the King

I can see how you would think that. Probably, no definitely, not the way to say it. However, the context of the statement would be important. It's difficult, but instructors and students need to remember they are dealing with living humans. Often, students treated me as if I should work exactly how they wanted without giving any imput. When I ask for questions, I mean it! Speak up and communicate with your instructor about everything: what you like, what you would like to do differently, what might help you, and how you think you're doing.

Instructors also need to remember what it is like to be a student. And remember that students have no experience with the life of a CFI. We have to be diligent in explaining why we will or won't do something or why we make a choice. Since we were once students, it's our responsibility to respond appropriately, knowing the difference between impertinent or rude behaviors or comments and curiosity from a new student. It takes a fine balance, but the best learn how to walk the tightrope between being a pushover and a tyrant.

mexipilot84

My favorite.... signed up for a 10 day IFR training program. Instructor arrives to work 45 min late everyday, calls off 2 days out of the 10, Sleeps on the job. Relies on other instructors to teach me the right maneuvers. Sleeps while putting Jeppesen instructional videos. yea.... my favorite instructors at USFA in Denton....

Recommend getting an instructor who is strictly there to teach or who has a passion for his function even if he is time building(aren't we all?). Who even in a bad situation can relieve the pressure, but be able to correct and tell you why something is the way it is. Someone who will teach to stay alive. Can't tell you how many newbie solo students have gotten themselves into trouble from CFIs who failed to teach them how to not get lost or how to get out of an unusual attitude.

Ask questions never leave doubts unanswered, might be a question that could mean the difference between fuel starvation to flying into IMC without wanting to as a student pilot.

Ask, listen, apply!

Bernoulli Fan

Really?

One might interpret the flight instructor's statement as the helpful opinion of a teacher with a schedule in mind for teaching things like weather services. You can't learn everything at once. If your instructor says you'll learn something later, ask when. If he or she has an answer, you should be satisfied.

IFly17

I'd agree and I'd disagree with the instructor--depending on the students aviation background. I would agree that sometimes you need to push something to the back burner for the time being. For example, pre-solo private students asking about going on cross countries. I'd tell them let's not get ahead of ourselves. Focus on soloing first, then get through the stage check and we'll take the next step to XCs.

At the same time, I disagree because on subjects like weather that play an active role in training from day one I wanted students to start taking small steps right away--especially if the student knows something about weather and a 121 dispatcher would.

It sounds like this guy was just not the best fit for you. He should have taken your aviation experience into account and tailored your flight training program with that in mind. Part of instructing is to build on what a student already knows and being a dispatcher you had a leg up on a lot of things.

I hope you moved on to an instructor who could do a better job for YOU. You move on faster and save some money with the best instructor for you!