Ok, this may come out as a newbie rambling, but I
Have 3 years experience so hear me out. Today
I was practicing with my whiteboard for CFI training, and
My mom interrupts me. In a light hearted way she
Says, "You are not good at teaching" Although mad, my
Mom has a point. She graduated college as a teacher,
She knows im not a people person and im shy. The thing
That frustrates me about Aviation as a career, is that you
Have to CFI to advance. Most any other career you
Don't teach as entry level, but you do it after years
Of life experience. A truck driver dose not teach for
His first job, he goes OTR. Why are there not more
Entry level jobs for a pilot? If you ask me, 135 cargo should
Be entry level. This career is frustrating as it is now, with the
1500 hour rule.

 

Ok, this may come out as a newbie rambling, but I
Have 3 years experience so hear me out. Today
I was practicing with my whiteboard for CFI training, and
My mom interrupts me. In a light hearted way she
Says, "You are not good at teaching" Although mad, my
Mom has a point. She graduated college as a teacher,
She knows im not a people person and im shy. The thing
That frustrates me about Aviation as a career, is that you
Have to CFI to advance. Most any other career you
Don't teach as entry level, but you do it after years
Of life experience. A truck driver dose not teach for
His first job, he goes OTR. Why are there not more
Entry level jobs for a pilot? If you ask me, 135 cargo should
Be entry level. This career is frustrating as it is now, with the
1500 hour rule.

To the first bolded statement, that could not be farther from the truth. To the second bolded statement, flying 135 has challenges that far exceed an entry level position. I am going to go get my popcorn ready now.

 

You have three of experience doing what?

I'm sure there are numerous times in your life that you didn't listen to you mother because you knew better right?
Why would you start now?

I agree with the CFI not necessarily being an entry level job, but were you so uninformed about the civilian aviation industry that you didn't know this?

 

I never understood why? It's not like you are
Flying an approach inverted single engine in IMC.
An Airplane could care less how many hours
you have. What matters is a Pilot who has
A deep understanding of his craft and has a
Saftey conscious. In my opinion it should be entry level

 

I wouldn't get frustrated about someone saying "you don't know how to teach" especially when you are brand new and trying to find your own style of teaching. I doubt your mom had her style of teaching down the first day she walked in the classroom.

Be prepared to get frustrated a lot in this career.Just keep plugging away.

I still get frustrated especially now that a lot of airlines are starting to hire and I can't even get a call for an interview.

 

Shy and not a people person? Me too. But CFI'ing has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had the pleasure of having in this industry.

Go teach, you'll learn a lot about yourself and even more about flying. It's not a forever job, just a stepping stone to the next level.

Good luck

 

Keep with it, I was in the same boat. Take a step back, look at how you are teaching and think "what did I like/no like about how some instructors have taught me in the past". Your greatest tool is other instructors you either admire or hate. You learn how to do it right from those you like, and avoid being like those you didnt. Learning to properly teach was very hard for me. But well, well worth it. If you want to become less shy, learn to teach. You will become more social for sure. Once you get it you wont forget it. And your mom saying you arent a good teacher is very funny/ironic coming FROM a teacher. Way to discourage someone who is trying to learn...(laws of learning anyone?). First rule of flight instruction, dont get mad or criticize at your students. (constructive criticism is good though, if done right). What she should have said is "thats pretty good, however this is how you could improve that...". She may be a certified teacher but that doesn't mean she is good either. How many of us have had horrible flight instructors or teachers in HS and/or college? Learn from them.
What books have you read so far? The laws of learning are very important to understand how people need to learn. You cant just blurt out facts, draw crap on a white board and expect comprehension.(although, pilot mills seem to die trying) I wish when I was in CFI training someone offered me a bit more than "I would say it like this" or "no, thats too complicated, make it more simple" type suggestions. Message me if you need some help, I got time on my hands! Slow corp. flying and instructing is a little slower in the winter with 35 inches of snow in 1.5 days

 

Holy sentence fragment Batman!

 

You can make it and not instruct I did, it might take sightly longer. I hit every FBO and finally hooked up with a turboprop operator where I could ride in the right seat. "not paid" After I proved myself and gained experience I went to simcom so I could move over and get paid and build PIC time. Strangely after flying the line for 10 yrs I became a instructor at my airline.

 

How many turboprop operators are out there though for him to do that? I mean if he can find one willing to take him on, then he might do well in going for it, but most likely he'll have to conform like 95% of us did and went the commonplace route. I think he should get his CFI ratings and just shallow it like the rest of us. It's nerve wracking as heck, but it's a challenge that will increase any pilot's skill-level. Once those CFI checkrides are passed and you get your first paycheck instructing, it's such a sweet feeling....