What makes an ordinary CFI better?

[BoDEAN]

Having been a CFI for 8 months, I am staring to ponder this question; What makes a CFI better than the average CFI out there? Finishing his student under 50 hrs? Being available 24/7 for the student? What is your input on this? Want to be the best I can be, and have my students see that I am the best in the business (or at least at my airport heh)

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I know in my case, I will probably never forget the best instructor I ever had. So I'll explain him to you.

First of all he CARED about me. Most of the other instructors just didn't care like he did; I didn't see them excited when I work hard. He'd do everything in his power to not overcharge; always asked what I thought was reasonable for the time on the ground etc.

Another big key was I think he knew more than anyone did at his level I'd met. He studied and was prepared for each lesson in detail. Gave excellent briefs / debriefs. Knowledge was his best trait, along with caring.

One of the things he'd do, setting him apart from other instructors was the little things. For instance, he’d every so often before I’d arrive go out to the aircraft with sticky tabs, putting them in places I may miss on my Preflight. It always kept me on my toes while other instructors were sitting inside B-Sing; he was outside trying to make me improve.

He was simply passionate about Instructing, and was great at it.

I hope this helps. Also, just the fact that you are trying to be your best probably puts you ahead of your peers.

Fly safe bud,

TA

 

[midlifeflyer]

I like TA's answer. And the idea of describing a specific instructor as an example. And the idea that one who, in addition to having skill and knowledge, cares

My first instructor, a fellow named John Miller, had a falling out with management and left suddenly in the middle of my training, just before I was expecting to solo. "Oh crap," I thought.

But, as it turned out, John was a true professional. Apparently, although leaving very suddenly, John took the time to sit down and brief the instructors who were going to follow up with his students. So, when I came for my next lesson, my new instructor knew exactly where I was, what I had been doing, and where my weaknesses were. (No Jepp folder at this place) The result was that I soloed the second lesson after John left.

But the proof of John's commitment to his students came 5 months later when I passed my private checkride. When I returned from the test (I flew to another airport to take it), there was a card form John waiting for me, congratulating me on my accomplishment.

What makes one CFI better than another? I don't think it's flying skill. More likely it's teaching skill. But what really sets some CFIs apart is an attitude and a commitment that is the mark of the true "professional" in any field.

 

[bobbysamd]

Ordinary CFIs v. Great CFIs

What makes a CFI better than the average CFI out there?

I think I can boil it down into a few words: Showing That You Care.

My flight instructor told me when I first started flying that the instructor-student relationship is an intense one-on-one relationship. If you think about it from a student's perspective, you are paying someone to tell you how bad you are. Think about it. Along with delivering praise to your students, you are delivering major amounts of criticism, and not many people handle criticism well. Sometimes, you have to be blunt to make your point. But if you establish early in the relationship that you care about your students, they will accept criticism in the spirit that it is intended.

In some ways, flight instructors are like doctors. Just like doctors, there are flight instructors who are brilliant and possess great amounts of knowledge. One would figure that person is the instructor to have, but such people frequently cannot relate to new learners. There are instructors who are far more average but are far more effective because they relate better to students. Perhaps it is because they really care about doing a good job.

Some students expect their instructors to be at their beckon call; if not, they feel they don't care. That is not reasonable. But if you provide reasonable availability and devote your full attention to them during their time with you, that should be satisfactory. Showing you can finish a student in course times might be ego-gratifying for you, but may not be the best thing for the student. It is far more important that you train your student well, even if if takes more time.

Finally, I second the points above about being prepared. You may be annoyed when your student arrives at the airport unprepared, but students don't like it when their instructors are not prepared. You have to set the example. In an ideal world, instructors would draw up formal lesson plans for each individual lesson. In those terms, it's not practical, but you can do it in your mind.

Once more, take an interest in your students. Show them that you care for them and you are interested in their success and not how they add time to your logbook. Hope that helps.

 

[mizzouguy]

I fully agree with everything that is said. You have to care about your student. Don't be a time builder. Students know if you are. Don't teach them to pass a checkride, teach them to be a safe pilot. And the PTS is just a guide to show you what MINIMUM standards are. You should teach them to be above and beyond that.

 

[pilotman2105]

CFI Post

Excellent thread and thanks for the ideas guys. I've got my CFI ride on Friday, so this is all a great insight into the "real world" vs. the book world of CFIs. Plus, it makes you think back to the instructors that you had. Who was good and who was not so good. At least makes me want to pick the best qualities of all of them and try my best.

Thanks again.