How would you handle this?
03-20-2021, 07:50 AM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 307
I’m a CFI right now. I’ve flown with pilots who just retired from the airlines and wanted to get current in GA.
I treat those customers like gold. They have a lot of knowledge to pass on.
Additionally, they have lots of connections! What a great opportunity to network and show off skills to someone who could write a letter one day. Letters coming from pilots who spent 25 years at an airline might just help my app get pushed to the top of the pile if that day comes where I decide to apply.
The CFI we’re discussing has a terrible attitude. Stringing along what should be his most prized student.
I treat those customers like gold. They have a lot of knowledge to pass on.
Additionally, they have lots of connections! What a great opportunity to network and show off skills to someone who could write a letter one day. Letters coming from pilots who spent 25 years at an airline might just help my app get pushed to the top of the pile if that day comes where I decide to apply.
The CFI we’re discussing has a terrible attitude. Stringing along what should be his most prized student.
03-21-2021, 07:04 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2021
Posts: 560
There is so much going on here and I feel the OP has been extremely patient to his own detriment. It’s time to have a sit down chat with both the CP (or ACP if there is one) and the CFI to explain the situation and set new expectations going forward.
I got started in aviation a bit later in life than most and obtained my instructor certificates to help build some time. Being older than my colleagues I had a different expectation of not only myself but also my students. Additionally, coming from a field where communication was a must, I knew how to speak to individuals and carry on a conversation.
It’s likely there are a few things working against this young CFI; could be his lack of communication skills, desire to build time quickly, lack of knowledge and experience, lack of confidence in himself, or maybe just an entitled brat. Whatever it is, it’s time to get it addressed.
I can relate to the OPs statement about just continuing to get it over with as sometimes it will be too many steps backward just to change instructors; I’ve been there.
Over the years, there seems to be too big of a push to build hours quickly (quantity) versus providing quality instruction.
And this^^
I got started in aviation a bit later in life than most and obtained my instructor certificates to help build some time. Being older than my colleagues I had a different expectation of not only myself but also my students. Additionally, coming from a field where communication was a must, I knew how to speak to individuals and carry on a conversation.
It’s likely there are a few things working against this young CFI; could be his lack of communication skills, desire to build time quickly, lack of knowledge and experience, lack of confidence in himself, or maybe just an entitled brat. Whatever it is, it’s time to get it addressed.
I can relate to the OPs statement about just continuing to get it over with as sometimes it will be too many steps backward just to change instructors; I’ve been there.
Over the years, there seems to be too big of a push to build hours quickly (quantity) versus providing quality instruction.
Originally Posted by rickair7777
. . .
If it were me I'd take the CFI-I ride instead... even though the jet is all glass I at least do fly instrument procedures when I go to work. As opposed to chandelles, lazy-8's, etc.
If it were me I'd take the CFI-I ride instead... even though the jet is all glass I at least do fly instrument procedures when I go to work. As opposed to chandelles, lazy-8's, etc.
Last edited by QRH Bingo; 03-21-2021 at 07:24 AM.
03-21-2021, 12:43 PM
#23
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 16
Thank you all for your input. I am apologetic I have not been able to respond sooner.
I did have a phone chat with the owner of the school. I did not find the outcome satisfactory and will not be returning to the school. Some takeaways from the conversation with the flight school owner, it was clear the young man in question had fabricated a easily disproved narrative. As the owner brought up each fabrication I was able to provide more information that to the owner was readily apparent he was being lied to by his employee, in some cases I provided physical evidence. Despite having been clearly lied to by the young instructor, the owner continued to back his employee. As this young man is ready to move on to regional aviation I suspect he will be challenged by his integrity. And the flight school owner does not realize he will have lost out of two senior instructors not one when this young man turns in his resignation. I have no intention of returning to the school after this young man leaves.
As someone suggested, I reached out to some of the pilots I fly with who maintain their flight instructor certificates and all were happy to sign me off. I will be flying out to meet one of those pilots and he has already scheduled a examiner for me on the same trip.
I would like to address some of the comments here.
As JohnBurke accurately pointed out this is a reinstatement, not a renewal. A very poor choice of words on my part.
Others have questioned why not the flight instructor instrument as well as why I require a instructor at all. My skills and abilities in a small single engine piston airplane have atrophied. I would be doing potential students a disservice if I did not ensure that my skills were up to par as a single engine instructor. I posit that another instructor would be better able to judge my skills than I could for the practical test. The base flight instructor training seemed to be most appropriate. I went with this young man as he was the most experienced at the school, which may explain the owners defense of his actions.
I am grateful to you all for your advice and suggestions.
I did have a phone chat with the owner of the school. I did not find the outcome satisfactory and will not be returning to the school. Some takeaways from the conversation with the flight school owner, it was clear the young man in question had fabricated a easily disproved narrative. As the owner brought up each fabrication I was able to provide more information that to the owner was readily apparent he was being lied to by his employee, in some cases I provided physical evidence. Despite having been clearly lied to by the young instructor, the owner continued to back his employee. As this young man is ready to move on to regional aviation I suspect he will be challenged by his integrity. And the flight school owner does not realize he will have lost out of two senior instructors not one when this young man turns in his resignation. I have no intention of returning to the school after this young man leaves.
As someone suggested, I reached out to some of the pilots I fly with who maintain their flight instructor certificates and all were happy to sign me off. I will be flying out to meet one of those pilots and he has already scheduled a examiner for me on the same trip.
I would like to address some of the comments here.
As JohnBurke accurately pointed out this is a reinstatement, not a renewal. A very poor choice of words on my part.
Others have questioned why not the flight instructor instrument as well as why I require a instructor at all. My skills and abilities in a small single engine piston airplane have atrophied. I would be doing potential students a disservice if I did not ensure that my skills were up to par as a single engine instructor. I posit that another instructor would be better able to judge my skills than I could for the practical test. The base flight instructor training seemed to be most appropriate. I went with this young man as he was the most experienced at the school, which may explain the owners defense of his actions.
I am grateful to you all for your advice and suggestions.
03-21-2021, 02:08 PM
#24
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,001
I think you'll fare much better with someone more attuned to your needs, and perhaps someone more in your peer range. This young man didn't know what he didn't know, and was in quite a rush to show it.
You're right in approaching a light airplane with caution and recognizing that the skills are perishable: that's what a professional does. It's unfortunate that neither the instructor nor owner of the school have either a sense of professionalism, nor apparently, much integrity. Both you and any students you work with, will be far better served at another facility.
It sounds like you approached this matter from every respect in the best possible manner, and given the low bar the instructor and owner have set for themselves, as best you could, given the facilities and personnel with which you had to work. One can sculpt with mud, but it works better with clay. Best of luck finishing up. Enjoy a working retirement.
You're right in approaching a light airplane with caution and recognizing that the skills are perishable: that's what a professional does. It's unfortunate that neither the instructor nor owner of the school have either a sense of professionalism, nor apparently, much integrity. Both you and any students you work with, will be far better served at another facility.
It sounds like you approached this matter from every respect in the best possible manner, and given the low bar the instructor and owner have set for themselves, as best you could, given the facilities and personnel with which you had to work. One can sculpt with mud, but it works better with clay. Best of luck finishing up. Enjoy a working retirement.
03-24-2021, 10:16 AM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2020
Posts: 342
Sounds like a time builder. The reason he was so overly defensive, he wants to get as many hours out of you as possible but doesn't like you figuring out his motives. You have to be more careful of that these days with so many CFIs out there due to the hiring stoppage at the airlines. They are fighting over students and hours.
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