Which of the following best describes a flight instructor's responsibilities?

A flight instructor's primary responsibility is to supervise the training and progress of their students, particularly during solo flights. This role includes ensuring that students are adequately prepared to fly independently, assessing their skills, and providing guidance on safety and operational procedures. A flight instructor must evaluate a student’s decision-making abilities, adherence to regulations, and overall readiness to conduct solo flights, which are critical phases in pilot training.

While acting as a commercial pilot, maintaining aircraft, and managing finances are important responsibilities within an aviation context, they do not directly relate to the specific duties of a flight instructor. Commercial pilots operate aircraft for hire, aircraft maintenance involves technical skills and knowledge, and financial management pertains to the administrative side of a flight school. The direct oversight and mentorship during a student’s path to becoming a pilot are what define the instructor's core responsibilities.