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The Frustrating Process to my Private Pilots License
This is a write-up I wrote after receiving my private pilots license last December (12/12/12!) and while it was six months ago, I recently sent the link to a friend of mine who is struggling with his own flight training. After reading it, he said that he "felt like someone actually understands" his lack of motivation when it comes to being 'stuck'. Just thinking that by sharing this, I might help someone else. (www.joeburlas.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
To anyone considering or working towards their PPL. Regardless of where you get training, Part 141, Part 61 etc., be observant of your instructor. You can always tell the ones who are just logging time trying to get to the airlines. They will not be that interested in actual teaching. A good CFI will not only give you classroom instruction, but will quiz you on what you have been learning. A good CFI will give you an overview of what she/he hopes for you to accomplish with each lesson. If they are on the phone or staring off into space during preflight and NOT asking you questions on why and what you are looking for during that inspection, they probably don't care. During flight maneuvers they should be not only explaining how to do a maneuver but also why the aircraft does what it does. A good CFI will offer constructive criticism and is interested in answering your questions. If you are doubtful of the training you are receiving, ask around and switch schools or instructors. Remember it's your time and money! HAPPY FLYING!
Actually my last instructor, the one that got me my license, was the best that I had and he was actively trying to work His way into the airlines. As long as they take the job seriously there is nothing wrong with somebody wanting to go to the airlines and not be a full time instructor. More or less you want to keep your eye out for good work ethic more than their future plans. Conversely, the worst instructor i ever had, had no aspirations with wanting to go to the airlines, in fact he was happy with his salary job at the school and made up reasons not to fly. Guess he wanted to do the last amount of work but was FAR from ambitious.
I have no problem with his using CFI as a tool to go places in the industry. I plan on doing it to and as long as they're serious about teaching you - more power to them. In fact sometimes it's about who you know in this industry it seems, so perhaps it might even help down the line.
I have no problem with his using CFI as a tool to go places in the industry. I plan on doing it to and as long as they're serious about teaching you - more power to them. In fact sometimes it's about who you know in this industry it seems, so perhaps it might even help down the line.
Sorry Joseph! I didn't mean to imply that all CFI's are looking to go to the airlines. There are good and bad both ways. The first flight instructor I had was fantastic and he ended up with Delta. I had 2 others after I started my instrument training that WERE marking time for that FO position and they were awful. That's why a student really needs to be tuned in to what and how they are being taught.
I completely agree, sir. Just wanted to make sure that you didn't take what I wrote as a CFI rant. I plan on going the CFI path myself to build hours. Since I don't know if I would have got my license without my last instructor you can bet I'm going to try and be the best instructor that I can.
Would you mind venting in a survey about flight training I just made? I can use some of this data to draw conclusions for a proposal I'm doing. I'll post to everyone that responded here and then I'm going to squawk it. Thank you in advance! Survey can be found: http://form.jotform.us/form/31806722149151
Great story. Stick with it. At 24 years old, you have a life of flying ahead of you, even though you probably don't see things quite that way. Don't get down on the length of time it takes. I've wanted to fly since I was 5 years old, and am finally doing it over 40 years later. You have a long flying career ahead of you.
Would you mind venting in a survey about flight training I just made? I can use some of this data to draw conclusions for a proposal I'm doing. I'll post to everyone that responded here and then I'm going to squawk it. Thank you in advance! Survey can be: http://form.jotform.us/form/31806722149151
I started at 24, and now rounding out 28 in July. I appreciate that though, as sometimes I I wish I had done this much earlier in my life. I'm proud of my military service, but sometimes you wonder if pursuing the military route earlier with a pilot's license may have mattered. Your comment means a lot though!