First CFI Job

[troopernflight]

Things have gone well in my first week after earning my CFI rating. I have one school that will be interviewing me on Tuesday, but it's more of a formality since they already know me, and told me they were going to use me to instruct. I should be getting a decent amount of business there. Then, on a whim, I went by another airport about 20 miles in the other direction and spoke to a guy at the local university. Apparently they have a flying club for the students/faculty and have 3 airplanes. He said he was in desperate need of another CFI, so I am meeting with him to get checked out in the aircraft tomorrow, and should be getting a lot of business there. The great thing about that gig is that the aircraft rent for 80/hr to 100/hr for a 152 or 172, and once I'm on board, I'll be able to rent the aircraft for those rates if I ever need to. I'm looking forward to getting started, though I'm a little nervous since I've never instructed before. If anyone has any advice to instill on me as I get started, I would appreciate it.

 

[Ajax]

Congrats. In the next few months all of that FOI stuff you crammed into your head will be replaced by practical knowledge. My first 50-100 hrs as a CFI I was still wondering what the heck I was doing teaching. You figure it out, your style of instruction and get more comfortable in an instructional sense. You'll learn more in the next year as a CFI than you have all the way up until now.

Never get complacent, never stop learning. Come back from each flight a better pilot than you took off as.

Also, CFI is a certificate, ratings are what go on the back.

 

[troopernflight]

Ha! I haven't even started instructing yet and I'm already making mistakes... what a start! Thanks for the advice. I can't wait to start the learning process, but I have heard it takes a while to get comfortable. I guess I just have to remember that there is always something I can offer to help my students, no matter what stage of training they are at. I definitely have a ways to go before I'll feel like I know enough to consider myself a highly competent instructor, but I'm just going to give it my best. I just hope I can keep students motivated and coming back. I heard that can be a challenge.

 

[statusseeker1]

Let your students make mistakes. I tried my hardest not to take the controls over or "help" them while doing maneuvers or trying to land. It's tough but learn to sit on your hands and let your brain explain what your hands want to do. Of course, you need to know when to take over if things are going too far south!