed notes give you time to organize thoughts and work in quiet environments where recording isn't appropriate.