Giving my instructor the boot

n57flyguy

n57flyguy

Well-Known Member
Well, Im posting here because you guys can really help me out.

My dad is paying for my flight training, so I have little room to dissagree, but every thing to agree. He isnt a drill sergent instructor, hes just lazy. Why we have decided to let him go:

1) Logbook? I've got two hours and I dont have one. First lesson, my dad asked "oh, does he get a logbook?" ahh, well I like to wait out before I get any new students any pilot supplies, im not a salesmen. His exact words. I could see waiting to get pilot supplies like a headset, or some big purchase, but not a logbook? come on, if my dad is paying $125 for a lesson, why not pay an extra $10 for a logbook? My dad got all upset because when my dad flew, the first thing he would do is fill out the logbook and have the instructor sign it off. So I have time that can't be accredited yet because I dont have a freakin log book.
2) Hes lazy. We had to reschedule a lesson, so my dad calls the CFI and he says sure, ahh can you call the FBO and get the airplane for that block? WTF? isnt that his job? Also, he was late 15 minutes to my lesson and walked around the FBO for another 10 while I had everything ready to go in hand, Im like lets fly and hes like lets eat FBO brownies. He likes to have other people do his small work for him, things like punching numbers in the computer.

As for his instruction, its alright, its a bit early to tell. The only thing about it is his preflight. Its inconsistent with what Ive heard and from others.

So my dads getting me a logbook, making my instructor sign it, saying "your fired" and calling up another and saying "your hired".

Do you guys think Im crazy or right on the money? alot of people have told me to keep an open mind about my instructor and if Im not comfortable, change. I think its going to happen either way. Thanks for your help.

Paul
 
Seems to me that if you think its the right thing to do, then it should be done. The instructor should realize that you're his customer, and his job is to ensure that you are satisfied with your training. However, make sure that he is fully aware of your complaints. Amazingly, some people just are tuned in to their own mistakes.

If you're not satisfied, it's time for another instructor. His instruction in the airplane might be fantastic, but that's not the entire equation.

Good luck!
 
I agree. Dump him. Come north a few hours and I'll instruct you. :)

And actually, it sounds like he might be taking advantage of your age.
 
I agree with the previous posts. If you dont think its working out for you now I highly doubt that it will later on. The only recommendation that I would have for you is to call the CFI yourself and talk to him. I know your dad is paying but you're the one taking lessons. I started when I was 15. My parents wouldn't really back me at first because they thought I was just toying around with the idea of flying. I had to go out and find an instructor that believed in me, in turn he respected me a lot more. Of course, I had a supportive relative that drove me to my first couple of lessons but if I were you I would find the instructor that you like, not your dad. Good luck in your search!
 
I agree... are having second thoughts such as these then the best thing to do is find another instructor! A lot of people (flight schools included) get used to students spending $125 or "more" a day on flight training and forget all about the fact that they are the customer and should be treated as such!
 
That guy is an idiot....Fire his ass, and move on. You are paying for it, get what you want out of your training.
 
Paul,
Your def. doing the right thing. I know way too many guys who stick with the same instructor out of some sort of false sense of obligation(me included at one time), when the instructor was definetly not the right fit...Either didnt care anymore about instructing and was just waiting for the "call" or didnt really have a clue, but either way, if you dont feel comfortable, and dont feel like your getting your monies worth, then def. find a new one, youll regret it otherwise...Out of curiousity, by your name is that new garden you fly out of?
 
Sounds like your dads making the call no matter what. It is his money. I'm sure if you totally loved your CFI you could talk your dad out of it. Anyhow, you should have had a logbook from square one. Not sure how big the school is but your dad should discuss this with the management and ask for a different CFI.

It's possible you're not being taken seriously because your younger and it's your dad's money. I've noticed kids often don't get the benefit of the doubt, or respect, in the adult world (I notice this with some of the staff at the Y I volunteer at). At the same time, they often do things that cause the adult world to look on them with suspiscion and doubt their trustworthiness (I notice this in the way some kids behave at the Y I volunteer at).

So....you may have some preconceived prejudice to overcome with certain CFI's. It's no big deal as long as you're serious and a hard worker. You'll soon show people what you're made of and maybe change some opinions.

Sorry for the sermon...it just slipped out....

It may or may not apply to your situation.
 
Yea I am giving my instructor the boot as well. She is a nice person but i have had the exact same lesson 3 times now. Each time we have done ground reference manuvers and she would say that next time we would do paterns and move on to other things. Well then I'll get in the plane and she'll be like ok ground reference manuvers and i'll be like we did those the last few lessons, and then you said we will move on. Then she just is like well ok I don't think I said that, so we will do manuvers again. Oh also, I have 10 hours and she won't let me land! wtf. I started flying with her from 5 hours until now, but with my previous CFIs they let me land. So it is just being repetitive and not worth my $130 with her, if I am going to keep doing the same thing over and over.

So my next lesson will be with the president of the club. And besides, flying with the president has its perks! (I flew with him one other time) Like we will stop and pick up a radio at a different airport or stop and talk with his friends, so overall it is more fun to fly with the prez.

n57 flyguy it does seem he is taking advantage of you. Move on like I am doing, it will be worth it.
 
GrantHubbell said:
Yea I am giving my instructor the boot as well. She is a nice person but i have had the exact same lesson 3 times now. Each time we have done ground reference manuvers and she would say that next time we would do paterns and move on to other things. Well then I'll get in the plane and she'll be like ok ground reference manuvers and i'll be like we did those the last few lessons, and then you said we will move on. Then she just is like well ok I don't think I said that, so we will do manuvers again. Oh also, I have 10 hours and she won't let me land! wtf. I started flying with her from 5 hours until now, but with my previous CFIs they let me land. So it is just being repetitive and not worth my $130 with her, if I am going to keep doing the same thing over and over.

So my next lesson will be with the president of the club. And besides, flying with the president has its perks! (I flew with him one other time) Like we will stop and pick up a radio at a different airport or stop and talk with his friends, so overall it is more fun to fly with the prez.

n57 flyguy it does seem he is taking advantage of you. Move on like I am doing, it will be worth it.
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Good lord... your instructor suuuuuucked! Good move dropping her!
 
Thanks alot guys!!! I would quote you all but I don't have enough time. Yes, hes getting the boot ASAP. What he just did ten minutes ago, seriously.

Weather is bad here, low celings and thunder clouds. My dad just got a call from the FBO, yes the FBO and they told him the lesson was canceled. Why didn't the instructor call and explain to me why? Why didn't he call me directly and tell me it was canceled? He didn't offer any rescheduling plan ethier. Now that you guys metioned it, he is taking advantage of me and were going to talk to with him and tell him that hes fired.

Grant, man that sucks, definitely move on.

whoever asked, yes Im flying out of New Garden, why you ask?

Chinook, any time!!!:nana2:
 
Paul... just an overall peice of advice (I know what they say about un-asked for advice... sorry) -- it just seems that your Dad is handling lots of things that maybe you should. I know he's paying for it, which does give him control, but I hear a lot of "my dad this and my dad that" in your posts. We have a few guys your age who hang around the FBO, answer phones, and that sort of thing, and a lot of times they don't assert themselves because they are shy (probably because of their youth and experience.) Respecting others age and/or experience is great and certainly needed (if deserved), but sometimes you have to nut up and take charge of your own life.

And this really isn't in response to THIS specific post, just a general thought. And trust me, I'm not trying to be an ass or act holier than thou because my age or experience (or lack thereof depending on who I'm talking too!)... and I think with your enthusiasm and lust for knowledge you're really going to go places.
 
ChinookDriver said:
Paul... just an overall peice of advice (I know what they say about un-asked for advice... sorry) -- it just seems that your Dad is handling lots of things that maybe you should. I know he's paying for it, which does give him control, but I hear a lot of "my dad this and my dad that" in your posts. We have a few guys your age who hang around the FBO, answer phones, and that sort of thing, and a lot of times they don't assert themselves because they are shy (probably because of their youth and experience.) Respecting others age and/or experience is great and certainly needed (if deserved), but sometimes you have to nut up and take charge of your own life.

And this really isn't in response to THIS specific post, just a general thought. And trust me, I'm not trying to be an ass or act holier than thou because my age or experience (or lack thereof depending on who I'm talking too!)... and I think with your enthusiasm and lust for knowledge you're really going to go places.
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NO offense takin at all!!! I know I just say it alot because yeah its his money but I brought it up to him on the FIRST lesson about how he was getting others to do his work, and my dad agreed with me. Im in charge, if he was a great instructor in the air, maybe a differrent story, but for me its to early to tell. I think tis the best decision now and IMO hes not making his instruction very personal to me, as I think it should be.
 
Note to instructors out there: Never use the word cancel. Instead use the word re-schedule...

Back to the thread.
 
GrantHubbell said:
n57 flyguy it does seem he is taking advantage of you. Move on like I am doing, it will be worth it.
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and don't try to spare his feelings with the...it's not you, it's me speech. Tell him it's definitely you. This guy sounds like one of those instructors that has no problems with "milking" his students.

HS
 
unfortunately with n57 and grant h we only have one side of the story. now, i'm not disagreeing with your choices or decisions, but i am not agreeing with you both either.

first, your perception of the situation may be different from the reality, maybe they will coincide, but i can't tell since it is a one sided complaint; but have you considered that:

1.) your instructor was doing exactly what he said when he said, "i like to wait before my new students get any pilot supplies." 2 hours is what? 2 flights? it can easily be put into a log book. Could it be that this instructor is determining whether he will ever see you again (and saving you $10) But I also agree that he probably could've said, "these are the things you're going to need." It sounds like your dad is a pilot. He very well then knows you will need a logbood, so aren't you making a mountain outta a molehill and starting problems for the sake of starting problems?

2.) NO, it is not necessarily the instructor's job to schedule your flight lessons. Does he know when you are free? Probably saves you both a headache by your instructor suggesting you do something that you have information about. Lazy? I don't think so. Sure, could've he helped? I think that's great customer service, but is he lazy because he had you do it?

3.) Sometimes I like brownies too. I fly back to back flights ALL DAY and maybe, just maybe 2 days a week out of a 6.5 day work week I will get lunch. Thank god I can grab a pretzel or hotdog on the way to the plane somedays. We are not ROBOTS we are human. And yes sometimes we run a little behind schedule. I think it would have been courteous of him to apoligize, but even sometimes I forget that too.

4.) Listening to others is not necessarily a bad thing about the preflight thingy. Could be reliable, maybe not. That's why it's called gossip. People talking about other people behind their back. Why don't you ask him what he points out in a preflight as compared to other instructors? I know what my colleauges focus on that I do not, and vice versa. We all have our cocentrations.

so in summary to you, i do not think you are on the money; nor, do i think that you're crazy. I think however you may have been a little more communicative to the instrucotr and you both probably could have been slightly more professional.

As an instructor I strive to do my best at all times, and sometimes I fall short - forgive me, please. But at the same time sometimes the customer is not always right. Diplomacy helps, but the customer is not always right, just like I am not.

and granthubbell - do you mean that your instructor is not letting you land unassisted or she is landing the plane each flight? the only reason I'm asking is that I know of few pilots that can land unassisted with 10 hours if they spent time practicing maneuvers in the practice area first. Maybe if all 10 hours were in the pattern racking up 30 landings, but 5 flights to practice maneuvers and you expect to land?

Sometimes, just like in the above post, the customer is not always right. Now you may shop around until you find someone who concedes to what you tell them to do, but I think as a 10 hour pilot you may need to recognize that instructors do have more experience and know what they are doing. Had you considered that you're doing ground ref so that your pattern gets better?
 
With the scheduling... Does your CFI know your schedule? That should be something you are doing. If he just scheduled you every day from 9-11 I bet you would have problems with that too.

As for the logbook, that is probably the first thing you should buy. Also, he can't legally sign it saying that he gave you flight training until you show him a birth cert. of passport and get the TSA endorsement. Did he mention that at all? If not bring those things in and tell him to start writing.
 
Timbuff10 said:
With the scheduling... Does your CFI know your schedule? That should be something you are doing. If he just scheduled you every day from 9-11 I bet you would have problems with that too.

As for the logbook, that is probably the first thing you should buy. Also, he can't legally sign it saying that he gave you flight training until you show him a birth cert. of passport and get the TSA endorsement. Did he mention that at all? If not bring those things in and tell him to start writing.
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Mondays at 4:30 every week, and sometimes every two weeks.
 
GrantHubbell said:
Yea I am giving my instructor the boot as well. She is a nice person but i have had the exact same lesson 3 times now. Each time we have done ground reference manuvers and she would say that next time we would do paterns and move on to other things. Well then I'll get in the plane and she'll be like ok ground reference manuvers and i'll be like we did those the last few lessons, and then you said we will move on. Then she just is like well ok I don't think I said that, so we will do manuvers again. Oh also, I have 10 hours and she won't let me land! wtf. I started flying with her from 5 hours until now, but with my previous CFIs they let me land. So it is just being repetitive and not worth my $130 with her, if I am going to keep doing the same thing over and over.

So my next lesson will be with the president of the club. And besides, flying with the president has its perks! (I flew with him one other time) Like we will stop and pick up a radio at a different airport or stop and talk with his friends, so overall it is more fun to fly with the prez.

n57 flyguy it does seem he is taking advantage of you. Move on like I am doing, it will be worth it.
Click to expand...

Im dropping mine as well. I ve been doing stalls, slow flight, touch and goes for months now. At first I started thinking I just sucked and I would ask my Instructor if I suck tell me, I dont want to waste anymore money of course he says "oh no your doing fine you should solo very soon" Its partly my fault because i let it go on for so long. IMHO, DROP HIS @$$!!!!
 
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