How To Pick A Flight Instructor

As you advance in your ratings the easiest mistake to make is to take on a flight instructor who you haven't researched well enough. Flight schools hire instructors who have anywhere from 250 hours experience to high time ATP's. You won't know which one is the best for you unless you ask questions. A student I know spoke with every instructor at our flight school until deciding. Chemistry counts for a lot, and most important is the ability for the two of you to communicate on the same wavelength. Training is a very stressful activity for the both of you, so you should check out the person whom you plan on hiring before you make the commitment to pay that person for training you.

 

Change instructors if you get the notion that you are not getting a fair deal, or if you think your instructor would rather be doing something else. For a lot of instructors, being a CFI is just a stepping stone toward the airlines, but I've found the ones who are dedicated to their students will make out better overall in their career. Ask your instructor if he or she would rather fly with you on a lesson, or take a charter in the twin, and why. Judge the answer and go on from there.

Whoever you end up flying with, make absolutely sure that your flight instructor gives you a copy of the Flight Training Syllabus he or she will use during the training. You have a right to know exactly what you will be working on, and know the sequence of training activities. Read the syllabus. It must contain the elements of each and every flight lesson you plan on taking. If your flight says something like "Ah, I've got lots of experience, I'll decide what you'll work on and when..." then you should politely say "Thanks." and find another instructor who has a written plan of action. This will save you money through the course of your lessons, because you can then prepare for each lesson. Beware of flight instructors who do not charge you for ground time before and after each lesson.

Expect to pay for at least 2/10ths of an hour before and after each lesson, otherwise you are probably not getting the best instruction. I've worked for both kinds of flight schools, and I know the difference. I've seen students loose interest in a program that was not structured, and I've seen students who were propelled through a formal regimented FAR Part 141 program who were mediocre pilots. The best combinations of student pilots and instructors have always met through a process of researching each other, and making a commitment to attain the goal of getting certified. Each step of this goal must be documented by a written plan of action, or outline.

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