7 CRITICAL Traits I Look for (or AVOID) in a Flight Instructor

"How do I find the right flight instructor?" It's a question I get a lot and it's such a good one to ask. Everyone will have their own unique preferences, but after flying with dozens and dozens of CFI's over the years, I wanted to provide my recommendations on what I personally look for in an instructor. I hope it helps you find someone that can become a lifelong aviation mentor for you, and avoid some of the bad experiences we too often hear about when someone has the wrong instructor.
As always, read meaty aviation tips, tricks, and FAQs at airplaneacademy.com
If you want to know more about me (Charlie), here's my bio and aviation bucket list: airplaneacademy.com/charlie-g...

[@AirplaneAcademy]

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[@jamesstory7517]

From a CFI, I really appreciate this video as a reminder of what I can do better. Thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks James!

[@lovetofly32]

I have questions on where to find a good tail wheel instructor in central ks if you can help me! I have my own airplane now but can't find one that's not scared of a maule.

[@gregoryknox4444]

I loved being a CFI. I had my CFII and in 18 months I gave 1600 hrs dual, mostly Instrument and commercial students. I came back to instructing during furloughs and I think i gave everyone their money's worth. I'm retired Captain now (American/USAir) 1988-2018 and my thoughts are still with general aviation, the real flying.

[@stevenwomack9574]

As for CFIs that pull surprises, I had one of those as well. It was in the 80s and I'd bought a 1/3 share of a Cherokee 180. My partners had a CFI who could check me out in it. In one of our flights, we were practicing slow flight and approach to landing stalls. While practically laying on my back, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him reach down between the seats. A couple seconds later, the engine QUIT. Not went to idle, not simulated an engine out, it freaking QUIT. Propeller windmilling, I lowered the nose, started the engine out procedures, then remembered what I'd seen. I looked down and the fuel petcock was in the Closed position. I turned to him, called him something I don't want to type right now, and turned the fuel back on. The engine immediately caught and we flew on. A couple months later, he was the lead item on the Six O'Clock local TV news. The FAA had busted him for falsifying his logbooks, padding his hours. His ticket was yanked and he's never been heard from again...

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Wow. Yeah, this is the stuff I'm talking about.... Sorry to hear about this.

[@AvgDude]

Wow, what a total dick move on the CFI's part. That is outrageous, especially with YOUR plane!

[@EthanDurant]

Thats crazy bro glad hes no longer in the sky

[@zealousideal]

Wow what a douche. Glad he’s no longer a pilot.

[@SquawkCode]

My CFI in the 80s killed the fuel too. Nobody else has ever done that.

[@gainestruk1]

I remember my 1st CFI had us going to a different airport for my first time, I went downwind then turned base then final the whole time never said a word, we obviously weren't going to make runway and i had frozen watching it happen, she nudged my right shoulder and said sooo which tree are you planning to land on, that snapped me back into reality and i added power and made normal landing. she had me taxi to ramp and shut down, she looked at me and said you fly the airplane never let airplane fly you, I will never forget that statement. she was a wonderful instructor, she would let me get just far enough in trouble but without being unsafe. I'll date myself, it was in a Cessna 150 the rate with instructor was $35 an hour wet.

[@hendersona49]

Thats how my CFI is... He'll let me go...and see if I correct it, if I don't then He'll say something..as I got better he waited longer and then jumped on the controls when needed.

[@747-pilot]

ooooh! $35/hr wet. A time when the common man could indulge themselves, in the joy of learning how to fly! Truly sad what has happened to the affordability of learing how to fly! ☹️. I'm assuming this was sometime in the early to mid 80s. Even with inflation and all, the cost of flight training has close to doubled now!

[@gainestruk1]

@@747-pilot I agree totally, I don't see how anyone could afford the cost now, I was able to have a new pickup and get my Certificate making $10,000 a year as a welder.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing, Michael! I love CFIs like this that will let a "problem" develop a little further for a teaching moment (provided that it's safe), and not just immediately jump in and telling you you're doing it wrong. I think that's a lot more "real world" because we don't always recognize mistakes immediately as they happen.

[@kirklandelectricicnc]

In 1984 I was paying around $40 an hour wet. I would say it was around 1982 the cost was $35 an hour wet. But it really depended where you were flying out of...Rural airports were a lot cheaper than City municipal AP's.

[@Chrisovideos]

I got lucky and had this young kid (I was 48 and he was 21) for an instructor who was such a fantastic pilot and such a stickler at being precise that it burned into my brain. If we were, for example, supposed to be at 3000' and I was at 3100' he would say, "if you can fly at 3100' you can fly at 3000'. If we landed off the center line he would say, "if we can land here, why can't we land over there" pointing to the center. I aced my check ride and owe much of that to my desire to try to be as precise as he was. I fly my crosswind finals crabbed until the flare because of him. At the end of the day I think some CFI's are just mediocre pilots, and some are fantastic pilots. Some are mediocre teachers, some are fantastic teachers. If you get one that is fantastic at both, then you scored.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing, Christopher. I like that saying of "if you can do ___, then you can do ___." Good reminder and good challenge. Well said about finding one that is excellent at both flying AND teaching!

[@Fiftytwouts]

Hearing there are others that choose to start something like this at 48 years old is encouraging.

[@robinmyman]

@@Fiftytwouts I’m 70 and just starting! 😂

[@johniceland5027]

This is the kind of instructor I hope to fly with. Quick to suggest a correction, but politely with clear expectations.

[@josephb2280]

I’ve only had one instructor at a time. My first flight instructor never said “good job” or anything he would only point out when I did something wrong. I almost quit flying because every lesson felt like a chore and I stopped having fun After I switched, I stayed with my current instructor and got my PPL! He is practically every good trait you described! He got me back to having fun with flying and is the reason I was able to finish my license instead of quitting! Now I’m considering getting my instrument rating and commercial with him!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hi Joseph - thanks for the comment. Your experience is exactly what I was talking about and why I wanted to make this video. Having the "right" CFI can really make or break your flying experience. Glad you found one you love!

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

I Must of had the same CFI. It was toxic in the cockpit. I felt so scared to make a mistake. He would take the controls for every little mistake, like forgetting carb heat, or tuning in the wrong frequency at first. Come to find out, other students had the the same complaints. I was way to tolerant and thought this was normal. I wasted several house with this guy. I have junk hours logged as I did not learn much from this terrible CFI. I he got so back, after we landed and secured the aircraft, I told him this is not working out. He stated yelling at me along with some 4 letter words. I ran out of the office and reported it to the manager. The manager fired him week later.

[@gordonfeliciano4315]

A flight instructor has to play multiple roles. They must be an educator, a role model, and have an open personality. A good flight instructor will have fined tuned each of these roles in order to be successful in their trade and effective to their students. In the Navy, I had military instructors who had many hours of experience, both in and out of combat. My favorite instructor was also my mentor. He was a jet jock turned primary flight instructor and he loved his work. He also made me feel comfortable when I flew and when I screwed up, he disciplined me in such a way that I did not feel threatened, but felt an obligation to him to improve my skills. Every brief and debrief was thorough and educational. He took the time to explain things to me so that I could take what I've learned and improve my flying. And, during off hours, we'd fly together often, renting aircraft from our Navy Flying Club. On the same token, I had a bad experience with another jet jocky turned instructor who was my check airman. This guy thought he was God's gift to Naval Aviation and the Marine Corp and would do things during our check flights that I was not expecting, nor was it part of the flight syllabus. There were times where I nearly puked after a flight with this man. He also didn't take the time to teach. The debriefings were brief and he offered no words of encouragement. I learned nothing from him except how to be a class one a-hole in the cockpit. Luckily, he transferred out early in my training. Today, I look for an instructor that has the same qualities as my Navy mentor. I don't focus on age as much as I do as teaching ability. Before I fly with a new instructor, I will ask for an initial briefing. I use it mainly to get to know that person, their experience, their goals and their qualifications. That one meeting provides me with a good idea as to what kind of instructor I'm going to be dealing with. Are they an effective communicator... do they know their stuff... are they patient... are they passionate about what they do or are they just doing the job to build hours. Are they friendly. My current instructor is a former Navy F-4 pilot and a Vietnam era veteran. He's the chief pilot of a local flying school here in Colorado. Being former Navy, we hit if off pretty well. He also happens to be the man I bought my Tiger from. He just flew with me to do my bi-annual check flight in November. He was very thorough and put me through the ringer. But, he was also very fair and provided me with excellent training and feedback after all was said and done. The flight was over two days long. I wanted it that way, because I wanted the best training experience possible, not just go through the motions. One more tidbit... my son just passed his CFI check ride in November. He's been flying with me since he was about 6 months old, but he didn't show an interest to become a pilot until his senior year of high school. In 2016, after we purchased the Tiger, he began his training to get his PPC, instrument, commercial and now his CFI. He's now 23 years old, college graduate with a degree in aviation technology. He used me as his "student" to hone his teaching skills during his CFI training. I am proud to say that he has turned out to be a fine instructor. His greatest asset is his ability to teach and pass on his knowledge, as well as his patience. I'm looking forward to watching him advance in his aviation career. Fly safe and fly often.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing, Gordon. Really appreciate your comment that was full of practical suggestions and good experience! Enjoyed reading it.

[@KevinMurano]

Thank you, from someone interested in flying reading horror stories of sub 300 hour flight instructors in ct. hopefully when I decide to take my discovery flight I find someone with hours, knowledge, patience, communication and a personality. I love the thought of flying and loved air shows when I was growing up when I took my first commercial flight from Mass to Puerto Rico I loved every minute been on several flights since really just want to be safe though as a father of four!

[@77thTrombone]

Congrats, proud papa! As you're ex-Navy, I'll say that your 1st paragraph was immediately reminiscent of JPJ's description of the characteristics of an effective naval officer.

[@philconey11]

I'm on a binge watching these videos because I have my CFI check-ride coming up soon. Honestly, I just want to be a good instructor so I'm trying to adopt as many positive traits as I can.

[@CorPro]

Great tips. I especially detest control grabby instructors and will dump them ASAP. Any instructor who is so nervous that he/she can’t keeps their paws off the controls, is too much of a worry wart to be doing flight training. My latest instructor is awesome. He learned from a seasoned flight instructor who taught jungle pilots. And his modus operandi was this: don’t touch the controls unless the student is going to bend the airplane. The pilot will never gain confidence nor learn how to correct mistakes with a nervous Nelly of a teacher.

[@doerrmedia01]

Excellent video! I would also have to say that CFI’s that rush are also a big red flag. No matter what the topic is or how much the student already knows about it, it’s important for the instructor to go slow and make sure that the student not only understands the material but can apply it in a real situation. From my experience so far, that’s one of the qualities that has really distinguished between good and great flight instructors (as well as all your ideas).

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Great point, thank you for sharing! I completely agree... feeling rushed is a very bad thing, especially when you are being TRAINED to rush things. No bueno.

[@Paul-dv4dr]

Hi - your point about the instructor being a good listener is (imo) absolutely crucial. I train in other sectors and never want to be the type who hears a few words and thinks it's just another of the FAQs. A student's question reveals an awful lot about where they are in their understanding and knowledge of the topic and should be closely attended to.

[@HoltAircraft]

I did my PPL after moving to France, I had 2 instructors, 1 is an airline pilot and he speaks to me in English, great instructor explains things, does exercices with you and no matter what your intention treats you like you're an airline pilot... the other I couldn't really understand but he spoke to me in French no matter what and thats how I learnt aviation French and what as a glider pilot I liked the way he would explain something but unless you were doing something wrong he would sit quitely and let you figure things out for yourself. I only found out he speaks perfect English after I finished my 45 hours haha

[@alansimpson596]

After your last upload I left a comment about how my CFI unexpectedly told to climb to 5,000 ft and then put me into a spin. We did four more and when we had landed I asked why he hadn't given me prior notice of the lesson. He explained that in times past he had told students that their next lesson would be spins and stalls and as a result some of them didn't turn up. Also, he added that having accomplished circuits, he needed to find out if could cope with spins and stalls otherwise I would be wasting my money. About a month later my CFI moved on and we got a new one. He was a deeply unpleasant man and on my first lesson with him he'd obviously become impatient with my boring flying and took over. He did a serious of aerobatics to embarrass me. Most of it was observed from club members on the ground and they asked me what the hell I had been up to. I turned the tables on the CFI by telling them that I found the CFI to be boring and had decided to show him some real flying. I never took another lesson with that CFI and went on to getting my PPL.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing your story, Alan. I remember your comment and that's part of what made me want to produce this video. It's unfortunate that some folks end up with CFIs that ruin their flying experience, and I don't think it has to be this way!

[@HoosierPilot]

In the words of my idol Ricky Bobby, “If you ain’t first you’re last!” This is also great information. I used 2 primary instructors for my ppl. They were both great, but 2 different personalities. The CFI in my Archer check out video is one of my favorite people. He’s very relaxed, which make me relax.

[@6yjjk]

A few flights into my training, my assigned instructor wasn't available and I got given the boss's son. Negative reinforcement and immediate intervention were definitely his style. Something about the way I was doing stalls really pissed him off, but I never did find out what. Instead, the session descended into a shouting match. In the end it was me who realised that neither of us was looking outside and neither of us was actually flying the aircraft. I demanded that he take me back. I think it earned me some respect, he was a much nicer human being after that, but we both knew that we weren't a good match in the cockpit.

[@tomedgar4375]

Another great video. Absolutely agree that a couple of CFIs will give different perspectives and a better prepare the student for being PIC. I started off with a young CFI who was very detailed oriented but didn’t push me in the cockpit. At 16 hours, he got a job at the regionals and I transitioned to an old bush pilot. He pushed me in the cockpit and made me a better pilot. I am very thankful for both of them. Every student learning process is different and has their own thresholds. A good instructor adapts to the student’s learning style and finds the balance of providing high challenge with low threat. It is a very fine line to walk.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for the insightful comment, Tom. I like what you said about providing high challenge with low threat. Will need to remember that one!

[@ganthrithor]

Airline job at 16 hours huh? Must have been really talented :P

[@tomedgar4375]

@@ganthrithor The CFI, Not me

[@peterwgarnold]

My dad is a cfi and he is teaching me to fly it’s kind of a weird dynamic because he holds me to much higher standards than required for a private i also take my check ride in a couple weeks which is exciting.

[@VictoryAviation]

Good luck man. I was supposed to take mine yesterday. Mother Nature didn’t agree. Now it’s rescheduled for next week.

[@peterwgarnold]

@@VictoryAviation Good luck to you too man, hope it goes well.

[@tomstripling1716]

I too was taught by my father. And it was somewhat weird because of the higher standards. But it also brought us closer together.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

That's awesome, Peter. Keep us posted!!

[@HoltAircraft]

i wish my family flew, damm that would have saved me some money

[@scottfranco1962]

My classic "I hate being a CFI", was a CFI that was an ATP, and gaining a higher pay rate than most. I figured I could learn a lot from him. Turned out he was an ex-corporate pilot who had lost his commercial rating for safety violations. He was extremely angry about his "unfair treatment", and just wanted his former job back (and was slumming it). We parted company shortly.

[@mmouseav8r402]

I’m a pilot for a cargo airline, I can’t recall one of us that wouldn’t want to go back to being a CFI. If I was like your ex-corporate CFI, I’d just quit flying, so I understand his attitude.

[@thatairplaneguy]

I was run off from finishing my PPL the first time I tried from a terrible instructor. He had no personality, couldn’t explain things well, never let me make my own mistakes and learn to correct them. He was very short with me if I didn’t get something the first time. What made me quit (only to come back later and finish my ppl) was one breezy day he didn’t even want to go up but I had scheduled, paid and fueled the plane, it was a beautiful day but a 10-15mph quartering crosswind. I needed to learn to work a crosswind but he just didn’t feel like teaching me that day. He had just gotten back from a long cross country but he refused to let me so with someone else. So we went up and he showed me how to land with a crosswind before letting me try. On my first try I wasn’t using enough rudder and drifted off centerline before flair. The runway was wide and I was in control, just not on centerline anymore. Without vocalizing for me to correct it or saying the normal “my controls” he simply took his yoke and started handling the airplane. I was focused on what I was doing and didn’t notice he had grabbed the yoke so when I felt me reacting to his inputs he slammed the throttle forward and pushed my hand off MY yoke! He took us around and landed, taxied to the ramp without a word then after shut down got out and literally yelled at me for trying to correct his inputs. In front of several people on the ramp he yelled “don’t you EVER do that again!” I was young. 18. I was too inexperienced in life and such situations to know I wasn’t in the wrong so I didn’t defend myself. I was pulled aside by another instructor and he asked if I was ok and that Sid (my CFI’s name) was out of line and he’d be glad to take me up. I left and didn’t go back for a year. I was too afraid and embarrassed. Until then I was at the airport every day. I knew everyone and everyone knew me and I was usually praised for how quickly I was progressing but that flight ruined it all for me for months. I’m glad I got over the shame I felt that day and came back, got a good instructor and finished.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much for sharing. I'm really sorry you had this experience, and this is the exact stuff I was trying to highlight in the video. I hate hearing that people can have such bad experiences with a CFI that it causes them to stop pursuing aviation either temporarily or indefinitely. I'm really glad to hear that you did get back to pursuing it and were able to finish. Way to go!

[@rodneyr.1618]

Great vid !!! all important steps to remember when choosing a CFI, at the end of the day bad training will get you killed ! PIC as a student is vital to understand in making the best decisions, trust your instincts, if it feels wrong, it is !

[@PedroLarock]

As someone whos currently undergoing CFI training for hour building, I appreciate this a lot, it gives me drive and objectives to strive for when I have students :) Thanks!!

[@stevenwomack9574]

Charlie, I really appreciated this video as I'm struggling with a CFI right now. I didn't fly for almost 20 years--a classic Rusty Pilot. I decided to get current and start flying again. I found a wonderful CFI--my first woman instructor. She'd flown for the airlines and was now teaching so she'd have more time for her family. She was patient and nurturing and supportive and it was a great experience. After passing my Flight Review, I decided to get a tailwheel endorsement. I found an instructor who advertised that most of his students averaged four hours to transition to taildragger, so I thought that was manageable. I've since discovered that most other tailwheel CFIs average much longer than that (4 hours seemed pretty quick to me). So I started the process and it quickly became apparent that taking a rusty pilot from a 172 to an aerobatic 150hp Citabria was a HUGE jump. I'm really struggling with the CFI in the backseat yelling at me over the headphones while I'm bouncing down the runway and trying to keep it straight. It's nerve-shattering. In post-flight briefing, he just shakes his head and says he doesn't know what to tell me, that I'm just "not getting it." I'm up to six hours now and I think I need to try someone else. After our last flight, I actually said to him "I know I'm a low-time private pilot and a rusty pilot, but this is the first time I've ever felt like a bad pilot..." He just shook his head and didn't say anything. You're doing great work, man! Thanks so much!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so sorry to hear this. That CFI is doing a massive disservice to this great hobby of ours. I agree with you, 4 hours feels quick for tailwheel. It took me way more than that to get comfortable. The good news is eventually it will "click" for you and your body will be able to keep it coordinated on the runway without having to think too much about it. It can still be a handful, but it gets easier. Be encouraged, you aren't alone. And I agree, a new instructor is probably in order.

[@_planejoe_]

This is super helpful as I'm looking for the right CFI for me at my flight school. Now I have more ideas of what to look out for. Thanks for the video!

[@TimAyro]

As a new CFI I appreciate this video and agree with all your points. Well thought out video!

[@LuoJun2]

I’ve had 2 “primary” CFI’s and spent time with about four others. My primary is a mortgage broker who loves to fly and loves to teach. My other primary is trying to build time, but she’s a passionate aviator and take-no-BS instructor. I’m a retired vet, so I’m used to the ass-chewings and survived two wars. I can take harsh criticism, as long as it’s constructive. I expect it. I’ve flown with some other, younger CFI’s, and I find that I might be intimidating to them somehow; be it my age, my combat experience, whatever. They didn’t offer too many suggestions or corrections. Those experiences were not as useful. When I fly with a CFI, I am looking for instruction and criticism. I want to improve, and you are there to advise me. Disregard the fact I’m old enough to be your father. You have more ratings than I do. I am here to learn, I’m paying you to teach. Regardless of your style, and the way your student prefers to learn, remember that.

[@davidkcampbell707]

Questions that are discerning tools are best utilized in many cases. Questions that lead someone how to find answers are very helpful!

[@SteelDogFab]

First off, love your channel. I do have to put in my 2 cents on this. I have one primary instructor, we get along awesome. Honestly I have probably 26 landing and takeoffs now (with no CFI input) in under 12hrs(short field, grass runway, towered ect). He told me he’s confident enough in me that he would of signed me off for solo at 7hrs, but due to weather and also just getting some good cross country out of the way and what not while we had mild VFR weather. It’s been an awesome experience and I’m not worried about soloing at all tomorrow. Now, with that being said, hour 3 I went with a different instructor, who’s a bush pilot. He scared the crap out of me. But, I learned so much during that lesson even though he instructed more like a military drill instructor, high stress, advanced maneuvers, no give. That flight, really taught me a lot about the airplane itself, it’s limits, and really gave me the confidence to move forward. Like he said “you will never know what you can do unless you know the limits of your aircraft, you don’t get that by flying gentle and being nice” I’m lucky my main CFI get along great, we trust each other, and I like his teaching style. Plus, he’s great at working out schedule, and, on top of that, I’m number one on his cancellation list. Thank you for your videos. Also just to add, my instructor had me mountain flying in the first hour. 😅

[@fobypawz418]

I think these are great pointers for any teacher or instructor in any field!

[@Aerospace_Education]

Awesome video Charlie. CFI's are such an important piece to get the future pilots off to the right start. Their impact can be felt over a lifetime. Thanks for the content.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! :)

[@rileymcentire2926]

Really great video for someone looking to start their adventure.

[@brodyedwards3425]

I just discovered this channel and I'm really loving your videos, they have so much good information in them. I'm currently doing my commercial and I'm considering moving to a different flight training provider and after watching this it has definitely made that discussion a lot easier to make. The thing that makes it hard for me and the reason I have been thinking about it for the last few months is that I like my instructor but his style of teaching isn't really the best for me.

[@aerobatic500]

So glad to see this video and realizing my instructor has all of the good traits you are mentioning.

[@autorepairexpert]

Great tips, I wish I had watched this before I got my first CFI. This video could put him out of business. I'm blessed to have found a great CFI now. Every potential student should watch this video.

[@Jessie-nn1zy]

you really pointed out something very helpful and reassured my judgements on my CFI choices.

[@tacobagcharlie9298]

No experience in aviation but when i first got my cdl the guy my company put me with to get the feel of the truck was super picky about lane placement and gear shifting/selection. I would grind every gear and it was always a challenge to get the truck to do what i wanted it to do with him breathing down my neck. Once i went out on my own all those problems went away and my lane placement got way better and i almost never missed a gear and could put my rpms exactly where i wanted them lol sometimes when your struggling with simple tasks its the person trying to teach

[@macrbeck2078]

Thank you for posting this. I’m a student pilot right now, but I want to give my best to my future students when I’m a CFI. I’ll keep this video in mind as I see my instructors throughout my licenses. Yet another great video, thank you.

[@johniceland5027]

How is it going so far?

[@hinglemcgringleberry]

Im just getting into flight school and this was the best channel to stumble onto!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much for saying so! I'm glad the channel is helpful.

[@markfbutler4025]

Great video on instructors. I got my CFI when I was very young about 19/20 enjoyed instructing then went to the airlines USAIR / American 1978 - 2018 now I am back to instructing and enjoy every minute doing it. I am making little airline pilots !

[@davidkcampbell707]

Asking questions is the best way for an instructor to learn what a particular student needs from instruction.

[@bbqworld2103]

Great info, thanks!

[@BrianRhodes9763]

Great Video Charlie, very informative. Thank You.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much, Brian! Glad it was helpful.

[@Biscuit3364]

Thanks for validating my philosophy of not surprising my students. I never saw value in what I call “stupid surprises”. That being said briefing and training for emergencies is a different story as you mentioned. My goal as a CFI was to be able to confidently step out of the plane some day soon and let them be PIC.

[@LaHayeSaint]

Charlie, your video is relevant to anyone in the teaching business, not just High School teachers, or aviators.

[@joshjanes5641]

Great video.. especially the part about being on edge.. my first instructor was a horrible fit for me. He did a great job instructing the information, but during the flights would be rigid and his hands were always a 1/4 inch from the controls. It made me on edge to the point that my pattern work and maneuvers were not progressing and I didn’t even want to go to the airport.. luckily he got his hours and went somewhere and my next instructor was a perfect fit for me..

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hi Josh - thanks for the comment and sharing your perspective. I know that feeling when you feel like the CFI is on edge and waiting to take over. I'm glad you've ended up with someone you really like!

[@BrettMcNary]

i feel the same way about my CFI

[@peterseverin2379]

Wonderful, sound advice. Brilliant points. Good of you to share this information.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you found it so helpful!

[@rinzler9775]

This is actually a good video for CFI's as to what they could do better.

[@danielrhodes4844]

Thank you so much for your videos. I'm starting training in a few months and your content has been invaluable.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

That's awesome!! I'm glad it's been helpful.

[@Shaneepe1]

great tips Charlie! thank you!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@flightlevel2403]

Excellent recommendations. I agree with them in my own experience.

[@moistnugget3717]

A big thing for me is when instructors are noticeably afraid of the student flying. It teaches fear in an environment where there is already enough stress to go around. Too often CFI’s will take the airplane away from a new student if they aren’t flying a perfect approach and those students develop a fear of landing. What then happens is they “flare” too much and balloon up way too high off the runway, lose energy, panic, and without anyone to help them would stall to the ground. It really grinds my gears when I inherit students that have this fear instilled into them. I know it isn’t their fault though.

[@BrettMcNary]

well said. Fear instilled=shit cfi's

[@jasonhingley1540]

One of my instructors was like this when I was training for my PPL. She seemed kind of a nervous flier and actually grabbed the yoke while we were doing touch and goes on approach. There was a bit of a crosswind and I think I was slightly high, but was still close to the glideslope and not in a dangerous position or anything. The worst part is she didn't verbalize her intentions by saying "I have control", but just grabbed the yoke as I was 500 ft agl. Fortunately there were a couple other really good instructors at the flight school that I had been flying with, so I stuck with them and never flew with her again.

[@alanaspurling6469]

My current CFI has promised to help me get through my check ride, which I really like. I have been through so many different instructors in my so far 100+ hours of pre-solo.

[@jgnderitu]

I am an aspiring CFI. This is very helpful

[@bryan.meijer]

Great advice Charlie, love the video 👌

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Spray-N-Pray]

This goes to the Time Builder scenario, but I think you want to see enthusiasm and passion for aviation from your CFI. If sitting next to you teaching you how to fly is sucking the life out of that person, it's going to suck the life out of your training as well.

[@davidkcampbell707]

I was also a turboprop Flight Engineer, second generation on the L-188 (Lockheed Electra four-engine turboprop) Dad became an aviation maintenance technician and an FAA Aircraft Mechanic with Airframe and Powerplant ratings in the USAF. Dad was an aircraft mechanic, a crew chief on a USAF Beechcraft C-45 and a USAF Douglas C-47

[@kraljpetar4677]

Good clarification.

[@simcptmike]

I fired one CFI because she repeatedly would tell me I'm under speed when i was bang on. She couldn't figure out that from where she was sitting the gauge would look like it was reading low. NEXT! LOL

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Very good show!shoe! We share a lot of views. Where quality of instructor, compatibility matters a lot.

[@epicredhead13]

Good video - I wanted to see what you thought and I learned that the CFI I trained for my Private certificate with has all those attributes. Also I was watching the video in double speed and couldn't figure out why all the approaches were so fast - then I realized.

[@GeneralChangOfDanang]

I had two lessons with a CFI that was only hour building for the airlines. He would constantly take the controls without asking. He would take the plane to go look at something he wanted to see on the ground and just take up my (expensive) flight time in general. Glad I found someone else shortly after.

[@pettsnjam]

When I was looking for a CFI demonstrate what I think he called a tail whip but he said he wasn't sure how to do it but tried banking and whipping the plane around while pushing and pulling power not getting the effect he was looking for. Being my second flight ever I never flew with him again. Found a great instructor and got my PP. Flying is amazing.

[@depressedcowboy3528]

Definitely agree I like a CFI that waits for me to make a few mistakes (this is how my CFI was) they didn't just say something as soon as I made an error, they gave me a chance to find it myself. idk how I feel on the CFI saying something like "good job" mine almost never did. All I knew is if he was quiet I was doing something right, kept me thinking and checking to make sure everything was correct. On a side note to that when he did say good job, I knew it meant something. My CFI went over everything, but he kept me on edge. I felt it was good, because it forced me to learn precision air work. That type of CFI is definitely not right for everyone, but I thought it was a good fit for me. I've been with CFIs that always tell me good job and I can't tell if they really mean it or not. A trait that I feel is important: Don't choose a CFI who is like "we will just talk about everything in the plane". Pick one that will sit down on the ground, talk to you before and after the flight (at least after the flight). This way they go over things to improve on and you get ground training/study with them.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing! Everyone is a bit different, and so what resonates with me might not be the same for you. As you mentioned, the important thing is finding a CFI that has a style you like. Also, fantastic point about briefing on the ground!

[@rapinncapin123]

Really good video

[@LandNfan]

Your mention of surprises brought back a memory. Following the second T/O of me second lesson, my CFI Stuck the hood on my head, fully expecting me to “lose it” in a few seconds. He was astonished that I finished my climb out, leveling off right on the target altitude as I rolled out of my turn within a few degrees of the requested heading. I didn’t tell him until the lesson was over about how much reading I had been doing, including 3 or 4 times through Frank Kingston Smith’s “I’d Rather Be Flying.” It took a while to convince him that while I understood and trusted the instruments, I wasn’t foolish enough to wander into IFR conditions without the proper training and ratings.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing, Norman! Sounds like you nailed it. I don't really like unwarranted surprises from CFIs that aren't constructive, but sounds like you handled it really well.

[@davidjfoster2133]

Another great video, thanks.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@danieltudi592]

Thank you for this video! ; I had felt like maybe I was just being too critical of each instructor but I really did see most all of these traits in the five instructors I have flown with, , I am still looking though...

[@jbryant520]

Great points.

[@aquaticllamas28]

I just became a CFI, and I am because I am trying to get to the airlines. But like you said, I do want to be the best CFI I can be. This definitely helps with trying to become the CFI I want to try to be.

[@MosesIsrael-mn9cj]

Close to getting my cpl ....this is gold . I’m going to use this to see how I can instruct too

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Great! Glad you found it useful.

[@michaelquillen2679]

My CFI for my PPL was a crusty old crab. I think a great many students probably left him over the years as he did come across as mean. He was a Vietnam-era, Navy, A-6 Intruder pilot back in the day. He never raised his voice but always had a "growl" to his voice. He was very thorough and never threw any surprises at me. One big thing was that I never sensed that he was uncomfortable with me making mistakes (or my poor skills, early on) and I learned from those mistakes. He was very patient with me. I always felt safe with him (most important to me) and learned how to be a good, safe pilot.

[@edcoronado]

I’m currently in the process of finding a CFI so I’m happy I found this

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome, glad to hear and best of luck in your search!

[@farmgene]

Great video! My instructor was Charlie Hammonds. Great guy!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

thank you! At least based on his name he sounds like a great guy :)

[@mikemayfield487]

Well said bud!

[@theaeronaut-channel]

Great Video! Honestly the CFI is expression of how the school is. After having had freelancers of any kind (dentists, lawyers, etc.) I required the school to give me only CFIs who had been trained and worked as professionals. A few weeks ago I was speaking to a few military pilots (one is the former solo of Frecce Tricolori) and I realised the huge gap between the average PPL training and theirs. Going back I would probably look for retired Airforce pilot.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing your perspective. I haven't flown with ex-military myself, but my dad flew with a Cirrus instructor who was former Top Gun instructor and had an incredible experience with him.

[@syracuseaviation4252]

My CFI is very strict. He's a good guy, but I get nervous that when I screw up he's going to flip. In the end, I learn better because I know what not to do when he yells at me. But it's hard to focus and handle the situation confidently when I'm in the air getting reprimanded heavily with some cuss words.

[@mileshighclub5993]

great information. I would add that a first lesson with a CFI is also a job interview. Then an honest debrief from the CFI and an honest review of the CFI's performance. What you liked what you didn't like. I have flown with CFIs that I would use again. Also flown with CFIs that were responsive to my concerns and we ended up making a great team. I do believe that you and your CFI are a team with a common goal. Whenever it feels like you're not working together either a conversation or a new CFI is in order. As you say you are the customer. The CFI is providing a service. Are you getting your monies worth.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Well said and I completely agree! Appreciate you sharing your perspective and advice.

[@user-kz9ww8wq6o]

As a long term CFI, I agree with most of your video. The one exception would be if I understood correctly, you liked using 1-3 instructors and would recommend that? If you’re talking about during the same time, same rating, that is NOT a good idea. Yes, you will learn different things from each instructor, but will waste some time and money in the long run. Unless you’re not happy and feel you’re not getting what you’re paying for, why? And for the CFI’s here. It’s also our responsibility to know when the student may not be a good fit with us as an instructor. I’ve had several through the years that I have handed off to another instructor, not because they were a bad student, but because I felt they would do better with a particular CFI. Don’t let your ego get in the way of a student’s learning. I also make it known that they will never hurt my feelings if they choose to switch instructors

[@seanbrenton55]

Yes, finding a good match is important, and it takes a community of aviators. I have had students that I could never send out alone, yet went on with other instructors to achieve first solo. I have also recieved secondhand students from other frustrated instructors, and made good progress, some even finishing a licence.

[@jchowelljr]

Loved the video. I'm a rusty pilot (haven't flown in 12 years) that is scheduled to go for a flight review in two days. I know its going to be a multi-day process but I also know that the wrong CFI could create more problems that I will have to deal with. So .... hoping for the best. I did learn in a rural Texas area. There was one CFI at the local airport and I was fortunate that we had a good relationship and even though he was young (we were the same age) and he was just building time (he left for a corporate job before I got my certificate) he was a great teacher in the cockpit. The verbal "book" stuff not so much. So I felt I was a safe pilot having flown with him but I was also ignorant of how the "system" worked. But that isn't all bad because now I will have GPS and ADS-B to learn about and I can dump all the data I still have stored about the wandering ADF. 8-) Thanks again for your videos!!

[@enclave6285]

I’m a rusty pilot by 5 years and just got back into flying this week. Best decision ever! Good lick and have fun.

[@youngbloodalan]

I love my instructor. He's an airline pilot as his regular job and just really enjoys teaching. He makes sure I understand things. He gets very stern and fills up my headset with "DON't YOU UNDERSTAND? ...." or "Why are you doing that?". Clearly because I didn't understand it then he will calmly explains it. I know it next time. I appreciate his excitability. It brings home the seriousness of what we are doing. Flying is serious business.

[@millenaire92]

Got my PPL with a nice guy time-building, but he simply couldn't teach. It just wasn't in him and I basically taught myself everything. I should have spoken up early in the process and switched instructors. Fast forward to IR. I actually shopped around to several schools this time. One part 61 shop I requested to speak with an instructor and one or two recent former instrument students about the school. They said we're busy and if you want to schedule an instructor for a lesson you can do that. Well then, guess I'll be scheduling elsewhere! Have an awesome young guy now I love to fly with. He's time-building very quickly, but really gets the CFII life and always shows up 100% for me and can teach well. Finding the right instructor is partly luck, but don't stop until you've found one you mesh with!

[@sksmrita]

Excellent tips in choosing a cfi- when I started a few months ago at my flight school I wanted to try out a few instructors before I settled on one- my gut instincts about the first one who was just doing time waiting for a commercial pilot job was spot on - he was a young dude who had no aptitude to teach . I was m glad I dumped him- the 2nd one was also a young dude waiting for a pilot job - a shade better than first one , but not into teaching- my current one likes to teach and wants to stay a cfi - but he is green though. My progress check was done by a senior guy who was super- he taught me more in 2 hrs than all these young idiots -experience and love for teaching shows Good video, great tips

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for sharing, and glad you found it helpful!

[@CCitis]

It's really tough. When I went through my license, I had good and bad instructors. On my first flights, I found out later that we busted airspace... twice. I had no idea. Not good. Then I had instructors who clearly wanted to do long flights, night flights etc to get their experience up. Not cool either. It is really tough to find a good instructor.

[@JoshuaAnderson91]

I might save this to have a future CFI watch before we get started haha

[@Fiftytwouts]

That’s what I was just thinking. I hope to find to find a good cfi that will be patient with this old dog trying to learn new tricks.

[@nploates]

I agree with all your points. However, instructing is a two way process. I believe it is really important that you let the instructor know what you are thinking. That way they are less likely to barge in and take control just at the moment that you were going to correct a problem. E.g. You are on base aiming for 75 and your speed drops below 70. If you are saying “looking for 75, too slow, nose down”, the instructor will probably give you a few more seconds to sort the problem out before they say anything or take control, and they will know that, because you noticed the problem, you are a “thinking pilot”. Chemistry is also important. One instructor I had was great fun on the ground and a really kind and helpful chap, but in the air he turned me into jelly (jello in American)!

[@pettsnjam]

So agree; as a student you need to verbalize what your thinking. Makes it way easier for the instructor. Also Recording your flights is a huge help.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Great input, thanks for sharing! Good practical example and I agree with you.

[@jeffmarrero2510]

I said No! I back taxied to the beginning and good thing. It took a longer takeoff roll because of the density altitude.

[@shawnedwards5369]

So, speaking of surprises... The CFI who did the pre-check ride flight tests was known for pulling out the throttle and making you go through simulated engine-out scenarios. All well and good, right? He had _another_ trick for pilots who he trusted... "Okay, can you identify that highway over there?" "Sure, that's..." ... He turned the engine off. Completely. We're gliding. This was in a 152II Aerobat with plenty of altitude and a crap-ton of nice landing areas including a truck-driving school on a decommissioned airport. Going through simulated engine failure procedures is one thing, but actually having no sound in the cockpit and not having that throttle in the back of your mind as a "just in case" solidifies the whole thing. Having the engine go out while I was in the cockpit of a very safe aircraft, next to a very capable pilot, in a place where it was under ideal circumstances was an amazing shift in perspective for me as a pilot. All of the nagging fear of that happening during a flight (and especially not knowing _for real_ how I would handle it) just evaporated. Not saying I don't care if my engine goes out, just that having it happen under perfect training conditions was a very good thing for my experience. All that to say a 152II Aerobat makes a pretty fun glider!

[@backwardsnyfit]

My ex-flight instructor put us into a spin on my first lesson. That sucked. He also has so many of the negative traits mentioned here. Thank you for giving me some of my sanity back.

[@trevorbudge6702]

A good way to find a great instructor is to ask the local DPE. They know which CFI’s are setting up their students for success.

[@jaygallamore562]

Just saw this so just now commenting. Good video and very good points you make. I’ll ad my $0.02. I’m a retired Navy pilot and have also been a military flight instructor in high performance aircraft. if you don’t feel right or have safety concerns, address them immediately and if not satisfied with the response or answer, don’t fly with the questionable CFI. As an instructor, after a debrief where some things were critiqued, I always listed to student feedback which resulted in many worthwhile discussions. Fly safe….

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you for your service!! I appreciate you!

[@dickjohnson4268]

Great vid from a student's standpoint. On the other end; the frustration of keeping instructors headed in the same direction. Professionalism, welfare for the student, enthusiasm (fun), standardization, SAFETY (crashing into a hangar during an intro flightis dubious when it comes to safety).This is the 'short' version.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for your comment, Dick. Are you saying that it's hard to find instructors that are all of those things?

[@dickjohnson4268]

@@AirplaneAcademy With furloughs in the airline ranks, there are nound to be pilots that are all of the above. It was a real effort to hire enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors when I was trying to run a quality flight school. Only two of the instructors were aviation enthusiasts. They have both done quite well after the flight school, and still instruct for fun. The others built their flight time by wasting their student's money. Truly a shame.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Ah I understand. Makes sense what you're saying, and I've felt that (from a student's perspective) before.

[@jessehitt959]

Organized! You want to know at the end of todays flight lesson what to look forward to in the next... with little or no deviation. Also some instructors may be hesitant to teach things that aren't going to be required on the check ride (spin recovery, for example). Others may be more than willing. If the opportunity is offered, snatch it up. If not, ask for it.

[@philipzanoni]

I found a CFI to give me private lessons..we did the entire ground school at my house..it had a lot of benifits...one on one was worth every penny..he took his time , he often stayed over the allocated teaching time..And was very patient....I think that ground school made all the difference for me... After a few months, We then headed to the Airport and my first flight was mind blowing..all the stuff he taught me came to life.. Looking back, I think he was a master

[@acbennettcfi]

Super well said. I'm a long time CFI here, and strive to do all the things you encourage! I view my students as my customers first, and students second. I'll give them good constructive criticism and training, but I never want to send someone home with a proverbial tail between their legs. That is 100% unproductive!

[@BrettMcNary]

My CFI was great with the information, but made the cockpit a nervous wreck. Nervous energy made me on edge so much that I was exhausted after 30 minutes and couldn't focus on the tasks at hand. I really made flying NOT FUN. Isn't that the point? A great instructor knows the information and makes it fun to learn. LewDix comes to mind.

[@glennwatson]

I've flown with about 3 instructors so far. I would definitely recommend avoiding the cowboys and go with your gut instinct if you feel something is wrong. Had one guy where I never had good feelings about him, and ended up in a safety event that was investigated officially. I wanted to give this guy a chance but my gut was right.

[@jaidenchokshi4282]

I've been in flight training for less than a year but I've already had 3 instructors. Mu first one I didnt mesh with well and he was just there to build hours, but the next two I like much better. One of them is there for building but appreciates his job and he has become my backup instructor. My main instructor is a retired airline captain who I love training under. I've noticed that sometimes it gets frustrating as he looks at private pilot training like the ATP and expects perfection but I have quickly realized how much that helps me as a young student when I'm flying solo With the surprises, while I hate them, my instructor pulled power to idle when I was on downwind without any notice (I thought I was making a normal high wind approach). As much as I was shocked and a little terrified at first, he walked me through it and we landed damn near perfectly. So overall, yes, surprises suck but I think when done right they can be very helpful One last point that I found when looking at instructors at my school is that it's super helpful when your instructor understands your budget and helps you get through training effectively. Just as an example, I'm training on a tight budget and flying the cessna 152. The 152 gets booked super quick but we also 3 172s that could fly, but it is significantly more expensive. The day that I needed to prove my last bit of knowledge to be signed off for a solo the 152 was booked but the 172 was available. I asked my instructor and he quickly steered me away telling me that right before my solo that would be a bad decision because we would most likely have to retrain a lot because it's a different aircraft making it much more expensive for me as a student. I find it really helpful when instructors understand what their students goals are and how they can help meet those goals while still helping with boundaries

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for the comment and your added perspective, Jaiden. Congrats on your progress in training - stick with it! Sounds like you have a good set up.

[@davidkcampbell707]

Procedures are best taught by example and questions lead the student to do things on their own.

[@jellybeans6533]

Indeed, I had a CFI that couldn't lament enough about being a CFI. He was also the worst CFI I ever had. I ended up having to go to another flight school (20 miles away) but the instructors there were soooooo much better.