jsfBoat

I agree to the CFI posts. The little CFIing that I have done has given me so much as it is. Teaches you that you have little time to compose your self so you don't get angry. I had a student that played chicken with another aircraft on final, and the other guy was so close that I saw the grease around the cowling. I didn't see the airplane because I was expecting him to be off our front right. I had to take the airplane and get out of the path. As much as I wanted to calm my self down, there was no time for that. Taught me that I always have to be calm under pressure, and not to let the situation get out of hand.
GET YOUR CFI!!!!!!

rickair7777

It is an unusual situation, having mostly to do with economics.

Brand-new instructors have just spent 200-300 hours pounding out the maneuvers...they can generally help others to do the same, and that is what checkrides emphasize.

While the wisdom imparted by an experienced greybeard would certainly be good stuff, most students shop with price as a significant factor or the main factor. Schools can employ low-time CFI's (who can't go anywhere else) for low-time wages and sell a low-cost package that sets the bar for industry. The good news is that there is usually someone with experience on staff, and students generally get exposed to that person also, at least in ground training.

I do know a few professional free-lance CFI's who can charge $80/hour...and there are some clients who will pay for the experience. Many rich guys are cheap to a fault, but some of them have learned about false economy and best value concepts...

Cubdriver

I fly with too many mediocre, officially-certified FAA instructors in my present line of work to really think the civilian system produces pilots to what I would call a satisfactory skill level. Too many of them make me wonder if they could get a piston airplane out of a spin, fail to trim the airplane properly, fail to show an acceptable degree of skill in radio calls, do not know how to properly correct for crosswind in the flare, and are unsure of how some or many of the instruments work or even seem to have a realistic plan for an off-airport landing in the case of an engine out. They invariably come from FAA-approved 141 and sometimes 61 programs that do not include any sort of apprenticeship with an advanced pilot. The FAA primary flight training system is set up to pass students without it, and unless the student makes an individual and independent effort to seek out the association of an advanced aviator, they will not and do not find it a part of their training. Such apprenticeship will not occur until the cockpit of an airliner years later for many. Not to thread drift, but I think this is what drives the impending change in minimum hiring standards for airlines to ATP mins.

IC ALL

Geezzzzz.....I couldn't agree with you more. Way to tell it like it is.

detpilot

In agreement with you, but be careful not to paint with a broad stroke. I see the same thing, and I am a 141 instructor (although I had a mixed background between 141 and 61, and paid for my CFI by flying jumpers). What you say is true, but some of us work very hard to free ourselves from the perception that is all too often given to us. For instance, I encourage my students to read such books as "Fate is the Hunter," etc, to try to bring in some experience that I lack due to my inexperience. I also talk about things as choosing a company to work for, and not going to the lowest paid, bottom of the bucket companies. You can have some good discussions with students over lunch at a cross country destination.

Bottom line is that myself and many of my CFI colleagues (especially the younger ones) are all too aware of the stigma that is associated with us, and work very hard to ensure that we are competent and making competent students, in spite of our glass cockpit aircraft.

TwinTurboPilot

Excellent point cub driver I completely agree. DET pilot good for you for trying to encourage the fresh meat. There needs to be more CFIs like that. I still consider myself low time (2800TT/1700 SIC jet) but did not realize how naive, and how low people are willing to stoop for a jet job. Especially the ones from $100k+ 141 schools

MIADC8

I just got passed my CFI checkride, got a CFI job, and cant wait to start teaching!!!! I am looking forward to the experience, and all that I am going to learn.

CTPILOT

Congrats bud best of luck.....where at? You guys aren't by any chance looking to hire more?

crabinow16

I would love to get my CFI right now but the cost of getting it is turning me off. I am in School and that take up most of my money plus even if i did get the CFI not many places want to hire some one who will be around for four months max to work for them. I plan on getting my CFI eventually but currently it is not an option. My other question for any CFI's who want to answer what are the rewuirements for the type of plane you have to get your CFI in. Are their an restriction on what the aircraft has to have powerplant and flight sysptem wise?

Cubdriver

You have to make a complex-retractable available such as a Cessna Cutlass RG for pattern work, otherwise the air work can be done in any typical trainer. Obviously changing airplanes during a checkride is not feasible to save a few bucks, so most people take the entire ride in a retractable. By the time you go for your ride this rule may change as there is a "notice of proposed rule-making" by the FAA to remove the retractable aspect of the definition of "complex" airplane. Make sure to check on that before starting your training and checkride. Getting a CFI is not all that expensive. Go through a Part 61 school. I had maybe a couple of grand into it before mine was done. It's mostly about knowledge- not so much about your flight proficiency; because you have already learned to do all the practical tasks. Buy yourself a flight library and read it thoroughly and take people out to the practice area and teach them to do things. You'll need a spin signoff, and in my opinion you should have a tailwheel signoff as well.