For Instructors II

[gnx99]

I am a fairly new CFI and I keep worrying that I'm not teaching my students everything I could. I'm sure I'm overreacting, but when I think back on flights, I keep remembering little things that I could have mentioned, but didn't.

There is just so much information, it seems like it's impossible for them to do it all.

Am I overreacting?

 

[flywest]

As a fairly new CFI myself, I sometimes felt that I was ripping my students off (for the first few months, anyway). I was forgetting to tell them this or that, just as you are now.

When you students make mistakes, you expect them to learn from them, and correct them next time, right? The same goes for us as instructors. Recognise your deficiencies, correct and learn from them, and work to improve your performance next time around.

What has really worked for me is sending my students on the occasional "stage check" with another instructor (even though I fly at a part 61 flight school). The other instructor then evaluates my performance and effectiveness as an instructor, based on my students actions. Works great!
Sounds like you are doing fine! Always remember to keep learning . .

Good Luck,
FlyWest

 

[stingray]

For the things you thought you should have mentioned to your students, write them done and bring it up on their next lesson.

The student is not the only one learning.

Fly Safe

 

[a-v-8er]

Also remember that it's not your responsibility to tell them everything, but rather guide them and show them where to find further information a lot of times...

It's very overwhelming if you'd try to teach them everything there could be to know about aviation - did your instructor(s) do that for you? Point them in the right direction and guide! It still shows that you care though, since you bring the question up... most students will see how you go about doing things and learn from it (even when you don't tell them each and every detail during your flights and/or post flights).

You can't make a pilot out of someone unless they want to become a pilot and are willing to work for it. Direction and guidance, motivation and leading by example! There's more to the FOI's than one might have thought about when training for the CFI...

 

[350DRIVER]

Don't worry so much about teaching the students "everything" you could during any given lesson or flight since when all is said and done there is ALWAYS something that we could have added, taught, shown, did something differently, changed, avoided, skipped, deleted from the lesson, etc, etc, etc, ..... after a particular instructing flight is over and said and done with> be more concerned with what had taken place and HOW "next" flight YOU can change to make the experience for the student a better one. You can't go back and redo the flight so take the experience and IF something was "accidently" left out that was required per the FAR's, PTS, AIM, or other sources pertinent to the student's training then make sure you put special emphasis on the left out areas during your next flight. I have yet to meet one pilot who was "perfect".

Keep your chin up and instruct with pride since with all do respect the FAA thinks that YOU are qualified to be a CFI or else you would not have the ticket. The more time that you instruct the more confidence that you will gain as well as being able to identify a "slip" on your part and be able to correct it during any given situation.


A few things that may help you would be as follows- 1)Use the Jepp 141 syllabus even if you are instructing in a part 61 atmosphere. The school I instruct at is strictly 61 and it is quite evident that the CFI's that don't use an approved 141 course outline are "costing" there students in more ways than one due to the lack of any standardization, course, or set program. Usually these students take much longer to complete there training and this is currently being addressed.

2) Stay current on the FOI, FAR's, AIM, and every now and again I would suggest looking at the Aviation instructor's handbook since it is always good to refresh your knowledge. There is so much information, suggestions, technique's, opinions, facts, etc, etc, etc, out there that a good CFI will always be trying to continue to better his teaching methods.

3) Network with other CFI's and compare your teaching methods to their's and always ask yourself "is there a better or easier way of teaching a certain manuever or task to a student"??

4) There is a wealth of information on the internet. I would bookmark certain websites and continuously refer to them every so often. Jepp has a great "refresher" course for CFI's that I would highly suggest. Many valuable links and other sites there..

5) Lesson Plans- Attempt to make your own up for each lesson and establish certain aspects of training that you "specialize" in and know those areas very well.

6) Try and attend the free FAA sponsored safety clinics and workshops. Much info and alot of experienced CFI's usally will speak on certain topics and areas that they specialize in.

These are just a few things that I found to be very beneficial early on when I was a newly minted CFI. The great thing about the instructing world is that no two cfi's will be alike- be "unique" and be yourself and I am sure you will be able to make a positive impact on your students training.


3 5 0

 

[350DRIVER]

< ( awaiting the much anticipated posting by bobbysamd



3 5 0

( the carpet has been laid out )

 

[jdru25]

A flight instructor "learns from experience" as all of us learned in our FOI training. I feel that I have learned a great deal of knowledge through teaching. It has kept me sharp and very proficient in my flying skills. Pay close attention to everything you do as an instructor, you will learn something new everyday you teach. I felt I was forgeting stuff when I started instructing, but as I gained more experience teaching I felt that my students were doing better and better as I improved my instuction.

 

[bobbysamd]

New instructor feedback and learning by doing

Thanks for the intro, Mr. 350.

What has really worked for me is sending my students on the occasional "stage check" with another instructor (even though I fly at a part 61 flight school). The other instructor then evaluates my performance and effectiveness as an instructor, based on my students actions. Works great!

That's exactly what I did with my first Private signoff. I was teaching him under Part 61. I was pretty sure that he was ready, but not 100%. So, I had a friend fly with him and she said that he did fine. I wanted to send him to a particular examiner whom I liked and who had treated me fairly on three rides. He wasn't available, so I ended up sending him to an examiner whom I liked but had a reputation of being tough. He did fine with her. It's a great feeling.

You indeed learn through experience, which is another reason why flight instructing provides such a valuable background to new pilots. It is impossible to teach a student "everything." There will always be some little something that you didn't go over. It usually is no big deal and it may be something that the examiner unearths and teaches to your student. You will find as you continue with your instructing that the feedback you receive from your students after their practicals will guide you on the highly specific details upon which you should focus.

The PTS is an excellent test guide (not to mix terminology because the predecessor to PTSs were FAA "practical test guides"). Take a look at each and every element and satisfy yourself that your students are competent at each before sending them for their checkrides. Push them on their flying. Hold them to higher completion standards than specified in the PTS. You'd be surprised at how well primary students can hold airspeed, heading and altitude if you motivate them to do so.

Also, you can draw from your own experience as a student, both the positives and negatives. How well prepared did you feel when you went up for your Private? Did you have any weak areas? If so, bone up and emphasize them to your students.

Depending on where you learned to fly, you might adapt your school's training syllabus to your needs as a Part 61 instructor. There is a sample Private Pilot syllabus in the back of the FOI that you can use. I know that if I went back to instructing and absent any syllabus provided to me, I probably would dig out my old Riddle materials and use them.

Hope that helps. I know that at the beginning that you go through a great deal of uncertainty as to whether students are really ready for checkrides. There is nothing like a "pass" to bolster your confidence.

Good luck with your instructing.