How did you handle your first few students as a CFI?

IslandFlyer

IslandFlyer

Well-Known Member
Just out of curiosity, now that being a CFI is within reach I've thought about this a lot.

Obviously you don't try to hide the fact that you're a rookie. But I was wondering how you went about explaining to your first student, that they were your first student and was it awkward?

I'm sure most students out there don't want to be the guinea pig. I know every instructor I've flown with I've asked about their experience, how long they've been instructing, their flying background, etc. I think I would be a little apprehensive about being a CFI's first student.

Any good stories from former CFI's about their experiences with their first students?
 
I cried and wet myself.....then I think I blacked out, my first hour student had to take me back in and land it. It was HORRIBLE!
 
Be confident and dont look at it as your first student. You will teach that person many things. The funny thing is you will learn a tremendous amount from their mistakes or ways of doing things. The number one thing is stay confident. Good luck!
 
Don't think of it as teaching...think of it as you showing them how a plane works and you both learning from it.

Don't just wing it though. Do some work now, take an existing syllabus and come up with what you would teach for each lesson. Make lesson plans with the intent to use them and you will be much more prepared then most CFIs. It also makes one hell of a Resume booster and you can bring it with you on your interview to take up time if they ask about it.

Good luck its awsome you'll love it.
 
IslandFlyer said:
Obviously you don't try to hide the fact that you're a rookie. But I was wondering how you went about explaining to your first student, that they were your first student and was it awkward?
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Telling your student that they're the first is the first mistake. You're a paid professional. Act like it. If you walk in confident, knowledgeable and professional you will be treated as such. Maneuvers are easy, flying is easy. The hard part is being a teacher but if your prepared its not that hard. Confidence!
 
BajtheJino said:
Maneuvers are easy, flying is easy. The hard part is being a teacher but if your prepared its not that hard. Confidence!
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They are easy for you, just remember that when you teach your students they have spent <their age> on the ground and some will love it, some will hate it, and a million others will fall in between.

Take all of the complex stuff and make it as simple as you can in your prepared lessons.

Being unprepared and confident is ripping your student off. You must be prepared and confident to be ready to teach. If you want an idea of what is involved ask a teacher at a local school to let you do a one hour lesson. Do it on something difficult at your skill level (like flying will be) and you will see how prepared you need to be.

Good luck, and you thought you were nervous when you first soloed...haha just wait
 
BajtheJino said:
Telling your student that they're the first is the first mistake. You're a paid professional. Act like it. If you walk in confident, knowledgeable and professional you will be treated as such. Maneuvers are easy, flying is easy. The hard part is being a teacher but if your prepared its not that hard. Confidence!
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Maybe I worded it wrong.

I'm not saying that on day one I'm going to offer the fact that the student would be my first. I do believe however, that it is the students right to know the instructors background if they so wish.

The first questions out of my mouth while searching for instructors for my private, instrument, commercial, and CFI training was their experience levels. How long they'd been instructing, pass/fail rate, plans for the future (are they going to leave me hanging half way through the course?).

Again, not saying that I'd volunteer the information unless asked, just wondering how those of you that have already been there and done that handled it.
 
Re: How did you handle your first few students as a CFI?
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With an Iron Fist and a Cold Heart.
:D

IslandFlyer said:
Maybe I worded it wrong.

I'm not saying that on day one I'm going to offer the fact that the student would be my first. I do believe however, that it is the students right to know the instructors background if they so wish.

The first questions out of my mouth while searching for instructors for my private, instrument, commercial, and CFI training was their experience levels. How long they'd been instructing, pass/fail rate, plans for the future (are they going to leave me hanging half way through the course?).

Again, not saying that I'd volunteer the information unless asked, just wondering how those of you that have already been there and done that handled it.
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Seriously though - handle it with confidence but not over-confidence. Be calm and professional. Understand you will make mistakes and be okay with that. If you make a mistake in front of a student, admit it and tell/show them the correct way. (Primacy!) Don't be afraid to say "I don't know," but know enough to not be the "lets look it up guy" after every single question.

I agree you shouldn't offer up the fact that they are your first student. Your demeanor and professionalism should be enough to assure them. However, if directly asked, it might be a good idea to tell the truth but highlight how many years you've been flying - the number of flight hours you have (don't laugh - 250 seems like a lot to someone with 0), and let them know you are fully qualified to be their instructor. You could also give them references or recommendations from the chief pilot, a DPE, etc. You could also advise them that if they are not comfortable you can refer them to Mr. Blank who is more experienced.
 
Ian J said:
With an Iron Fist and a Cold Heart.
:D



Seriously though - handle it with confidence but not over-confidence. Be calm and professional. Understand you will make mistakes and be okay with that. If you make a mistake in front of a student, admit it and tell/show them the correct way. (Primacy!) Don't be afraid to say "I don't know," but know enough to not be the "lets look it up guy" after every single question.

I agree you shouldn't offer up the fact that they are your first student. Your demeanor and professionalism should be enough to assure them. However, if directly asked, it might be a good idea to tell the truth but highlight how many years you've been flying - the number of flight hours you have (don't laugh - 250 seems like a lot to someone with 0), and let them know you are fully qualified to be their instructor. You could also give them references or recommendations from the chief pilot, a DPE, etc. You could also advise them that if they are not comfortable you can refer them to Mr. Blank who is more experienced.
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Sounds like pretty good advice. Thanks. I'll definitely keep all this in mind whenever day one comes.

I do like the Iron Fist and Cold Heart approach as well (I'll look into it). :D
 
According to Mr. Kershner you shall first get your students attention!

Use the "Donkey Rule" for that - follow his example to the letter and enjoy! I flew with a fresh baked low time CFI in FL once and was truly impressed about his calm demeanor and ability to talk himself, myself and the airplane to death. In almost 240 hours dual received I don't think anyone ever topped the fellow. He managed not to shut up for 1.3 hours. Great guy and certainly very natural and straight forward. I learned something.

You DO have something to teach - we all do. Don't feel little, I've taught groundschool to people who could have eaten me alive in terms of experience and somehow I managed to impress some of them with a certain comment, explanation or style of trying to bring the point across.

Be calm, prepare and remember the line in my signature when flying with anybody. You never know when and why someones "idiot light" comes on, so pay attention. I did not have to be a CFI to figure this out.

Non CFI advise - take it for what you'd like to.
Have Fun!
 
Wear a tie....it adds 10% experience points.

I am partially joking, but serious about the tie.

Just don't say "hey, you are my first student I am about solo"
Don't lie but don't offer any extra information.
 
Douglas said:
Wear a tie....it adds 10% experience points.

I am partially joking, but serious about the tie.

Just don't say "hey, you are my first student I am about solo"
Don't lie but don't offer any extra information.
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Wear a circa-1970s wide Barney Miller-style tie!
 
I never lied about my flight experience. I've been flying for two years. Never mind the fact that my first intro was two years ago and that I've only really been flying since last July (Went through ATP) Usually most people stop with the "how long" question. There are a few people that continue on, "how many hours do you have?" Again, I don't lie. But when this question comes up, judging by their reaction I either add the, "though I'm new, that just means I'm up to date with the latest FAA special emphasis areas." clause. But generally, I've yet to find one person that didn't want to fly with me due to my lack of experience. I even signed up an Instrument student. I told him flat out he was my first instrument student and I'd take off 50% of the ground time.
 
IslandFlyer said:
You charged him half price because you were new? Not sure if that is what you are implying.

I don't think I'd be that generous. ;)
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only on ground. not on flight or anything. Since he's taking our ground school course through the school, ground will be limited to just general quizzing here and there. So it won't be too much lost income :)
 
IslandFlyer said:
You charged him half price because you were new? Not sure if that is what you are implying.

I don't think I'd be that generous. ;)
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People love you when you are new.
I think I overquoted my first few deals I made because of some lack of "how this is done" knowledge. After a year of doing it - people would have run out screaming, shooting, or masturbating - but you get "baby credit" for pretty much everything you f&^# up at first (*).

*(Disclaimer: This holds true when following activities not bound to turn you into a smoldering pile of crumpled aluminum & ash only!)

They don't expect you to be perfect - just be yourself and you'll be fine.
You did not become a CFI for constantly crashing and burning to death.

If you hit the right customer you will loose him/her if you cut yourself short - it's part of being professional to stick to your guns.
 
You will learn more in the first three months of instructing than you would think possible. Doing it vs. teaching it is a whole different story.

And you will learn how long you can stay off the controls until the last moment before the plane crashes into the ground and is upside down on the runway. I think I am down to .4 seconds before impact.:D
 
wjmiller3 said:
You will learn more in the first three months of instructing than you would think possible. Doing it vs. teaching it is a whole different story.

And you will learn how long you can stay off the controls until the last moment before the plane crashes into the ground and is upside down on the runway. I think I am down to .4 seconds before impact.:D
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Haha...thanks Jay, for the encouraging words of wisdom!

.4 huh? I may have to try to beat that record like I crushed your written exam score/time. ;) (just pullin your chain man)

Remember...I like Heineken! :D
 
Fake it till ya' make it! Thats what I did, and surprisingly, it worked out. If you have any questions about what is going on, and are timid about starting to instruct, try a 141 school with a clear and concise curriculum.
 
IslandFlyer said:
Haha...thanks Jay, for the encouraging words of wisdom!

.4 huh? I may have to try to beat that record like I crushed your written exam score/time. ;) (just pullin your chain man)

Remember...I like Heineken! :D
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How can I forget?? You keep reminding me!!:) Sometime after this holiday weekend we need to meet up and settle that bet....
 
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