Question about a poor CFI
04-20-2009, 09:28 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Posts: 2
Question about a poor CFI
Greetings all (first post).
I am currently working on my PPL. I have a CFI in his late 40's who has done nothing but instruct the entirety of his career. He is extremely knowledgeable; but in flight, an absolute nightmare. It is not uncommon for him to suggest his students are stupid, yell, and create a simply nerve wracking environment during training. As obvious as the "hey, chill out for a second" method sounds, it does nothing but make the situation worse. I do not want to come across as someone who cannot handle a tongue lashing when one is due, but I am beginning to become somewhat of a paranoid pilot. If anyone has advice as an instructor I would love to hear it, because if I did not love aviation more than I hate him, I would probably be posting in a different forum right now.
I am currently working on my PPL. I have a CFI in his late 40's who has done nothing but instruct the entirety of his career. He is extremely knowledgeable; but in flight, an absolute nightmare. It is not uncommon for him to suggest his students are stupid, yell, and create a simply nerve wracking environment during training. As obvious as the "hey, chill out for a second" method sounds, it does nothing but make the situation worse. I do not want to come across as someone who cannot handle a tongue lashing when one is due, but I am beginning to become somewhat of a paranoid pilot. If anyone has advice as an instructor I would love to hear it, because if I did not love aviation more than I hate him, I would probably be posting in a different forum right now.
Last edited by Thanatos; 04-20-2009 at 02:12 PM.
04-20-2009, 10:22 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: KCCO
Posts: 767
Switch. The instructor is as important to your training as any other part and if you honestly don't feel you can learn effectively from this guy then find a different instructor. Its your money and your training, so if it isn't working out and you feel you have given it an honest chance then tell him that you don't think you are a good fit for his teaching style and are going to find another instructor.
As an instructor I know my students are paying good money and come to learn something new each flight so I do whatever I can to facilitate that learning. Yelling and adding stress, is, IMO, not needed.
As an instructor I know my students are paying good money and come to learn something new each flight so I do whatever I can to facilitate that learning. Yelling and adding stress, is, IMO, not needed.
04-20-2009, 11:15 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: B6
Posts: 780
I would switch asap. I switched CFI's after the first 5 hours of flight instruction when I was working on my PPL. My first instructor just didn't seem to know what he was doing. It made a huge difference switching CFI's. I learned more in my first lesson with a new CFI than I did in the first five with the old CFI. Why spend 160$ p/h to get yelled at?
04-20-2009, 12:08 PM
#6
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,406
Ditto. No need or excuse for that, and someone with that much experience should already know better.
He's probably a career CFI because he knows he could not get away with that behavior in most other professional flying jobs...and he gets his kicks by berating people.
There are a VERY few occasions where you might need to raise your voice for emphasis. Basically only when you are trying to break the student of a potentially fatal bad habit, after other methods fail (like the guy who always gets slow on final, or tends to overshoot and cross-control
)
He's probably a career CFI because he knows he could not get away with that behavior in most other professional flying jobs...and he gets his kicks by berating people.
There are a VERY few occasions where you might need to raise your voice for emphasis. Basically only when you are trying to break the student of a potentially fatal bad habit, after other methods fail (like the guy who always gets slow on final, or tends to overshoot and cross-control
)
04-20-2009, 12:29 PM
#7
Guppy Half-Wing FO
Joined APC: Oct 2007
Position: 737 Right Seat
Posts: 142
Flying is fun and that is what he should be teaching you. I have been teaching for nine years and not once had to yell. You will get nothing from a screamer. I agree switch. He won't make money either and maybe he will see the light.
04-20-2009, 04:24 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: King Air 200 CA Hawker 800/900 FO
Posts: 810
There are a VERY few occasions where you might need to raise your voice for emphasis. Basically only when you are trying to break the student of a potentially fatal bad habit, after other methods fail (like the guy who always gets slow on final, or tends to overshoot and cross-control )
)
04-21-2009, 05:30 AM
#9
Flying Farmer
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
Here will be the true test to your instructor when you tell them you're switching because of incompatibility. If they freak out, you definately made the right move. I'd say 80%+ would encourage your departure since you feel you would learn better with someone else, and they would still offer help if needed, but this guy sounds like the 20% that will never want to see you again.
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