Rating a CFI

[nosehair]

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.

There it is: the single most important easy-to-see & evaluate point to consider when scheduling/talking with a potential instructor.

 

[Geoff Huppe]

I think you are correct! preflight, flight,debrief sounds like a simple yet effective system. Isn't this the way military flying works?

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

A sure sign of an instructor that doesn't care about what his/her student learns that day is when the CFI says, "Hi, I'm John/Jane, go prefilght and I'll see you at the plane."

It may be that that CFI can be great if he/she really wants to be, but that day the student isn't getting their money's worth.

Your comments are welcome.

 

[SBD]

A good CFI will put his students first before all the management B.S. Yes you must obey company policies but know how to bend them to make sure your student is getting something out of it. It's their dime so make sure they are happy with the end results (your students). Also if your CFI is sober for the day he/she is good to go. Safe flying!

 

[flyer172r]

Signs of a good instructor, according to my own meandering experience:

-He says he doesn't know something but will get back to you, and then actually does get back to you with the information

-He makes sure you don't do a single maneuver in the air that you haven't discussed on the ground

-If it's his first time flying with you, he takes the time to find out how far you've really progressed before he gives a lesson too far ahead for you

-Doesn't just say what you're doing wrong, but also offers suggestions on how to improve

-Never, ever belittles you or your concerns/fears

-Avoids a "do as I say, not as I do" attitude

-Takes the time to try to get to know you as a person, while maintaining a professional relationship

 

[cobraman]

I have no idea why I bother screwing with the website. Oh yeah, I remember! YOU stereotypical hypocrite! How dare you spout crap about us you know NOTHING about??? You blew off DCA's policies and they almost canned you for not doing your job. Good thing I wasn't your boss. I'd sent you packing the first day I saw you! 98% of the instructors here work their tails off for their students and you ********************ING know this!

 

[VNugget]

Signs of a good instructor, according to my own meandering experience:
-He says he doesn't know something but will get back to you, and then actually does get back to you with the information

Or even better, "let's research it together"

 

[cobraman]

You've got nowhere else to go and are hanging on pathetically for the "guaranteed interview" crap they've brainwashed all you guys with.

You gave them money for a CFI/CFII so you BOUGHT into it too! You have options, good, don't EVER think you'll be able to use them if I'm around.

 

[Alamanach]

Would it be too much to ask for there to be one lousy thread that doesn't devolve into an anti-DCA dogfight? I met a guy who's considering a private pilot's license, and I was going to refer him to this thread for tips on finding a good instructor. But now you two twerps have p!ssed all over it. Please knock it off already.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Could someone what is DCA?