Advice Requested

Andrew Sarangan wrote:

Although the number of hours might be indicative of something, that
the least relevant qualification for CFIs. Most instructors spend
countless hours going around the same traffic pattern and flying to
the same airports that hours start to mean very little. I am in that
category, so I know that is true. I have several thousand hours, but
only a few of them are truly meaningful experience.


Personally, I think there should be more hours of aeronautical flying
experience required to obtain a CFI. At least 500, but perhaps like
the ATP, require so many cross country hours, so many night hours etc.
You'd potentially get a better quality instructor and less likely to
have a 'mishap' due to low time and experience.

I'm sure some people would hate that (young guys just wanting to
build hours) but personally I think the quality of flight instruction
would go up a notch... and the students would reap the benefit of
more of these pilots experience. Yes, you would have to pay us more
but you I believe you will get a higher level of instruction from
a more dedicated CFI. Heck, we might actually be able to make a
living flight instructing if we were paid what we were worth. ;^)

On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 08:45:30 -0800 (PST), Andrew Sarangan wrote:

I've got 2 cents I can contribute:

When you visit a flight school ask the question "How many hours do you
have? You can ask this question of everyone you meet because pilots
generally love to answer.

Although the number of hours might be indicative of something, that
the least relevant qualification for CFIs. Most instructors spend
countless hours going around the same traffic pattern and flying to
the same airports that hours start to mean very little. I am in that
category, so I know that is true. I have several thousand hours, but
only a few of them are truly meaningful experience.

Is there a way to ask the question that would filter the answer to
"meaningful" hours?
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On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 08:45:30 -0800 (PST), Andrew Sarangan wrote:

I would say one of the most important factors is figuring out whether
the CFI teaching style is compatible with your learning style. Some people
like to understand the technical details before doing them, and some
others like to try them out first before getting into the details.

Former

These are different learning styles. There are some who are fascinated
by the fundamentals of anything that flies. These are the people who
ask specific questions about each component on the airframe.

Latter

Others are fascinated by the idea of being able to travel by air, and are
more interested in airport environments, navigation and weather.

Latter

This
is not to say these qualities are all exclusive of one another. But
everyone has their own focus areas of interest, and if you can match
it up with your instructor that will be a great combination.

Thanks, again.
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On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:22:01 -0600, Dallas wrote:

On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 08:45:30 -0800 (PST), Andrew Sarangan wrote:

Although the number of hours might be indicative of something, that
the least relevant qualification for CFIs.

Absolutely true. I suggest asking in more of a social context to get the
conversation moving in the right direction.

I would say one of the most important factors is figuring out whether
his teaching style is compatible with your learning style.

As to the personality of the instructor, I had one for a couple of lessons
that was "painfully shy". "Painfully shy" is not a personality trait you
want in an instructor.

I still joke that he was my first passenger.

:-)

Writing "avoid painfully shy passionately"
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