CFI question

When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

T

Tman wrote:
When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

T



Not by any definition of the word I've ever seen.

On Sep 11, 1:53*pm, Tman x@x wrote:
When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. *Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

T



Ahhh...does that make ANY teacher a syncophant for following
acknowledged techniques?
I think that is kind of a dumb question.
Ol S&B a teacher for over 50 years and a CFI with more than 6000
hours of dual given.

On Sep 11, 1:53*pm, Tman x@x wrote:
When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. *Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

T



T
Did I miss part of it
Ol S&B

On Sep 11, 12:53*pm, Tman x@x wrote:
When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. *Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

T



A sycophant is someone who, out of their own low self-confidence,
seeks validation and acceptance from a person of perceived higher
authority by unabashedly complimenting and agreeing with that person.

A good example of a sycophant is a low self-esteem guy who does
errands, and favors for a woman. "Whipped", if you will.

If the CFI in your example was giving undeserved compliments, and if
he was only doing it because he perceived you as being more
influential, then yes he is a sycophant. People referred to "Yes men"
are also sycophants.

On Sep 11, 11:53*am, Tman x@x wrote:
When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. *Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

I'm not sure if this is suppose to be a serious question or not.
Flying is challenging. There isn't a pilot on this list who can't be
challenged by a good CFI. To spend the entire time telling a pilot
about his short comings isn't productive because at a certain point
people just turn off; either because they just assume they suck or
because they assume the CFI is full of crap. Mixing the good comments
with the feedback gives the pilot a balance.

-Robert, CFII

Tman wrote:
When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

T



Depends on the instructor.

Generally, from the way you have worded your question, I see no problem
at all with what this instructor has done.
It is common practice, and indeed PROPER practice among GOOD
instructors, to interface compliments and encouragement along with
constructive criticism during any dual session with a student.
It is noteworthy (from the inference of your post) that it's not
essential or even required that the student have actually done something
completely right or correct as a requisite for receiving such
compliments and encouragement from an instructor. In fact, in many
instances where such positive reinforcement is offered to a student by a
CFI, the reason for it might very well simply be the first recognition
by the student of a small part of what is required to understand a
specific action or procedure.
Praise judicially used by CFI's is a vital tool used to help instill
much needed confidence in a student.
It's the proper use and timing of praise and criticism, that helps
define a GOOD flight instructor.

--
Dudley Henriques

On Sep 11, 3:43*pm, "Ol Shy & Bashful" wrote:
On Sep 11, 1:53*pm, Tman x@x wrote:

When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.

Here's my question. *Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?

T



T
Did I miss part of it
Ol S&B

Tman
To add to my comments and offer up some observations....... I am
currently senior instructor for a military training/screening program.
I take my responsibility very seriously knowing these young pilots
will potentially be faced with hostile response when they go
operational. Having been shot at and hit tends to color your
perspective.
I have a reputation for being hard and fair. A not uncommon statement
I hear from students is, "He will bust your balls for everything and
you'll learn more from him in an hour than you have learned in the
entire program."
Right up front I tell students I get pretty intensive in the cockpit
up to and including profanity. Does it work for me? If you check with
all the students I've flown with they will tell you YES. Certainly I
don't go overboard with any profanity (depending on who you talk to)
but the intensity doesn't ease up.
Now if you read all the FAA propaganda, I can't possibly be an
effective instructor as I frequently violate all the rules and
guidelines.for fundamentals of instruction. I went thru all that BS
when I was in USMC Drill Instructor school back in the mid 50's.
It often takes a student several hours before I finally tell them they
are doing good. And when I do, they are smiling for days. I'm sure
anyone here can recall favorite teachers and describe why they are
favorites. The challenge is to recall all the mediocre ones? With my 8
younger CFI's, I am watching their techniques carefully and reading
the critiques with an eye to maintaining our standards at a high
level.
I don't see any of them as syncophants.gg
Best Regards
Ol S&B

Hey. I'd pay for a couple hours of that. (really).
I've had a variety of CFI's and I find that flying with a 'hardass' may
not make your day but you sure learn a lot.
Are you around the New England area and have time for the occasional
student...
T


Ol Shy & Bashful wrote:
On Sep 11, 3:43 pm, "Ol Shy & Bashful" wrote:
On Sep 11, 1:53 pm, Tman x@x wrote:

When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism.
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training.
Here's my question. Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?
T

T
Did I miss part of it
Ol S&B

Tman
To add to my comments and offer up some observations....... I am
currently senior instructor for a military training/screening program.
I take my responsibility very seriously knowing these young pilots
will potentially be faced with hostile response when they go
operational. Having been shot at and hit tends to color your
perspective.
I have a reputation for being hard and fair. A not uncommon statement
I hear from students is, "He will bust your balls for everything and
you'll learn more from him in an hour than you have learned in the
entire program."
Right up front I tell students I get pretty intensive in the cockpit
up to and including profanity. Does it work for me? If you check with
all the students I've flown with they will tell you YES. Certainly I
don't go overboard with any profanity (depending on who you talk to)
but the intensity doesn't ease up.
Now if you read all the FAA propaganda, I can't possibly be an
effective instructor as I frequently violate all the rules and
guidelines.for fundamentals of instruction. I went thru all that BS
when I was in USMC Drill Instructor school back in the mid 50's.
It often takes a student several hours before I finally tell them they
are doing good. And when I do, they are smiling for days. I'm sure
anyone here can recall favorite teachers and describe why they are
favorites. The challenge is to recall all the mediocre ones? With my 8
younger CFI's, I am watching their techniques carefully and reading
the critiques with an eye to maintaining our standards at a high
level.
I don't see any of them as syncophants.gg
Best Regards
Ol S&B

On Sep 12, 8:55*am, Tman x@x wrote:
Hey. *I'd pay for a couple hours of that. *(really).
I've had a variety of CFI's and I find that flying with a 'hardass' may
not make your day but you sure learn a lot.
Are you around the New England area and have time for the occasional
student...
T

Ol Shy & Bashful wrote:



On Sep 11, 3:43 pm, "Ol Shy & Bashful" wrote:
On Sep 11, 1:53 pm, Tman x@x wrote:

When taking lessons with a CFI, I've often had them compliment various
aspects of my performance, while also offering constructive criticism..
It seems that this behavior is right out of the pages of CFI training..
Here's my question. *Does that make the CFI a sycophant, by the formal
definition of it?
T

T
Did I miss part of it
Ol S&B

Tman
To add to my comments and offer up some observations....... I am
currently senior instructor for a military training/screening program.
I take my responsibility very seriously knowing these young pilots
will potentially be faced with hostile response when they go
operational. Having been shot at and hit tends to color your
perspective.
I have a reputation for being hard and fair. A not uncommon statement
I hear from students is, "He will bust your balls for everything and
you'll learn more from him in an hour than you have learned in the
entire program."
Right up front I tell students I get pretty intensive in the cockpit
up to and including profanity. Does it work for me? If you check with
all the students I've flown with they will tell you YES. Certainly I
don't go overboard with any profanity (depending on who you talk to)
but the intensity doesn't ease up.
Now if you read all the FAA propaganda, I can't possibly be an
effective instructor as I frequently violate all the rules and
guidelines.for fundamentals of instruction. I went thru all that BS
when I was in USMC Drill Instructor school back in the mid 50's.
It often takes a student several hours before I finally tell them they
are doing good. And when I do, they are smiling for days. I'm sure
anyone here can recall favorite teachers and describe why they are
favorites. The challenge is to recall all the mediocre ones? With my 8
younger CFI's, I am watching their techniques carefully and reading
the critiques with an eye to maintaining our standards at a high
level.
I don't see any of them as syncophants.gg
Best Regards
*Ol S&B- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Tman
No, I'm down on the gulf coast near Pensacola, FL. The home of Naval
Aviation. Check our website;Skywarriorinc.com and you can even find a
picture of me! (whoopee) I'm the one looking so serious and ready to
launch......gg