Instructor Problems

[Panda]

Hi all,

I've come to the realization that part of my unenthusiasm is due to my instructor. It seems he is quick to give me crap about the smallest things, but NEVER to give me a quick compliment.

Just an example, in my last x-country everything went extra smooth, including the approach and touchdown. I was really proud of myself when I touched down. But instead of him being happy for me and complimenting me on a job well done, he gets pissed for not taking an earlier taxi way off the runway!

I dread going to a lesson, he doesn't motivate me as I think an instructor should.

I have all my financing with the same school, i'm about 80% done with my training, and don't know what to do. It's almost like a chore to have to sit in the plane with him!

I'm almost to the point of saying $%^& you, you're fired. I feel i'm paying to much money to not have my training be fun.

Any suggestions??

[siegelaviation]

Can you take that financed cash from the school and take it to a different school?

[Panda]

I'm really not sure if I can, and I don't want to ask the school as they might think something fishy is going on.... maybe I will as the financing people.


Do you think that would be a good way to go this far in my training?

[jrbauerjr]

Panda,

You are paying the bills and as such, you get the choice of instructors. Just tell the chief instructor that you've hit an impasse with instructor A and would like to fly with someone else for a while. Don't worry, it happens to all of us...

Jim

[gosterho]

Switch instructors! Since back in flying I have been involved with 4 instructors. Two were great, one was average at best, and one stunk. The one that stunk I could not wait to get out of the plane. If I were stuck with him too many times, I would take up boating. You need to find one that fits your personality and motivates. They are out there. Find one.

[Jacob9582]

Very similar thing happened to me, got my Private,highperformance and complex all w/the same instructor who was very cool and we even hung out occasionally outside of lessons. well eventually he just decided he didnt like instructing anymore and became somewhat uninthused about helping me progress. i was paying the bills so i took my $ elsewhere where it could be used to its full potential. flying is EXPENSIVE you dont want to waste $

[oldafpilot]

I agree with the other respondents--find a new instructor. An instructor once told me that a student teaches himself/herself to fly; the instructor is there to supervise the experience. The instructor must also and primarily develop a student's confidence, judgement, self analysis and sense of awareness. If an instructor is increasing your anxiety level, your mind is not free to focus on the subtle parts of the learning opportunity that lead to an increase of competence, confidence and awareness.

[spdt75]

if the financed money is through a third party (for example, Sallie Mae), AND if the school has any scruples whatsoever, they should honor your request to refund the remaining portion of your loan proceeds back to the lender without any issues. of course if you can find another instructor at the school to work with, that is an easier solution for many reasons, but my point is this- if the money isn't locked up, meaning you won't lose it if you don't use it at this school, then don't let the loan money be your primary motivation to continue training with your current instructor, or for that matter, your current flight school.

other people have said it best, but to paraphrase- it's your money! don't spend it unless you WANT to.

[Vince66]

I had all my training go nice and smooth and loved it. When i went to a new instructure for my IFR rating, it was absolute hell. He was a complete jerk. I dropped him fast and found a new one and my progress took off much faster.

[ElaineP8]

Just cuz the guy isn't giving you kudos doesn't mean he's a bad instructor. His job is to make you a safe pilot. He's probably one of these who thinks no news is good news. If he says nothing, everything's hunkey-dory. I have found some of my best allies as instructors (through other various things I've learned) you don't know who the "angel" is. That grumpy IP might be your best friend some day, when it comes right down to the short strokes. OTOH, if there are other instructors available, you might try to get somebody else. Otherwise, just suck it up and consider your Private the biggest kudo of all.

[mjl196]

I've had three instructos in my life: My Dad, the best one, a great CFI when I was in college and an uncompetent and a dangerous CFI when I was in the Navy. I walked away from the third after my very first lesson with him. (More on that in a minute)

The duty of the CFI is to make you a competent and safe pilot. Period. Ask yourself: "Am I learning to become a safe and competent pilot?" If the answer is "yes", carry on. If the answer is, "No, I'm afraid that no matter what I do, it will be wrong," then move on. CFIs are supposed to correct pretty much everything you're supposed to be paying attention to, but not to the point where you lose confidence.

It's not about the money. It's about the fact that you and I will share a pattern some day and you better damn well be on the ball because I don't want to fly in a pattern with anybody but a safe and competent pilot.

My third instructor: We did a short hop from Lemoore to Visalia. Now, when I was 10 years old, my Dad taught me that every time you shut down the engine, you did a full exterior instpection and fired back up by the checklist. I started my exterior, the instructor got in the airplane and told me to "hurry up" (Two of the most dangerous words in aviation.) So, I got in. I then started my pre-start checklist and this dude *reaches over* and starts the airplane. Big no-no. PIC starts the plane when he or she is ready. Period. We flew back to Lemoore, I got out and never flew with this dangerous man again. Unfortunately, not all CFIs should be. (Remember that.)

Trust your instincts. If you are not comfortable, find another instructor. Airplanes and weather will be here when you come back.

Finally, for my money, whether or not you hit the first taxiway is way low on the list of priorities. Getting the airplane on the ground in one piece and taxiing off the runway when safe to do so are far more important. If traffic behind you has to go around because you miss the first taxiway, they're following too close anyway.

[Howard]

Originally Posted by ElaineP8

Just cuz the guy isn't giving you kudos doesn't mean he's a bad instructor. His job is to make you a safe pilot.

If the instructor's actions (or lack thereof) are not contributing to the learning process, then he/she IS a bad instructor or possibly he/she was trained very poorly to be a CFI.

The whole point of getting your Flight Instructor cert is to learn HOW TO TEACH. We learn that sometimes you have to change your methods to suit the needs of the student. The student should not always have to modify their learning to meet the techniques of the instructor. If this student needs positive reinforcement, then by God the student should get it.

[Deanne757]

An instructor can make or break your passion for flying in the beginning.

I dreaded going to the airport when I had a nasty instructor. Then once I got an awesome instructor I loved going to the airport.

NEVER SETTLE! Change instructors. I am a CFI, if you are professional a change of instructor request is not offensive.

Instructors are getting newer and newer as the Regionals ramp up hiring. Be careful of that too.

GOOD LUCK! and remember.... DO. OBSERVE. ADJUST.

[flying4sum]

I got through my single engine training with the same type of instructor, thought I was an ok pilot and sort of well trained...Then I decided to buy a twin and get a multi rating (no 6 hour fly by night course here), I found a local guy who was a king air pilot for his day job. WOW what a difference, when I really wanted to go flying and learn VS going to get picked on. After 3 weeks with this guy I was better trained than 6 months with the first guy. Remeber most accidents are pilot error, so do not put up with anything that gets in the way of learning (esp. a bad instructor)...

[nyflyboy]

Well let me just say it took me 7 different CFI's over 8 years to finally get my
ticket.

Lot's of different reasons for the lenght of time & number of CFI's.

Bottom line though, your the boss in this endevor & you want to have the BEST employee for the job. That job is to teach you how to be a safe &
proficent pilot.

If your CFI is not fitting the bill, then why the HECK are you paying him to
not get the job done?

I agree that you need to talk with the head CFI & have a heart to heart.

Go from there, and you will finally find a CFI you can click with.

GOOD LUCK & Keep us posted on your results.

Regards,

Randy PP - ASEL 09/17/07.