airplane401

I'm going to start CFIing in a month and I'm kinda nervous. I feel like I still suck lol. People say after a month of being a CFI you become a way better pilot. Is this really true?

pat67

Hello,
I felt the same way. The first few flights, I was super nervous, thinking I suck. But then I realized that the student sitting next to me knows nothing, and is soaking up everything I say and demonstrate, just like a sponge. And after a few weeks it started to get so much easier. You get more relaxed and you pick up on things that you haven't paid much attention to when you went through training. Everyone learns different, and is making different mistakes.

The first time I sent a student up for a solo, I was more nervous than him, couldn't sleep for days. But when I watched him take off and fly around the pattern, and that smooth landing, I was so proud.

I absolutely love instructing and you will too. Just remember, your student will watch everything you do because you are a role model for them and they want to be you.

Pat

SonicBoom

Yea it's got to be an amazing feeling, at first I wasn't looking into being a CFI but the more I think about, the more I want to do it, I only have 800 hours to go for my ATP Mins but even if I teach for a short period I want to do it. As for Airplane401 I am sure you'll do fine.

FlyingRae

Don’t worry! I felt the same way when I started as a CFI. I’ve been instructing full time for over a year and there’s days when I feel like I suck as an in instructor still. If you start with primary students they don’t know anything, so make sure what you tell them is legitimate, law of primacy here. If your not 100% positive what your telling them is correct, look it up (AIM,FARS,PHAK,ACS, etc) in an FAA document with them. This gives them the familiarity with FAA products and then on checkrides they won’t say “Because my Instructor said so” as the reason when the DPE asks them “why or how” they know something.

Pony Express

I remember feeling sick to my stomach on the drive to the airport for my first day. Once we got in the plane things started to click and I just focused on the task at hand. All of the above is good advice - "do as I say, not as I do" doesn't really fly with students. They will pick up on any bad habits you might have. If you see a student consistently making the same mistake, seemingly without explanation, look in the mirror.

Soon enough everything will become much more routine. Once in a while you get a little excitement but you'll get into your groove. Good luck and have fun! It sounds like you are taking it very seriously and care about the students a lot- that's probably the best quality for a CFI to have.

SunnyFL

You get use to it! I remember when I was first starting to CFI I would get so nervous thinking about how to teach someone to takeoff and land who has never done so before. After a week or two you don't even think about it and it becomes second nature. Just be patient and try to break it down as simple as possible. You need to keep the mindset they have zero clue what you are talking about if you get technical.

Always stay 15 steps ahead of them and the plane. My rule of thumb for the landings. If it isn't going to hurt us or break the plane let them have a bad landing. They learn from it. Always Always Always protect that nose gear and prop!

Have fun! It is cool seeing them develop along the way.