PC12Cowboy said:
WWii..you must have spent a fortune at ari ben aviator...as far as instructing goes..not all of us will quit..I plan on instructing as long as the man upstairs and the FAA let me.....there is nothing like the first solo flight of a student...and the smile that never leaves thier faces...so obviously you experiences were not all good or you have a confidence problem...experiences are gained ...most are forgotten...but if your confidence in yourself or your abilities as a pilot are in doubt....(BY OTHERS) you will not be long for the world of professional aviators...
Scenic airlines is hiring in vegas with 600tt and 50 multi
I'm curious what made you think I spent a lot of moolah at the Aviator? Actually, I didn't. That was one of the great selling points of the school, plus when I completed the training I had some 200 hrs in a duchess and around 75 in a 172. All told, from the time I started training (.9TT when I went down there) I'd guess I ended up spending in the neighborhood of $35,000. That's the school's part, plus my ckride fees, books, everything. Unfortunately, I've heard horror stories of what some other schools rake in from pilots. Like any place, Aviator has its plusses and minuses, but I'd recommend the school to anyone looking to start training. Not saying I'd recommend everyone go there, because everyone is different, but it would definitely be worth someone's time to call down there and talk to them. If nothing else it would help serve as a comparison against other schools. Anyway, that's my two cents on that.
As for flight instructing, I know it shouldn't, but it bugs me how people read so much into a person's comments on these boards sometimes. Maybe it's a product of people just blowing some steam. No, I can't say I have any major confidence problems in the realm of piloting. Like you, one of my greatest thrills as a cfi has been soloing guys or signing them off to do their first x-c's. I remember how excited, nervous and proud I was at that point in my flying and I loved helping someone get to that same point in their own flying.
When it comes to how I viewed instructing, however, it is a job or profession. Some people are better at it than others. Some like it more than others. My hats off to anyone who really enjoys being a cfi. I had my moments where I really enjoyed it, but overall, I knew I wasn't the greatest fit for it. At times I was a bit of a square peg in the round hole. I had my strong points and my weak points like anyone. Yes, I put my heart in it, yes I worked hard, yes, I learned a great deal from the experience, yes, I do believe I was a better person for the experience, and yes, I believe my students became better pilots because they flew with me (I'm not saying I was Mr. All-Star CFI by any means). But did I want to keep doing it? No. If I would've known that was the only game going to get flight time, I would've mentally prepared myself to instruct longer. But it's not. So, I've been looking and thankfully, my searching paid off. I've got an interesting flying job now with much better pay than one would normally expect to get at this stage in the game.
As for the confidence, I have found there are highs and lows. I wouldn't want to fly with someone who was always lacking in confidence, but neither would I want to be in the same plane with someone who was smug in his/her abilities. I remember in my training there were times when I felt on top of the world and there were other times when I would ask myself how badly I wanted this and was I willing to sacrifice everything I that I would have to in order to become a professional pilot. Thankfully, I always have arrived at the same answer to that question.
As for others doubting another pilot's ability, I think that is just common sense. That goes for just about any field of work. It's nothing unique to aviation. Again, the square peg/round hole principle. Thankfully, one doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to be a professional pilot. Got to have some brains, but we don't have to be geniuses. Some smarts, some common sense, a willingness to learn, and perseverence seem to make for a pretty good pilot.
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