First month as a CFI...

[bobbysamd]

Really . . . .

I had a pretty wild experience today teaching an approach to landing stall in an F33A Bonanza. I am quite familiar with the plane however I was not expecting the student to do what they did. A hard break to the left followed by full power nose down can make things interesting quick. I can't even imagine doing stalls at night in any Bonanza...or any plane for that matter.

I agree. And, it gets really dark at night around Farmington.

Mooneys also have, shall I say, unexpected stall characteristics, as compared to Cessna and Piper. We used MO20s (M20J) at FSI for Commercial Single and CFI training. You really have to keep the controls coordinated and the ball centered or else it'll pitch down and drop left wing real fast. The gracious folks at this Fortune 500 company gave me one familiarization flight before turning me loose in it with students. I realize that if one is trained properly one can fly any airplane, but Mooneys are a rocket with a critical wing compared to Cessna, and Piper, with their Hershey wings.

PS-In no way am I denigrating Mooneys. They are slick airplanes and probably fly more like what you'll encounter on the line than Cessna or Piper. You really have to plan descents and manage power, especially in the pattern. With Cessna and Piper you can kind of fake it if you get too fast in the pattern or on final. If the airspeed gets too fast on final in a Mooney, you will never get it slowed down. The old axiom that a good landing is preceded by a good final which is preceded by a good base which is preceded by a good downwind is especially so with Mooneys.

 

[Northern Lights]

Yeah, what they all said!

I know we focus on landings cuz that's where they really try ti kill you, but be careful on the takeoffs too. Students often take out the crosswind correction on take off and send you for a wild ride.

One of my most memorable was a soft-field takeoff from a paved runway with a cross wind.

Student gets the nose up, but holds in full back pressure and basically stalls us off the ground. As I mentioned, he has now forgotten about the crosswind, and so here we are drifting off the left side of the runway about 5 feet off the ground buffeting and about to drop a wing in to the grass off the left.

I grabbed the controls, left wing over the grass, right wing over the runway, and tried to get the nose low enough to accelerate and get the wing fully flying, without losing any altitude. A few seconds later we were flying away safely above the runway, grass and lights that were way too close just a moment before!

I can only imagine what could have happened if he were solo, or I hadn't gotten control of the plane at that moment....

anhyhoo. have fun and be careful!!

 

[ShinerBocknabtl]

To the original post, you've got lotsa good advise and horror stories here to look upon, all of which is true. One thing in your post caught my attention and that was the fact that you are excited about your job and have a GREAT attitude.

If you keep that same attitude (and it'll be hard sometimes) then you will excel beyond your greatest expectations in your aviation career. Also, I don't know your age or background but your current job will help you grow in many areas other than simply manipulating the controls or navigating, communicating, etc. You'll notice a lot of personal development in people skills, problem solving, closer attention to detail, and the list goes on and on.

And one more thing, I liked it when you refered to the job as "joining the family" that sounds cool.

CYA

 

[falcondriver]

Congratulations, have fun instructing. I remember being in a spin at 2000 ft with full flaps and full power. The large student is screaming and holding on to me as we spiral to our death.
I stopped the spin and recovered. You can never tell what a student will do next.
Be careful
FD

 

[BoDEAN]

Question

What do you guys teach for the rudder when doing a power on stall. Our 172, we have to dance on the pedals to get in thestall, and when we stall, say the nose drops to the left....what do you teach your students with regard to rudder on the initial drop / recovery?

 

[Visceral]

Opposite rudder to that dropped wing, while maintaining coordination is what the AFH lays out.

 

[Sphincter Boy]

All in all, having a blast, now, only if more students come to me lol. In time though.

Let me know how it is after 2000hrs duel given.

 

[BoDEAN]

Update:

Hey guys.

We'll its going on 3 months as a CFI, and I have about 5 students. Things are going ok, but the weather (lake effect snow) is starting to hit us. We have 3 full time CFI's (including me) and one of them is leaving for a Flight Safety internship in January. So his students will be split between the Chief Flight Instructor and myself. The Chief isn't too happy where we work, and is actively looking for another job. He wants more multi time. He has about 1100 total hours, and only 100 multi. I don't blame him. I would like to be in an outfit that had a multi plane, so it would be worthwhile to get my MEI, and build some multi time.

The girl who trained me for my CFI, graduated from WMU a year before me, and already has 1200 total and 400 multi due to where she worked as a CFI (they had a king air for charter). She is now going to Mesa for training. Makes me wonder if I should resubmit an application at that FBO, and try again to get in there. Might be more beneficial for me in the long run. Still be able to give good training, but have a king air available to build those hours too. Only problem is, that FBO is 2 hrs from me, and my lease isnt up at my apartment til September 04.

 

[350DRIVER]

that FBO is 2 hrs from me, and my lease isnt up at my apartment til September 04.

I have a 1 + 40 minute commute to the airport from home so you would not be alone. Many pilots have much longer commutes than you or I and for the "time" and "experience" I surely would consider it if I were you.


3 5 0

 

[bobbysamd]

Should I stay or should I go?

The girl who trained me for my CFI, graduated from WMU a year before me, and already has 1200 total and 400 multi due to where she worked as a CFI (they had a king air for charter). She is now going to Mesa for training. Makes me wonder if I should resubmit an application at that FBO, and try again to get in there. Might be more beneficial for me in the long run. Still be able to give good training, but have a king air available to build those hours too. Only problem is, that FBO is 2 hrs from me, and my lease isnt up at my apartment til September 04.

Congratulations on your progress!

I recall before that you were concerned about having health insurance. Better be sure that the new job would offer it before your change jobs; if not, you could keep it from your old job under COBRA, but you would have to pay for it and take the accompanying hit in your pocketbook. Also, your lease is a hefty one to break. Finally, don't rely on promises of getting multi in the KingAir. A basic aviation axiom is that one shall not rely on an employer's promises.

 

[norskman2]

Gizbug,

Congrats on the CFI job, and keep up the enthusiasm!

In the endless quest for more students, go back and look at some of the old threads on CFI marketing and drumming up students.

If you're not already, attend WINGS seminar and AOPA Town Hall meetings and pass out cards to the pilots. hang out on the tarmac and talk to pilots -- you never know who needs a biennial or is looking to add an IFR rating. Check the local flying clubs. Those that don't have an in-house CFI or CFII keep a list of club-recommended instructors.

AOPA has some sort of a "Introduction to Flying" kit for people interested in learning to fly. AOPA will send you a bunch of them for free -- pass them out to people you meet who are interested in flying lessons.

Good luck!

AOPA

 

[mizzouguy]

gizbug

I have been a professional flight instructor for going on 8 years and still love it. Although I get to fly charter in a c 414 and fly a mu 300 around instructing is still my passion and where my heart is. I dont teach too many primary students any more but do stage checks and checkrides with them. One key to being a good instructor is remember the stuff that was hard for you. Not everyone (not most people) are naturals at this. Patience is truly a virtue in this business. Its good to hear a young CFI say he likes instructing. Its certainly not a career for everyone but it has been for me. Hang in there and be careful