[First Student] What's it like?

FlyboyZR1

FlyboyZR1

New Member
[First Student] What\'s it like?

I just got hired as a part-time flight instructor, and could possibly have my first student sometime next week. I got my CFI about 3 months ago and feel as though I've forgetten all of that material since I haven't been using it, so I have a lot of studying up to do.

Any tips for a new CFI?

What's it like flying with your first student?

I do realize the student is the customer, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to be the best CFI that I can be ... I'm pretty excited.

I also plan on taking notes during the flight to make sure I review everything that we did and to give them a good critique. I remember in the past seeing a CFI Notepad that instructors could use during flight, but don't remember where to get it.

Thanks for the help
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

Just follow the syllubus you wrote up when you were working on your CFI rating. You did do that, right?

If not, maybe the school has something to guide you.

If not, start with the basics. Climbs, turns, decents, straight and level. Combine those a bit. Introduce the pitch, power relationships. And talk through a takeoff and landing or two. Nose up to climb attitude, and climb power may be normal for you, but not for a person who has never flown.

Remember, you are guiding someone along. You'll get the hang of it after a very short time.

Have fun.
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

[ QUOTE ]
IWhat's it like flying with your first student?

[/ QUOTE ]Sheer, stark terror! Especially when you finaly decide that he's perfect enough for solo.

Sounds to me like you've got what it takes. Wanting to be the best you can be and being worried about doing it wrong, although it can go to extremes) is one of the big signs of someone who is competent. )Ever see an idiot who =didn't= think he was a genius?)

One tip: when you do those critiques, remember that a new student doesn't have enough of a knowledge base to understand some of the details. So hit the larger errors to start and tweak the fine points later.
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

[ QUOTE ]
I just got hired as a part-time flight instructor

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey - congratulations on the CFI position, FlyboyZR1.

I see you're in MN, like me. Where will you be working?
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

Just open up your old logbook and teach by that. Thats what I did. Then I learned to adjust how I saw fit.
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

Funny, following my old logbook is similar to how I designed up a plan. I compared what I'd done on the first few flights, with a number of other sources, FAA, commercial and from other stuff I found online and in other books, etc.
Figured out from that, the order that makes it best for the way I like to teach. From time to time, I'll change a bit, like work on some ground reference stuff, if it is a low overcast day, or xwind landings if a windy day comes up, even if one or two flights out of order from what I normally like to do.

I've put some notes down on paper, keep them as pdf files on my web site, and print them out as needed. I'm making a few changes to stuff actually today, since it was quite wet outside all day, and no flights. Most of the stuff I use is on my site, click: flying, cfi, files, ppl if you want to take a look.

If it all goes well, the first 7 or 8 flights follow my plan pretty well. Then review flights to brush up on skills as needed. Then solo. My lesson 8 is listed as review, where I'll hit on the 61.87d(1-15) stuff as needed. Usually fly that somewhere between 3-5 times with a student, and works well. That way, I know all the skills are there, and we can spend time working on just what is needed.

I'm off to write up a local radio procedures thingy. The AIM is really lacking in this area, and I like to give handouts, so students can come back the next time prepared
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

[ QUOTE ]
feel as though I've forgetten all of that material since I haven't been using it

[/ QUOTE ]

And remember, not to neglect your obligation, but you have forgotten much more than this guy knows!
wink.gif


Congrats, study up, and good luck... they will try to kill you!
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

Just be yourself. The one thing I can say is, don't forget your FOI. Esp how to minimize student frustration. They get frustrated almost everyday.
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

Thanks for the advice.

I found this Jeppesen Private Pilot Syllabus which I think I'm going to use. I'm instructing Part 61 but it said it'll work with either 61/141. Has anybody used it?

Private Pilot Syllabus
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

We use the Jepp syllabus at my school, currently Part 61. Apparently, we're also going to use it here shortly, when we finish up our 141 cert. process. It seems like it's ordered fairly well, though overly optimistic on the timeframe. On flight 3, they've got you doing hoodwork............few of my students have ever even gotten the S&L outside picture by flight 3, let alone be ready for basic instrument stuff. So I generally plan on 2-3 actual lessons, per every one of their lessons.
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

[ QUOTE ]
It seems like it's ordered fairly well, though overly optimistic on the timeframe. . . . So I generally plan on 2-3 actual lessons, per every one of their lessons.

[/ QUOTE ]

For much of the syllabus, I agree.
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

I remember my first lesson with a student....I was more afraid than the student. I thought I had to save the landing but looking back I didn't. Also, remember to have the student do as much as possible, they won't learn something if you keep butting in to do it (trust me on this one).

As far as tips....
- Make a file plan to keep any handouts, lesson plans, good articles you find in magazines on maneuvers, etc. I also made a folder for each of my students to keep copies of endoresements, pre-solo writtens, etc. It keeps it easy when three years roll around and you can ditch your records in one shot. Go pick up one of those plastic file holders at an office supply store and some manilla folders and you'll be set.

- Teach them to get the weather very early on in flight training. It's an easy skill to master right away. Have them brief you too so they get used to reading and interpreting weather (just make sure to get a briefing too!!!)

I'll get off my soap box now, but remember, you have an incredible responsibility to your students and the flying public in general. Take your time as a CFI seriously and don't use it only to build hours. I've seen plenty of CFIs who take that attitude.

Hope I was helpful.
Nate

PS - remember if you don't know an answer, look it up with the student (he/she will remember and you will too!)
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

[ QUOTE ]
I remember my first lesson with a student....I was more afraid than the student.

[/ QUOTE ]

concur totally! my first student's first lesson went something like this:

me: ok, let me kind of demonstrate a little about the plane and how flying it differs from driving a car (thinking - boy, look at those clouds coming in really fast)
him: ok - hey, those are clouds out there
me: yes, those are clouds and they seem to be underneath us now
him: cool
me: (thinking - yeah, real cool, i'm not IFR current :P)
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

I think that the flight instructing came a lot easier than I had expected but the GROUND instruction was way more intense than I had realized-- which was weird b/c I excelled in my own training at the ground study portion. Anyway, I always looked forward to flying and then felt overwhelmed by the amount of ground instruction that I needed to get across to the student.

But the suggestions here are great-- I used a Jepp syllabus to kind of start and then consulted a lot of more experienced instructors to help me further-
Good luck!
j
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

yeahthat.gif


The 141 program is easy. You just go by the syllabus. But the part 61 stuff is a little bit tougher. I use what is required by the regs for whatever certification I am doing along with the PTS standards books. ( A little trick I picked up from my instructor at Skymates)

The tougher thing is picking up a student that got previous training from another flight school, finding out what he/she knows, and where to go from there.
 
Re: [First Student] What\'s it like?

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the advice.

I found this Jeppesen Private Pilot Syllabus which I think I'm going to use. I'm instructing Part 61 but it said it'll work with either 61/141. Has anybody used it?

Private Pilot Syllabus

[/ QUOTE ]

Another thing. The ground portion of the Jeppesen Private Pilot Syllabus goes along right with the Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual if you have it.
 
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