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Old December 2nd 15, 07:31 AM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
Teacher
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Default CFI vs FBO owner?


Wondering if other CFIs would offer insight here.

My solo student was in the pattern at an uncontrolled field. Second solo flight ever, calm day, no pattern traffic. Insurance requires a CFI to monitor solo students. The lookie-loos on the ramp notice a powered ram-air parachute approaching the field.

Student is on downwind; the chute is so distant you cannot observe the clothing of that pilot and it is heading upwind.

The FBO owner grabs a handheld and begins giving traffic calls to the solo student, who responds that they don't see the chute. After two radio calls, one to report the chute position, and one to report that traffic is no factor, I ask that the owner please refrain from talking to the student again.
"Please, just let XXXXX be."

I am rounded on and loudly lectured that I have fewer hours than the 5000 hrs. of instruction than he has, that this was an issue of flight safety, and that he will always act in cases of flight safety. This owner is not a current CFI, and has never flown with this student, nor in that make/model. Several people including other staff were in earshot, and quietly turned away.

I walk away, meet the student after their landing, and complement them on a nice job. They mention not having seen the chute -- even despite the calls. I reply that it is difficult to see something below the horizon when all colors are dark, and not to worry. The chute was so wide versus the downwind that we couldn't see arms/legs/clothing. I reassure the pilot that had the traffic been close -- they would have noticed it.

The chute was so distant, it was never a factor. It never approached the field and never landed where we could see it.

Fifteen minutes later, after securing the machine, I returned to the owner PRIVATELY and asked him to not interfere in the cockpit environment with my solo students. I noted that he did not know the emotional state of the teenage pilot, nor their proficiency, and a distraction at 800 agl with two turns to go was not a good idea.

The response was heated. "You started it, by speaking to me publicly." He fully intends to radio any student at any time, due to his superior experience.

Would any other CFI accept this potential interaction in their employment relationship? I am the one who signs the student's book.
Anyone else come up against this?

Would you care to provide any reply or reference here that I can later share to this fellow?

Teacher