Feel like crap

[Clownpilot]

>>I just feel like my first few months CFIing has really been up and down... I enjoy it, but some things about it just piss me off. Will this pass over time, with more dual given?

Just looking for some insights... kinda "off my rocker" in the CFI world right now. [/B][/QUOTE]>>

With 350 hours you shouldn't be telling anybody anything about their future in aviation. You don't have enough experience to make any decision on this person's future. You did your job. You made an decision based upon your assessment of the situation. Now it is time to pass this student on to another instructor with a much broader range of experience to see if he agrees with your conclusion. A more experienced instructor may see something you didn't or may have an approach that will work with this student that hasn't occured to you. Either way, you are done with this student. Your technique doesn't work for him. You may be right about him. But this guy definitely needs a second opinion from another doctor.

 

[uwochris]

Chicaga,

If the student you speak of failed groundschool, his written, the oral, etc... I don't think the problem lays in your teaching style. You sound like a very dedicated new CFI who just wants his students to succeed- if the guy is not motivated and he just slacks everything, than it's time for him to find a new profession. Don't feel bad, you did the right thing.

From many instructors I have spoken with, they always tell me that there is nothing worse than an unmotivated student. Perhaps that wasn't the case with Chicaga's student, but by the sounds of it, he didn't seem to put much effort in his work.


Good luck CFIiing.

 

[spitfire1940]

Hey Chicago,

Maybe before you give up on the guy completely you should let him fly with a more senior instructor, then get that CFI's opinion.

Based on broader experience, another CFI may be able to tell you right off that the dude is hopeless. I kind of doubt the problem is all you if he failed the oral, etc.

Some people just weren't meant to fly. Before I became a CFI, I thought anybody with the desire could become a pilot could be one. That's not true. I've seen people who after three or four lessons couldn't fly straight and level--in cruise flight!

Sometimes there's nothing you can do.

At any rate, I hated being a 350-hour CFI and totally empathize with you. But hang in there! Sounds like you're doing your best. You'll get the experience and things will get easier.