Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 3000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Human-Machine Interface; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
While supervising a student conducting an instrument approach I noted that he/she had incorrectly selected the outbound radial [rather than its reciprocal inbound course] to comply with our ATC clearance. I noted this; and then waited a period to see if the student would correct the error. I eventually changed it for them and they started to debate with me. Then ATC called. In retrospect there had been a repeat of the same sort of errors with respect to a clearance. At the time I had the impression that they had cleared us for the approach and we shortly began a procedure turn. We hadn't deviated very far from the course when ATC advised that we weren't cleared and that we indeed should continue outbound. I began writing notes for the debrief in my new electronic flight bag (EFB) and continued to have things occur that required annotation. Unfamiliarity with the system to take notes efficiently diverted my attention from the student selecting the incorrect inbound course and by the time I noticed the error--by looking outside--we were almost one mile off course with less than 4 miles to go to the MAP. Embarrassing to say the least. Technology needs to serve its purpose and not be a distraction. As an instructor my 'second' priority is giving instruction; my 'first' must always be flying the airplane. Just because a student is advanced doesn't mean that they won't make mistakes.
An instructor providing IFR training in a C-172 allowed himself to get distracted by taking student error notes on a new EFB. As a result; he allowed/participated in a minor track deviation until advised by ATC.