Since You Asked

Choosing A Good CFI

Dear Flight Training,

How do you pick out a good CFI? I am a new student with about five hours logged and, until now, I've had a real interest in wanting to get my private pilot's license and an instrument rating. My joy, however, is fading. Of the four full-time instructors at my school, I've not had much luck with two of them. The first was late for our two initial appointments. He is very quiet and doesn't provide much information. (I am also very quiet.) The second gets excited easily. He teaches me a lot on the ground, but in the air he's easily excited and it makes me nervous. I have only just started learning, and most of the joy is gone. I'll be trying a third instructor soon.

Sincerely,
Mr. Discouraged Student

Dear Mr. Discouraged Student,

Wow! You only have five hours, and you've worn out two CFIs already. If I've done the math correctly, you'll need six to eight more CFIs just to solo. Of course, I jest, but I think I can help you with this problem.

If you want the best shot at finding a good CFI, then look for one with a good reputation. To do that, visit the local designated flight examiner and ask for the names of the CFIs who consistently recommend fully qualified and competent pilot applicants. After all, examiners fly with and evaluate the products of these instructors, so they know who the pros are. Be sure to specify the qualities that you're looking for in an instructor. Some students prefer laid-back instructors, while others prefer more assertive ones. I actually had a student who attended military school for most of his life and insisted that I yell at him on occasion. He said that it made him learn better. Of course, I refused to yell, but I suggested he could salute if he ever felt the need.

Also, try spending some time at the airport and asking other students or rated pilots whom they would recommend for flight instruction. In the flight instruction business, reputation is everything.

Additionally, if you're not sure that an instructor is right for you, then commit to no more than three lessons with this person. If, at the end of the third lesson, you and the instructor are compatible, you can make the arrangement permanent. This makes it much easier to slip from the clutches of a poor instructor or try a different one if the cockpit chemistry just isn't right.

Fair fees

Dear Mr. Machado,

My instructor is a good man, very conscientious, thorough, and dedicated. No complaints in this department. But there's one thing that concerns me. The FBO schedules a two-hour block of time for each lesson, and the instructor charges for the entire two-hour block. Is this reasonable?

Thanks in advance,
Wayne

Dear Wayne,

If an instructor spends two hours giving you instruction, then he or she should charge for the entire block of time, regardless of the proportion of time spent in the air or on the ground. Time is time, and the instructor has every right to be compensated when he's directly or indirectly involved in teaching you. If, however, he's only spending 1.5 hours with you and 30 minutes chewing the fat with the boys on the ramp or in the office, that's a different story. You shouldn't be expected to pay for time that doesn't involve teaching in some way. In your case, if we're talking 10 minutes or so of lax time, I would advise caution in thinking that you're getting a bad deal. If this instructor is as good as you say he is, then he's probably not being paid enough. Good instructors are worth their weight in slow-running Hobbs meters. Buy him lunch now and then. You might even think about tipping him on occasion.

Tackling the instrument rating

Dear Rod,

I have just started on my instrument rating and find it very challenging. Do you have any words of wisdom that you could pass on to me? I only have around 75 hours at this point and try to fly at least one to two times a week.

Thanks,
Darwin

Greetings Darwin,

Yes. Purchase instrument simulation software for your computer, assuming, of course, that you have a computer. After all, it's very difficult to run this software on a kitchen appliance. You'll benefit enormously from this purchase, since you'll be able to increase your instrument proficiency between lessons. You'll also find it useful for maintaining your proficiency after you obtain the rating. What brand of software? Any of the major brands are just fine. But if it allows you to chase Klingons back to their home world, this probably isn't the caliber of software that you're looking for.

The Thorough Preflight

Dear Rod,

Do you have any suggestions to help students preflight the airplane more thoroughly?

Sincerely,
Danny the CFI

Greetings Danny,

Yes. Carry a bag of official-looking bolts, screws, nuts, and washers in your flight case. Before the student begins the preflight, spread a few of these items underneath the airplane. During the preflight, your student should become concerned with the wayward hardware. Hopefully he or she will question you about these items instead of scooping them up and placing them underneath someone else's airplane.

One of my CFI/mechanic friends placed a Lycoming piston inside the lower cowling lip of a Cessna 152. When the student nudged the airplane, the piston plopped on the ground. Apparently he kept nudging the airplane in an attempt to see if he could get more pistons or at least a crankcase to fall out.

You can also write little reminders on sticky notes and put them on the airplane where students typically don't look. For instance, write "bolt missing" on note paper and stick it near the elevator hinge, or write "bald spot" and stick it on the bottom side of a tire. When your students finish the preflight, they should have all the notes in hand. And be prepared for surprises. One time I wrote "suction gauge shows inadequate suction" on a note and placed it over the suction gauge. I looked away to take care of cockpit business. Later, I saw the student had written, "No, it doesn't!" on the paper. I love sharp students.