Suggested books for new CFI student?

[woutlaw]

...

On a related note. What format do you guys follow when writing lesson plans?

Also, is the cost of training for the CFI (books, instruction, etc) tax deductible?

I used Greg Gordon's lesson plan format as a starting point (http://greggordon.org/flying/privatePilot.htm) then modified mine to fit the way my brain works.

An example of my slow-flight lesson plan is here.

The lesson outlines in the Gliem books are very good as well. The important thing is that you're able to actually teach the lesson (duh, I suppose) so I don't believe the exact format really matters as long as it makes sense to you as an instructor.

I started out using existing lesson plans and quickly switched to creating my own because it worked out better for me that way.

Dunno about the tax deductions. I have kept reciepts for everything, but my initial understanding is that the training costs to obtain the CFI aren't tax deductible. However, once you are a CFI you can deduct things related to your business (headsets, charts, flights to maintain proficiency, etc...)

Of course, I'm not an accountant so don't take it as gospel.

There's also the philosophy that everything is deductible until an audit. Personally, I'm a little more conservative than that.

 

[Goose Egg]

Does the DPE or FAA examiner expect to see complete lesson plans for private and commerical instruction? Or just a couple of samples.

Good question. Basically, a couple of samples. The CFI PTS calls for the applicant to teach two lessons during the oral examination, one from a "technical subject area" and one from the list of maneuvers. My two were flight controls and Lazy 8's. If I remember right, there isn't a requirement that there be an actual "lesson plan," but it is at least highly advisable to have one, if for no other reason than it will help you stay organized, thourough, and on topic during a stressful situation. And memory serves, the examiner did ask to see my plans for those two subjects. I did not know what lessons I was to teach ahead of time, and I did not want to be caught unprepared, so I made sure that I had a lesson plan for every technical subject area or maneuver that the examiner could ask me about. It was a lot of work getting all those together, but then again, I did pass first try.

Hope this helps,

-Goose

 

[Sppedmode]

I'll second "The Savy Instructor". It's been 6-7 years, but I still remember that book being one of my favorites.

 

[JSky26]

Thanks for the insight guys!

 

[Burt Reynolds]

For when you start getting tired of turns around a point in the 100° heat and are thinking of moving on to bigger and better things... :

Hard Landing : The Epic Contest for Power and Profits That Plunged the Airlines into Chaos by Thomas Jr Petzinger

For remembering why you got into this business in the first place:

Fate is the Hunter by Ernest Gann

Good luck with the CFI! You're definitely doing the right thing.

 

[AWACO]

What ever your college instructor recommends as a text for the business degree you should be getting.

 

[NuGuy]

I would personally recommend the "Gaining Public Assistance" series from whatever state you live in. There are great tips in there about housing, food, child care, etc.

There is also the very sucessful "How to Live Off Your Parents for Years and Not Feel Guilt" line of books.

Beyond that, I can also recommend "Filing Bankruptcy for Dummies"

Nu

 

[Flic1]

"Careers Outside of Aviation for Dummies"

 

[ReverseSensing]

Suggested books for new CFI student?

Checkbook.

 

[JSky26]

Haha, thanks for the humor guys. You know, maybe I am making a mistake getting into this field, but I know that I am the one that has to experience it in order to make that decision myself...its just the way I work. It's all in perspective, I know what I am getting into.... I mean just browsing through FI for an hour and anyone can paint the picture of this industry... It's just something that I've always wanted to do.

Guess thats it..thanks for the suggestions otherwise