CFI In Flight Instruction
 

As some of you know, I am currently earning my CFI cert. During flights, I obviously must be able to "talk and fly" at the same time. I do not believe this has been a problem for me so far, the question is, What do you say, and how much do you say.

Any tips on the proper way to introduce and demonstrate a maneuver to a student? Thanks:)

3 things:

1.) Teach on the ground, practice in the air

2.) KISS! - Keep It Simple Stupid! (Think back to how things were for you back at 0, 10, 20 hours)

3.) Always, always, always...ALWAYS have some true story/BS story to relate a maneuver/proceedure to. That usually helps to drive the point home. That doesn't neccesarily mean scare the bajesus out of the student, but it definately re-enforces things!

Take it for what its worth.
Laxrox

PS. please excuse my spelling...its friggen 3:30am...I can't sleep

Memorize every word, word for word, in the Airplane Flying Handbook. Then you can just start reciting from whatever chapter applies to the maneuver you are introducing. That, or you could just say what you are doing and what you are noticing. The guy above has a good idea. When I was working on my CFI, I would practice teaching maneuvers while driving my car. It takes something you are familiar with, driving, and combines it with something you are trying to get good at, talking and making sense. I would start with what the maneuver is and a short reason why we do it. Then I take it step by step, noting what I am looking at while doing the maneuver. Hope it helps. You'll notice after you get a bit of instructing experience that explaining maneuvers isn't hard because you are much more in tune with flying the airplane and what you are looking for.

Avoid any silence in the cockpit...keep yapping away. Some examiners will fill the silence with lines of questioning that you may not want to deal with while demonstrating a lazy-8.

adding to rickair, talk until they tell you to shut up. Also, when you verbalize what you do, you will do it. When you think it silently, you may do the complete oposite of what you are thinking.

Plus, when you get into the professional environment, a lot of the checklists are verbalized. So get used to it!:p

Not only should you talk, but strip it down to the bare bones. Remember, what's second nature to you isn't to the guy or gal sitting in the left seat who is looking for you to teach them. Tell them what to do, what to look for, where to be looking for it, when to be looking for it, how it should look, how it shouldn't look. That was my biggest challenge. Sure, you're doing turns about a point, but what are you doing to make those turns? The student is in the dark, they have no idea.

Don't be afraid to let your students make mistakes. Just don't let the mistake get you into a dangerous situation. Step in right before it gets to that point. Let them screw up the radios, let them get lost (with you in the plane). You get the idea.

Heres what i say. You are a commercial pilot, you have the knowledge and flying skills, so RELAX. Take your time, study hard, the night before have a beer and go to bed. During your lfight explain, DO NOT TEACH, just explain what your doing, and if you make a mistake explain it, and what happened, thats your get out of jail free card. Also make sure you have your lazy 8s down pat, theyre the hardest of the commercial maneuvers and used the most on checkrides. Have fun, its such a pleasure to fly with the feds!

Thanks for all the insight! :D It has all been very helpful.

Just to add, I'm not a CFI but it's was always helpful to me to see a proper demonstration of the maneuver. Happy flying!