The Sizzler
Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2003
- Posts
- 15
I am currently using the WIA program to finish my MEI and ATP. A few problems loom though. First my instructor, he is very unorganized, unprepared, talks casually with other instuctors who interupt our briefs, and he never seems to want to do ground school. I myself have instructed for 4 years full time and I feel I am quite capable of determining positive qualities of a flight instructor, in fact I was assistant chief instructor when I was laid off so I was involved in the supervision and hiring of new instructors for our 141 program. , so I feel I am well aware of what I like to see in a CFI.
That being said (just so you know my background) I am very open minded and believe I can always learn something new from those who have both less and more experience then I do. I hope no one thinks I’m just jumping on this guys case or trying to automatically be critical of him, nothing could be further then the truth. My real issues are the things I will briefly mention below. I take the MEI VERY Seriously, I’m a firm believer it may be one of the easiest and fastest ratings but will kill you just as fast if you are not proficient and comfortable with instructing in a twin engine aircraft from the right seat. I made it very clear to the instructor that I had not been in a twin for over 2 years and that I would really like to go over the important ground lessons that differentiate a single from a twin. Normally we fly only two days a week b/c I picked up a full time job (not flying related) and out of 7 flights or so thus far, I have had only one ground lesson and only b/c I absolutely insisted. At times when I bring these issues up he says “you look proficient” but the fact is, I feel far from it, and have conveyed this but he almost disregards what I say with comments like “oh your more ready then you think” To which I’m thinking, you know its one thing to look proficient and another to be proficient, and that’s just for regular flying, for instructing you must be 10 times that (in my opinion). So again I’m not really asking for advise for this situation of dealing with the CFI, that I already know what Im probably going to do. Again I’m just trying to give some background information while leading up to what I’m about to ask.
So Ill cut to the chase, I want to finish the MEI and forget the ATP. But being that I’m on the WIA program I’m not sure if anything bad might happen if I pull out short of what the government thinks I’m completing. Will I have to explain to my case worker why I’m doing this? Most importantly, could I end up owing money to anyone b/c Iv altered my plan? Should I convey my true concerns to the case worker or tell him somthing else? The final kicker to me deciding to cut short was b/c the instructor tried to tell me he wants me to take the ATP ride a WEEK after the MEI ride. There is no way in the world I can just jump to the left seat, and learn all the ATP maneuvers in one week, remembering now that we only meet twice a week for two hours, and also taking into account that the ATP requires instrument approaches, for which I have done zero thus far in the twin. I about laughed in the guys face and told him what I really thought. This is but one issue of many, and if you’re about to suggest a different instructor, sorry most of them at this location are all like this for the most part, I know this only b/c I have carefully asked around and had my own observations. I just don’t want fallout from bailing from the WIA. What is also disappointing is that they are the only local school who is approved for WIA. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated. Thanks
That being said (just so you know my background) I am very open minded and believe I can always learn something new from those who have both less and more experience then I do. I hope no one thinks I’m just jumping on this guys case or trying to automatically be critical of him, nothing could be further then the truth. My real issues are the things I will briefly mention below. I take the MEI VERY Seriously, I’m a firm believer it may be one of the easiest and fastest ratings but will kill you just as fast if you are not proficient and comfortable with instructing in a twin engine aircraft from the right seat. I made it very clear to the instructor that I had not been in a twin for over 2 years and that I would really like to go over the important ground lessons that differentiate a single from a twin. Normally we fly only two days a week b/c I picked up a full time job (not flying related) and out of 7 flights or so thus far, I have had only one ground lesson and only b/c I absolutely insisted. At times when I bring these issues up he says “you look proficient” but the fact is, I feel far from it, and have conveyed this but he almost disregards what I say with comments like “oh your more ready then you think” To which I’m thinking, you know its one thing to look proficient and another to be proficient, and that’s just for regular flying, for instructing you must be 10 times that (in my opinion). So again I’m not really asking for advise for this situation of dealing with the CFI, that I already know what Im probably going to do. Again I’m just trying to give some background information while leading up to what I’m about to ask.
So Ill cut to the chase, I want to finish the MEI and forget the ATP. But being that I’m on the WIA program I’m not sure if anything bad might happen if I pull out short of what the government thinks I’m completing. Will I have to explain to my case worker why I’m doing this? Most importantly, could I end up owing money to anyone b/c Iv altered my plan? Should I convey my true concerns to the case worker or tell him somthing else? The final kicker to me deciding to cut short was b/c the instructor tried to tell me he wants me to take the ATP ride a WEEK after the MEI ride. There is no way in the world I can just jump to the left seat, and learn all the ATP maneuvers in one week, remembering now that we only meet twice a week for two hours, and also taking into account that the ATP requires instrument approaches, for which I have done zero thus far in the twin. I about laughed in the guys face and told him what I really thought. This is but one issue of many, and if you’re about to suggest a different instructor, sorry most of them at this location are all like this for the most part, I know this only b/c I have carefully asked around and had my own observations. I just don’t want fallout from bailing from the WIA. What is also disappointing is that they are the only local school who is approved for WIA. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated. Thanks
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