CFI's - How long to get a routine down?

[BoDEAN]

How long did it take you to get a good routine down with instructing? Been at it since September 2003, and I still am kind of up and down with my teaching. Having trained people from the first intro flight, I am kind of learning as I go with them on how things should be done, what to teach, etc etc.

Kind of scary in a way, but keeps me on my toes. Like I haven't taught a cross country to a student yet, but 2 of them are coming up to that. It's all new water for me and them =P

 

[hobbsmeter]

It's been a while since I last instructed, and I don't know if I ever got it to be "routine", but I know what you're trying to say.
Obviously the longer you keep at it the easier it'll become, and once you do a certain task (teaching cross countries, emergency descents etc.) a few times with different students you'll develop a feel for what is right and what isn't. I can only say "go with the flow", try to read into what your student is thinking and respond accordingly, and keep it fun! Don't ever let it become routine, even the 1000th time around the traffic pattern give 110% to that student cuz s/he deserves your best and they will try to do the same for you.

PS: Be honest about being a "newbie" too. If you don't know something offhand look it up together. You're there to teach your student but more often than not your student will teach you as well

 

[Northern Lights]

It problably sounds trite, but you will always be learning. Even after 1000 dual given you will still find new ways to teach and gain new understanding of things.

I would guess that after you put at least 3 students through a particular course of training you get a "flow" going.

I found that my ground instruction improved greatly after teaching a particular topic 3 or 4 times.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

believe it or not...

as a brand new instructor you are probably doing a better job than some more "experienced" CFI's. Burnout is quick and painfully obvious in the CFI jobs (Oh you will get there too)

I second the post that says just be honest, they dont expect you to know it all. Its all about the attitude.

Are you working at a school with a charter/freight running department?? Thats always a big plus...I would say dont waste much time at places that are strictly schools....

anyways..

crank out the hours and get it over with!!

 

[BoDEAN]

My school has a charter department. The boss flys those unless an SIC is needed.

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI routine

It helps greatly if your school has SOPs and a syllabus, which makes Part 141 helpful to instructors as well as students. Once you've run your students through the course a few times you will have all the procedures down and you will be more sure of yourself.

Not being in a Part 141 school shouldn't get you down. Develop your own SOPs and syllabus. During my first several months as a CFI, I was on my own. I taught the same way I learned, hopefully more effectively, took my students to the same airports for solo, on the same cross-countries, and sent them on the same cross-countries where I was sent. I tweaked all this along the way. When I went to work at Part 141 ERAU, I was set. I was trained in ERAU standardization. I had to learn along the way where to go for cross-countries, but that came along with time and I developed a routine.

It's all part of the experience-gathering process, which makes instructing so valuable for new pilots. Continued good luck with your efforts.

 

[illinipilot]

I taught part-time during college at a place with no sylabus. I think that is the most fun and rewarding 'cause you are able to do a little research and find one that you like i.e. Jeppsen, King, etc. If you don't like any of them then make up your own. I think it's nice for the students to have, they are able to see their progress. Also it's rewarding for the instructor to see a student finish using his/her guidelines

 

[Timebuilder]

You mentioned that you have some cross country students coming up. Maybe the most important thing to impress on them is what to do if they have a problem along the way, like becoming "lost." ASK FOR HELP.

Another tip that many schools use for student cross countries is to only authorize airports with two runways, which reduces the likelihood of a strong crosswind component, particularly this time of year.

Like Bobby said, develop your own routine. Ask other instructors, including the ones here if you have a doubt.