Does the flight instructor not take me seriously?

[Zonno]

About a month ago, I had my first (instructed) flight, where I sat in the left seat, took off, basically flew around wherever I wanted to go, and the instructor landed (although I had my hands on the controls as he did the landing), so it was sort of like an introductory flight.

Since then, I've called him a few times, but as I can only fly on Fridays and Saturdays (I work Monday through Thursday and don't get off until 6 PM), I don't have much of a chance to fly. Also, either the weather is bad or he's on another flight (he flies for a living as well as instructing). But all that's understandable.

But here's the thing I'm wondering. I just got off the phone with him, and he said to meet him at the airport Saturday, and we could work on whatever I wanted to work on (stalls, landings, etc.). But I had figured it should be HIM telling ME what I needed to work on, not the other way around.

Is this normal when you're just starting to learn how to fly (going for solo) for the instructor to ask YOU what you want to do? Also, I'm only 21 years old, so could it be he figures I can't afford to learn how to fly, and so he's taking me up just for the fun of it? (If that's the reason, he'd be wrong; I've been working for 3 years while living with my parents, so I've got a stash saved away in my banking and checking account ). Don't get me wrong, I don't feel he's looking down at me or anything, but I'm wondering if he thinks I'm not serious about flying?

[Dantilla]

There should be a curriculum to follow- Lesson 1 covers straight an level, basic turns. Lesson 2 covers climbs and decents, trim, yada yada.

If there are no lesson plans, it's not that the instructor doesn't take you seriously, it's that the instructor doesn't take instructing seriously.

Plenty of good instructors around. If things don't shape up real soon, its time for you to look elsewhere.

[planesafe1]

I'd look somewhere else. If he has another flying job that is not instructing, then maybe he considers instructing a 'part-time' job and you NEED a full time instructor.

I would find someone who is a full time instructor. Like Dantilla already stated, there is a curriculum to follow and there are specific requirements you have to meet prior to soloing, like a Medical and sign off's. And before a checkride you need 3 hours of hood, 3 hours of night 10 takeoff and landings at night, take off and landings from a controlled airport, Solo flight, three dual cross countries (one night), two solo cross countries, a minimum of 40 hours and more stuff that an instructor would know. You need someone that can spend many, many hours with you. Flying is only a part of it, the ground instruction is equally as important.

Good Luck! I am pretty close to finishing up. I need about 6-8 more hours and I need the snow to STOP FALLING!!!!

Sam

[reggie4828]

Hi all i am going thru the same problem,As i wrote on the thread before this one i feel that these instructors are just time building as quick as possible to move on. Today i am on my way to my flight school to ask for a curriculum and where i stand in my training..Honestly i have no clue on where i am in my lessons all i know is that my instructor gave me a pre-written solo last week and said be prepared. I think that both you and i should ove on to a different instructor.Good Luck!

[jonrood]

I just finished my ppl in 30 days. I learned at Sheble Aviation in Kingman, Az.
I can tell you that your instructor should take an intrest in you, if he/she don't - move on. Good luck!
Looking for the perfect six seater for my family.
Jon

[Josephw]

Your'e gonna kiss a few toads. A good instructor is hard to find. Good ones are around, there is a learning curve to this aviation thing, mine is ongoing, for the past 20+ years. I had one once years ago that was so obnoxious told him I was going to land on a dirt road and he was going to walk home. His demeanor and tone changed dramatically. I forgot to tell him I was "just kidding"!

[airtractorflyer]

Find a different instructor. You need someone that will teach you something not ask you what you want to do. You will never learn like that. I am an Ag-Pilot and I learn something everytime I get in the airplane. The day I stop learning I am going to quit!

[AngelKiha31]

Originally Posted by Josephw

Your'e gonna kiss a few toads. A good instructor is hard to find. Good ones are around, there is a learning curve to this aviation thing, mine is ongoing, for the past 20+ years. I had one once years ago that was so obnoxious told him I was going to land on a dirt road and he was going to walk home. His demeanor and tone changed dramatically. I forgot to tell him I was "just kidding"!

HAHA brilliant!!! *highfive*

But back on topic, my instructor flies part time for UPS, so i know the not available thing. But generally he gets one other local instructor to substitue and fly. In as nice of a suggestion as possible, you need a different instructor. If he is not willing to dedicate time to teaching, and teaching properly, then there's an issue. There generally is a cirriculum to follow, which is all from Jeppesen, i think. Though I can understand wanting to do it on his own method, but that leaves you up to choosing what you're capable of, which may not be a good idea. You could go do stalls and not have the feel of the aircraft and end up in a spin. Or you could stall near landing, or w/e since you do not know the plane yet. The best thing to do is get the kit i mentioned and follow it.

Link for Jeppesen kits:
Kits - JeppDirect

[Zonno]

We've been flying around lately, and although he does have a full time flying job apart from instructing, he's been a pretty good instructor. He knows his stuff, he's VERY patient, although he has no schedule to follow by. Of course, now that I think about it, he has charged me half an hour of ground school before, when we went straight to the airplane and flew.

[LR2205]

Good instructors are hard to come by. Most of them just want to build time and move on. tell him you are in this to be serious. If he does not shape up after the next flight or two, tell him you feel like the match is not right, and move on to someone else. I have been through 4 instructors in my life; I would only consider one of them to be good.

[Zonno]

Here lately, things have seemed to turn around. The instructor has been teaching me a lot more, he's been cracking down on me when it comes to simulated engine failures, and he's even pulled a few engine failures during the pattern.

When I first met him, he may have thought I was just some young, hopeless shy boy who was going to wash out early in the game. But after having a few flights with him, I think he's seen I'm serious about flying.

[Denny of Oakland]

This is only my opinion, however if you have been reading the board pilot training is a serious business. Your certificate pilot instructor (CFI) has a great responsibility to teach you all the skills you need to solo. Keep in mind if during your training something happens it’s your CFI that takes the rap even if you crash on your solo cross-country.

As a new trainee you should be very picky who you have train you. Do you just want to get an endorsement or do you really want to learn something that will keep you safe and those that depend on you.

All CFI’s have a responsibility to teach you step by step and follow some kind of training program. If your CFI does not have a training program it’s time to look else where for a CFI. Some CFI don't take training serious as they should and it thoes that give all CFI's a bad name.

Having said all the above I would go one step further and contact your local FAA Flight Standard District Office (FSDO) and explain what has taken place. I am sure your local FAA will have something to say to a CFI that does not have a training program and lets you do what ever you want.

You can find your local on the FAA web site at Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO)

It you would like some off line assistance send me a private message.

[airfreddy]

hello all:

You all should plan the process before you start out. Don't just go to the local flight school and sign up with an instructor.

Take some time finding the right instructor, It will pay off in the long run

Airfreddy

[Lead7]

At this point the instructor should be guiding you. You may get to a point somewhere down the line where you can tell the instructor what you think you need to work on, but right now you don't even know what you are required to work on by the FAA. I would have a talk with him and tell him that he needs to be more of a guide to you or you will have to go somewhere else.

[Pak Ratt]

I interviewed 17 instructors until I found one that I felt I would gel with-- that included looking at curriculum, interviewing students, talking to other pilots, and going for intro rides-- (for the last three candidates- I did not pay for two of the flights- for me it was part of the interview process- the one who demanded payment was out of the mix- I later paid the other "non-selectee" since he was not chosen)

The instructor works for you- however it is a partnership- both of you get out of the relationship what you put into it.