Shoud I trust my Flight Instructor?

mastermags said:
Facebook stalking cracks me up. A fake profile goes a long way!
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Ha, yes, guilty! I feel like I get a pass, though, since we're going really fast 4000 ft. in the air, I like to know who I'm dealing with! And I have no idea what you guys are talking about with the different styles of planes...sounds like I have a lot to learn!

I feel bad now, because I'm getting a few messages that are like, "If you don't like your instructor..." I like him just fine, as someone so graciously pointed out earlier by quoting all my compliments. Isn't it just normal for someone with absolutely no experience in aviation, and a phobia on top of that, to be a little hesitant regardless of who it is? I was just looking for some reassurance that my instructor wasn't brand new at his job and that his education/experience was normal. I've worked at my current job about six months and I am clueless on a lot of things and always have to go ask my boss how to do this or that. You can't really do that when you're flying an airplane. Everything is new to me. When I showed up, I thought I was going to an actual airport, like IAH or something. Uh, no. It's just a barn, a trailer, a field, and a runway. Then my instructor told me the plane was made in 1976 (I think). I understand now that this is probably not out of the ordinary at all, but it was super overwhelming at first, you know? But after reading everyone's comments, I know that unless he does something that seems careless, I shouldn't worry about where he went to school or how old he is, etc.

Anyway, I'm going back at 4:00 on Saturday. If I get a dinner out of it afterward, I'll let y'all know. :)
 
This website is really fun for passing the time at work, by the way. Y'all have a crazy thread going with the guy who got fired from his regional job for missing his flight. Reddit is blocked on my office computer, so I've found a nice replacement!
 
keely said:
Uh, no. It's just a barn, a trailer, a field, and a runway.
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Those are the best airports!


Then my instructor told me the plane was made in 1976 (I think).
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Did most of my time building in a late 60s Cherokee! Before my current job, most of the planes I flew were built in the 60s/70s and 80s. The aviation "boom" occurred in the 60s/70s, which is when the majority of light piston planes were produced, and why many small flight schools don't have planes much newer than the mid 80s.
 
I'm more sketched out by schools that use brand new planes... Means they're gonna charge more. That, and the fact that there are no new 152s, which I think are some of the best trainers out there (that are common).
 
"Everything is new to me.". At least you have something in common, since everything is new to him as well!!!

As long as your CFI, isn't this guy, you should be fine.

th
 
keely said:
When I showed up, I thought I was going to an actual airport, like IAH or something. Uh, no. It's just a barn, a trailer, a field, and a runway.
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This is some of the best kind of flying that there is. You don't need much. A simple aircraft, a grass strip, and good weather. When you can use roads and landmarks as waypoints and be alone in the sky, you don't need anything else. It's pure freedom. And an open cockpit? That's just beyond joy.

At some point look for some fly-ins and flying clubs in your area. You'll get to see a lot of different small aircraft, meet some nice folks, learn a few things and have fun. They will most likely take you up too. Enjoy your adventure. Not enough people get to have one.


 
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Yeh, don't let the resume fool you. I'm sure others on here will have similar stories but the worst instructor that I ever worked with had over 10,000 hours.

He was absolute poison to the aviation community. And most students just don't know any better. They would all fail their checkrides a couple times but he always got rave reviews. I felt bad for his students. I swear the guy was just out joyriding every flight. He finally got fired for busting 91.13.

Either way, there are some darn good instructors out there with under 1,000 hours. Enjoy!
 
stormchaser said:
Actually, I'm edgin' towards May now...



I plead The Fifth. Hey, wait a second. Boyz, she just called me gracious!!! I think she's hittin' on me!!! HOT DANG!
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Let's see, I said my instructor was hot, insulted his education and experience, and I called a hangar a 'barn.' I probably shouldn't have chosen my real name as my user name because if my instructor ever sees this, I am so screwed! In the figurative sense, boys. Pilots are above "That's what she said" jokes, right? Where are all the girls on this forum, anyway?!

In all seriousness, I do appreciate everyone's advice and encouragement. I am going to try to just chill out and enjoy what I am doing, and who knows, maybe I'll end up with a license when it's all said and done!
 
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