Rating a CFI

[Tonala2k]

I want to keep this objective, and I would like every post to relate directly to this theme so we can create a real sense as to what a student pilot should look for in a CFI. Also, it would be great to give serious CFI's a chance to see how they're doing.

What makes a CFI worth paying for?

 

[Amish RakeFight]

What makes a CFI worth paying for?

Well for one your F**king safety. Especially if you're a student pilot. He's there to maintain a safe environment while you make mistakes and learn. A CFI has also invested a tremendous amount of time and money to develop skills and and knowledge which he/she imparts on the student. Thier certification and renewal should attest to this.

If a CFI has difficulty transfering this knoweldge and skill, it may be a personal thing. There are instructors who work well with various people and have the ability to teach well. Some instructors and students click better than others. It has a lot to do with common communication skills.

 

[timeoff]

What makes a CFI worth paying for?

One who makes it a point to teach something new every single lesson. They need to make it progressive and challenging, providing for an enjoyable training environment.

I have had instuctors that only stare at one guage, the hobbs. It really sucks sometimes when you get one of those. I did an aircraft checkout once that was 1.5, and .8 was slow flight out to the practice area and back. Talk about milking me.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Doesn't answer questions with "you don't need to know that".

 

[Geoff Huppe]

However, it seems as if this is the only way to build time in order to move on to a higher "plane". Doesn't the system breed this kind of indifference. I have been a teacher for 18 years in an inner city high school. One thing I do know is that teaching in not for everyone.

Unless you "pay to fly"; an aspiring FO must teach. I realize that teaching does make one better at the subject taught but I wonder who really is paying for the hours?

I like instructing but I really want to fly the "big iron" so to speak. I treat my students with dignity and respect and attempt to motivate them to do well. I am safe and I make mistakes. I learn every tme I fly.

Great topic.

 

[Tonala2k]

I'm loving this. Let's keep this going. Hopefully, after about a week of little nuggets I Can compile an impressive little summary to post. Let's keep talking it up because there are a lot of students out there who are having a real hard time with finding the right flight school and/or instructor. I want students to be able to tell the difference between a CFI and a great CFI. If not at first sight, at least with in the first 10hrs. I'm fed up with the image this business has, and I know it will only change as the ones financing it make the right choices with their money.

 

[Way2Broke]

If he/she sleeps on a couch at the airport they are worth every penny.

 

[Metro752]

They don't go out and buy a $22,000 Chevy pickup, and all the while you have been flying with them, they complain about being broke, and they charge you out the arse for ground.

 

[JAFI]

IMHO a good instructor can explain a concept to many students, a GREAT instructor will find out your background/knowledge level/experiences and explain a concept to you in a way that you specifically will relate to.

A great Instructor uses the fewest words with the greatest impact. Plans so far ahead that you don't even notice it is a plan. Listens to your questions to see more than the answer, but what other parts of that question that you may not understand.

Makes the lesson enjoyable so you cant wait till the next lesson.

And if the Instructor is tired at the end of the lesson but the student is not. The Instructor has it backwards. The student is not working hard enough.

Just a few thoughts.

JAFI

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Many good points have been previously mentioned in this thread already. But just the same I would like to comment that one of the best indicators of a good instructor, one that wants to teach his/her students the most in each lesson, is the CFI that schedules real time, maybe :30 min to 1-hour of preflight discussion-briefing on that day's flight. Such an instructor is most interested in teaching rather than just logging flight time for him/her self to count toward their next job.

Another important way to find the best CFI, is to talk to the examiners that give the flight tests in your area. Examiners have a good handle on which instructors are really taking the job seriously.