Thieving student
 

I recently bought an aviation book, brought it to the flight school I teach at and placed it on my desk. The very same day, the book went missing and I have a very strong feeling that one of my students stole it. A couple of days later I asked this student if he “had seen a book on my desk-” but before I could finish my sentence the student responded with, “I didn’t take no book”.
As a CFI, how would you address this situation?
I want to just say, “I know you have my book. Give it back.” And if he doesn't give it back, I'll kick him in the shins.
I really want my book back and I am finding it difficult to work with him knowing he stole from me.

Refuse to teach him. As an instructor I turned away/cut off a couple of students for various reasons. I don't know why everyone makes a big deal out of it.

Report the theft, suspect, and conversation to the Chief Instructor and ask the student be transferred to another instructor, if not simply terminated from the program.

Dishonesty does not go well with an aviation career.

If you're sure - how about an extra .2 ground until the book is paid for, then transfer him to another instructor?

Try this:

Put a note/flyer up that states:

Book Missing. Video surveillance footage shows the culprit. Before video is turned over to Police in 24 hours and you get arrested and a blemish put on your record, please return the book to where you found it. No questions asked.

Hint: Thief doesn't know if there was a camera or not! But, now set one up to record and you will know who took it. Does that student pilot want to risk his flying career being tarnished for stealing. When caught don't screw your career by getting charged with assault. Just ensure he slipped in the bathroom.

Was your name written on it? Etc...
 

Sorry about the loss of your book.
Before you kick anybody in the shins though, I was wondering-
You mention you bought an aviation book which subsequently went missing, right?
Can you describe the aviation book? Was it a rather rare title around your flight school, say something to do with aviation history, or an autobiography of someone lesser known?
Or was it some rather generic and common book, one that many instructors and/or students at your school would have? "Instrument Flight Theory" or something like that? Or some kind of manual for commonly used nav equipment or aircraft at your school?
Basically what I'm getting at here is maybe another student or instructor picked up a common book around your school (yours) but thought it was theirs? If so, I probably would not kick anybody in the shins, or spread bad blood around with accusations that are not provable probably.
Again, was your name on it if it was a common book around there?
Anyway, good luck finding your book.

Sorry you lost your book. I despise thieves. You have no evidence, so you're probably out one book. I've learned the hard way to never leave anyting around, always put my name on everything, and NEVER loan anything to anyone. I've lost so much stuff over the years from thieves and "loans" it makes me sick. I had one get mad at me from not returning a video after a year. She blamed me.

"Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot". Brand new with my name in big black bold Sharpie ink.

Yeah, I have my name on everything and my students know they can use my books ONLY in-house.
Though I have no evidence, I could just call his home and ask his wife and/or kids if they've seen my book laying around their house. Would they all lie for him? Hopefully not.

And that's one of the best books on my shelf. And no I didn't steal it.;) Hope you get it back buddy. Back when I was CFI'ng, I had my model airplane that I used during pre/post briefs stolen. When a student bought me a Matchbox NWA 747-400, that was stolen too. Just used the hands from then on.

Yea, having your name on everything helps. It is a deterrent, not a prevention. Honest people respect your property, criminals do not.

Just report him to the chief flight instructor. If you charge him for extra, you could get in trouble, and if you hand him off to another instructor, you're just passing on a troubled student to be someone else's problem. This guy just doesn't belong in your flight school or anywhere near an airplane.

That's a really great book, though, and well-worth buying another copy. I always write my name in black sharpie ink along the sides of my books across all the pages so that it can't be removed.

Im going to go out in another direction here, I believe this is all your fault. As an instructor, a look from you should strike fear into the deepest parts of their soul. Had you accomplished this goal early on he would not have dared touch your book for the fear that you might push him out the storm window on some lesson when he was under the foggles, ever so slightly saving said foggles from hurtling to the ground with him, all the while screaming like a madman at him that if he stole the book he should have read it and learned to fly!!!! :p

I guess I'm too nice; believing in the goodness of all, the idea of community, and helping each other out! :p
That's it! I'm outta here. Forget pilots and their dreams and trying to help them out. I'm off to join a commune in Jamaica where beer is cheep and you can fly a plane without a certificate.:D

Just add an aditional .3 to his flight time totals... You'll have enough money from that to buy a new one in no time :D

Haha, that's what I would do.

If your sure he did it dump him, If you cant trust him on the ground are you gonna be able to trust him with 100k+ airplane(not saying he is going to steal an airplane) when it comes time to solo.

Doesn't sound like they'll fit the: "Of good moral standing" for their ATP rating...

How do you KNOW he stole it?

Tough call...I had stage I private check students who could land the aircraft three times to syllabus standards, but still had a 'gut' feeling that was almost always luck.???...

you have no solid proof other than a 'gut' feeling....


how are you going to sign him off for his first solo or an additional endorsement? or for a checkride knowing in your gut this student is a thief?...

To me, if someone didnt pass the gut check, i.e. it was luck or, man that was barely passable....they didnt get by. Your guy in my opinion is outta there!!!