Im stoked! New CFI needs advice.
 

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

Don't let them kill you

The best advice that I can give is remember- your job is all about the student. Too many CFI's couldn't give a darn about their students (instead they only care about building hours and moving on). CFI's that keep their student's interests at the forefront will never have an empty schedule. In addition, they're the ones that are most likely to build good networks and professional relationships that will carry them into the future.

Focus on your students and enjoy the ride! You'll quickly find that despite all you think you know about aviation, you've barely scratched the tip of the iceberg!

Don't tell them 'this is the first time I've done this' or "Your my first student". It'll kill your credibility. Imagine a doctor doing the same...

If they ask you how long you've been instructing, answer with, "I've been an instructor for XXX days/months/years (However long it's been singe you did your CFI checkride)"

Let them make mistakes. They'll learn from them. Don't step in every single time or they'll never progress. Second, poor pilot hit an important point.

Do you think it would be more credible to say I've been an instructor for 14 days? Just curious cause that was my situation. My students learned they were my first students and everything went well. Be ready to learn a lot with your first few students, both about teaching and aviation. They will ask questions you have never thought about before. Don't BS.

Ride out the mistakes as long as safely possible; this will allow them tto see what happens and why. And let them correct the plane; everybody already knows you can fly.

Agreed. There's a fine line between learning and letting it go to far. If in doubt, take over early. As you gain experience, you'll know how to toe the line. It may be obvious or not. Like a student who was over-shooting final at an uncontrolled field. No traffic, no worries...until he kicked the rudder to full deflection to get the nose around! Don't know where he learned that but it wasn't from me! Kinda funny looking back on it, NOW! Congrats and good luck.

If they ask you a question you don't know the answer to, tell them to look it up and give you the answer next lesson.

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. :D (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

Thanks for the advice! I'll try my best

Joachim

All very good points, and which I would've said them all too if I was talking to you in person. The one last thing that I didn't see mentioned, HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!! I enjoyed being an instructor, and passing on the art and joy of flying. I'd never trade the experience, just the paycheck!

I think it would kill your credibility more if you didnt let them become aware of this. Word of advice for actually teaching however, keep your hands off the controls as much as safety permits. Dont make physical corrections for them until it is necessary for the safety of flight, and dont drink before a flight.

I can never forget the face expression on my first student's face when I answered he was my first student. He flew with me anyways and we're both still alive. I personally wouldn't tell unless asked. However if asked, I wouldn't lie.

We would always use the brand-new CFI for Disco flights, BFR's, instrument sim, or to fill in for a sick CFI for a little while. If that wasn't practical, we'd assign them to a commercial student...basically anything to keep them away from primary students for a little while.

They would get some comfort level flying with qualified pilots, and that first primary student wouldn't technically be their fisrt student. :rolleyes:

i will be assigned primary students only to begin with. Fun...

All are excellent points. Take them to heart! You will always be learning everytime you sit down with a student. Watch out for the commercial students too. They can slip up sometimes in an instant. Had one that did something funky in the flare and the plane went nuts. I was usually a bit complacent with him because he was a rock star from the start. Lets just say I learned my lesson. At first you will jump on the controls more often that you should. I know I did and it isn't good for the student because they don't learn from the mistake since they don't see it develop. If you need to take the controls you can usually get the plane to recover pretty quickly. But don't let it go too far. It's a fine line and you will figure it out pretty quickly. A through debrief is very important. Most instructors skimp on this. The best debriefs I ever got were from my CFII instructor. He would sit there with a piece of paper and take very detailed notes on everything. I mean EVERYTHING! Then we would go over it in detail a look for ways to improve. He would then give me the notes so I could reference them later on. It was by far the best because I could use them to fine tune my teaching and lesson plans. But most importantly you are working for your student! They are a CUSTOMER and treat them the way you would expect to be treated at any place of business. They are spending their hard earned money on you after all so give them their moneys worth. Don't forget to have fun! You will learn so much in your first month it will suprise you. Enjoy and welcome to the world of flight instruction!

UNDy Instructor?