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Losing Steam

Old 09-15-2008, 02:27 PM
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OK, I will admit within a little over a year, and at my own pace, I got my private, instrument, multi comm inst, and single comm add-on. Now I'm working on my CFI and feel that I'm getting frustrated and losing interest in aviation because of the actual amount of knowledge and prep it requires for the CFI (and I don't want to fail the checkride numerous times like some of the instructors i've had!). I've always wanted to be a career pilot and don't want to lose currency because of a little frustration. I'm just wondering if anyone has felt the same way some time in their aviation training career. Thanks for listening
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Old 09-15-2008, 02:31 PM
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Be well prepared for the checkride, and pass it first time. You're doing better than 80% of the CFIs out there if you do so.

If you don't want to keep going because you're worried about failing a checkride, maybe you shouldn't be trying to make this a career.
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Old 09-15-2008, 03:46 PM
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Bon's I felt the exact same way you do now and let me tell you it was a great feeling to walk out with my CFI/II.. I studied so much I felt like I was forgetting things. I actually bought a dry erase board and would teach my wife or kids (anybody who would listen) the topics. I felt more comfortable going in the oral having practiced on the board. Don't give up now your almost at the end! Good Luck!
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Old 09-15-2008, 03:51 PM
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Oh yeah, I went through that same feeling. I think that everyone goes through that to some degree with anything long term in life. I suggest you take some time off, because you shouldn't be getting burnt out this early.

Even if its only a weekend off, or a week off, just give yourself a chance to miss it.

You sound like you are in this for the love of it and that you will end up respecting your profession when you get there, so please take this to heart:

Many people are (on this forum) looking for the fastest way to do something, but try to look for the best way to do it instead.

Am I disappointed that the captain I'm flying with this week graduated a year after me? A little. However, I would not trade the path I took to get where I am for anything. If I spent all my time worrying about why I'm not a 777 captain at 26, I'd go nuts. I have goals, but I'm going to do things the best way, not necessarily the fastest.

(a little off topic, but i mean hang in there. the reason people take vacations from life is so that they can come back refreshed, maybe that's what you need in aviation. who knows, you may get your goals done faster if you allow yourself the time to love what you do instead of racing to the finish?)
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Old 09-16-2008, 06:56 AM
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Wow, didn't know this was such a common thing... I was working on my CFI, got frustrated with my instructor for it because he was being a dick. I ended up getting an aerial survey job, and finished the CFI a year later. Even a year later hopping back into it was a pain. I ended up passing it on the first try and just got my first CFI gig.

there's a lot of knowledge to know but you wouldn't want to have a student ask you a question and just be dumbfounded. Good luck and just remember if the guy that sat next to you during your training did it, you can to.
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Old 09-16-2008, 05:00 PM
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I'm the feeling same way, but it's not because I'm worried about the studying, just the financial aspect. I want to do this, and will continue to push my self, but sometimes there just isn't enough coal for the fire. It doesn't help being 26 and knowing that other 26 year old pilots are F/Os or Captains at regionals and knowing I'll be an "old" man when I finaly get there, but there's nothing else I'd rather do for a career. I appologize for my rambling.
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Old 09-16-2008, 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by jsfBoat View Post
I'm the feeling same way, but it's not because I'm worried about the studying, just the financial aspect. I want to do this, and will continue to push my self, but sometimes there just isn't enough coal for the fire. It doesn't help being 26 and knowing that other 26 year old pilots are F/Os or Captains at regionals and knowing I'll be an "old" man when I finaly get there, but there's nothing else I'd rather do for a career. I appologize for my rambling.
Originally Posted by Bons View Post
OK, I will admit within a little over a year, and at my own pace, I got my private, instrument, multi comm inst, and single comm add-on. Now I'm working on my CFI and feel that I'm getting frustrated and losing interest in aviation because of the actual amount of knowledge and prep it requires for the CFI (and I don't want to fail the checkride numerous times like some of the instructors i've had!). I've always wanted to be a career pilot and don't want to lose currency because of a little frustration. I'm just wondering if anyone has felt the same way some time in their aviation training career. Thanks for listening
Now you are emotionally ready to be a CFI. I had this same feeling towards the end of mine. I wanted to quit so bad because I couldn't get my checkride scheduled, I was falling into debt without a job, and had no motivation to study anymore. Now when I hear about a CFI course in two weeks it makes me want to puke. You're so much more prepared now because you have given all you can give (in your mind atleast). This will make you a better insructor and a more mature pilot! Keep your head up!
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Old 09-16-2008, 05:34 PM
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I would agree with everyone here, I just finished my checkride today and passed on the first try. I signed up for a 3 week accelerated course which only took a month from start to checkride but during that time I'd never been more stressed out in my entire life. As you've found out, the topics are so many and so broad you really do have to try to know everything. The good news is most examiners know your pain and while they won't make it any easier, they don't expect you to know everything but they expect you know where to find it so COME PREPARED! I can't emphasize that enough, I opened up all but 1 or 2 of the books I brought and I brought all that I could fit in my flight bag and everything I can carry.

I certainly don't think you're alone financially either. It really sucks knowing I'm already almost six figures in debt from flight fees/tuition and I'm still having to pay to fly just to get a poor paying job but I love flying and I'm sure you do to so just stick with it. I know myself and the others in my class all found ourselves studying to the point of questioning ourselves/asking ridiculously anal,detailed questions/being stressed out when we were studying and stressed out when we weren't. All of us passed on the first try if thats any encouragement
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Old 09-18-2008, 08:59 AM
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Don't sweat being 26 and still trying to get your CFI ride done. It took me over 6 months to do my CFI because of weather in Chicago--that was very frustrating especially so since I was unemployed at the time. One of my classmates from college who is younger then me is a 747 FO for Cathay Pacific and I am 27 and a mere CRJ FO reserve. Your goal should be "work my butt off and make it to the majors by 35," That gives you 30 years of flying at that level. Work hard to reach that goal and someday you will enjoy being a captain on the biggest metal your airline will by flying when you get there.
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