Originally Posted by
Joachim
I got hired today by a school in south FL. Its been a long and painfull journey but it happened. I got my first job. What advice do you experienced CFI's have for a new guy?
Thanks
Roselio
They are going to try their hardest TO KILL YOU.
You think I'm kidding?
Just wait.
1) Every person is different. Know that you MUST adapt your teaching style to meet each students needs.
2) You are going to make mistakes. When you do, call yourself out and discuss what would have been the correct action. You are human too. Don't play "Super CFI"
3) If you are not learning as much as your students, you are doing something wrong. Instructing is when a pilot truly becomes a pilot. You cannot imagine how much better you will be in 1 year.
4) They will try TO KILL YOU. Keep an eye on them, never get too comfortable with ANY student. It was always the "good" ones who scared me, simply because I wasn't expecting them to try to kill me.
5) Never sleep with your students. I'm serious, don't do it. For real. I don't care if she's hot. No. It's not worth it.... Yes I know she always wears a skirt and she lets it slide back when you are flying. You will get fired. Don't do it.
(happened to the CFI that I replaced back in the day...she was hot, let me tell you)
6) Always keep an open mind. Be yourself at all times.
An important one.... There will be a time when you are sick of instructing. By this point you will THINK that you have just about seen and done it all in little planes. This is when you will get complacent, you will let things slide, and you will not be the best instructor you can be. Be aware of this and do not let this happen. It not only creates a danger in your flying, but it heavily influences your students and believe me they will imitate your actions. If you are slacking in any way, they will too. This is bad for everyone involved.
Rant over, I need another beer.....
-Quag