Any chance of going beyond instruction?
 

Hello All,

It seems on the Pre-Interview page there is a bit of concern over one's own past. Mine is clean, except for one speeding ticket, and my grades have always been good (3.7 cum. GPA in college) in addition to part-time work and extra-curriculars.

However, on an instructional flight some time back, a student violently locked up on the flight controls and our aircraft exited the runway. The firewall was bent, and so the FAA got involved, and I had to take a re-exam flight, in what was called "administrative action." The FAA representative said after two years the records of this event will be expunged from my record. But I honestly think airlines can still get that information, can't they? That information doesn't just go away, does it? Of course, if asked in an interview I would be forthcoming, records showing or not.

I am (was?) on track to be a regional airline F/O or freight pilot. I still instruct, which I really love to do (minus the pay of course), but is this as far as I will go?

If so, I may need to find alternate work to survive. I am not jumping ship however, as I have worked very hard to get here, and quitting is not professional. My current experience is approximately 900 & 80, with my CFI and II (no MEI as of this post) if that sheds new light.

Thank you for your time, with regards to all

I have a co-worker who had a student, for some reason, just reach up and put the landing gear in the "up" position during the roll on a touch and go in a Seneca causing the gear to collapse.

He still got a regional gig.

I wouldn't think it would be a show stopper, guys with DUI's still get hired once and while, and this wasn't something that was directly your fault, nor was it a rule violation of sorts. In fact, you could easily turn this topic into a great interview discussion about level's of comfort as an instructor, and what happened to your comfort level after the incident with your next set of students. I bet your hands/feet were very close if not on the controls at all times like they were when you first became an instructor.
Although I wouldn't say this on an interview, the fact of the matter is, a student who locks up the controls will probably dent an airplane every time, and there is nothing you can do about it. My best example of that notion was something I was told early on in military flight school....If the student pushes the stick full fwd, there is nothing the instructor can do to stop him. Morbid thought, but for the most part true.

I think this incident is one of the perfect "tell me about a time when...." questions that you will be asked.

Plenty of guys with the same story are working at regionals. Major airlines? That might be a problem but by this time the letter should be out of your file

Long term it should not be a problem, even at most majors. It was not a lapse of ethics or judgement (like a criminal issue), and everyone understands that sometimes the CFI simply can't ensure a positive outcome. You will have to explain it carefully at a regional interview, but you are by no means the first CFI to bend an airplane. Accept responsibility, talk about what you learned, and don't try to blame it all on the student. If the student froze and you had to fight for the controls, there might not have been much you could do...there is no requirement that a CFI be stronger than his students.

Remember that most people you will talk to in an interview were instructors at one point also. They should understand.

A few employers might care, but I'm sure you can find plenty that will still hire you. In fact if you can turn it into a story of personal learning and improvement, you might get hired over other guys.

I have a friend who crashed a banner towing plane. He balled it up after the line got wrapped around the rudder during pick up, and he was lucky to get out.
He was a captain at my former employer on Lears and Falcons and now he's at NetJets.

I completely agree with daytona. You'll need to explain the circumstances, but in the end how did this make you a better instructor? How about a better crew member?

Boredwlife is also right on the money - most interviewers were also instructors and understand the fragile nature of instructing.

It won't stop your career. Hang in there!

Thank you all for your input! I appreciate everyone's time and advice, which means a lot to me, especially in a hard time.

As an instructor I was always prepared to hit the student as much and as hard as it took to have them let go of the controls. I know seems bad but students lock up at times and I will do what is necessary to get them to let go of the controls if it came to that.

Of course this is not a method I would suggest during all stages of instruction.