A Day In The Life Of An Independent Flight Instructor

Flight instruction jobs get looked down upon by much of the industry because "nobody wants to be a CFI". While that is true for most people, it's not true for me. As an independent CFI I get to tailor my students' flight training to suit them and make their training a fun experience. Being a part of my students' success is a huge part of why I love doing it and in this video you'll get to see what an average day looks like for me as an independent CFI!
Enjoy the flights!
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Disclaimer ⚠️
LewDix Aviation videos are edited to be as entertaining as possible. This may remove context. Many procedures, situations, explanations and flight phases have been edited out. Do not use for instructional purposes. This video is for entertainment purposes only.
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[@masonhenslee5905]

What a role model CFI Lew is.....If someone asked me how I want to be as a CFI, you just watched it.

[@LewDixAviation]

Ah thanks man!

[@clevealeka843]

@@LewDixAviationplease let me train with you I’ve been asking but no response brother!

[@edjarrett3164]

Your maturity as an experienced CFII really shows in this video. I like that you acknowledge that other instructors will milk student hours unnecessarily. Totally love your approach to instructing.

[@LewDixAviation]

Thank you. I'm trying to do things the correct way and show others that there is a way to instruct and have fun. People look at instructing as a chore. With the right mindset, it's so much fun. I get paid to be flown around by students. It's not bad at all!

[@edjarrett3164]

@@LewDixAviation ❤❤❤

[@cronk6879]

banger. im close to my CFi and its nice seeing you being a human being.

[@bigrich2980]

So few people with that kind of ethical and moral value left in this world. Good on ya mate. Cheers!

[@LewDixAviation]

Cheers mate! Trying to do it the right way 🙌🏻

[@nimbapilot6925]

I made a promise to myself when I was going through the FOI; Never would I step on someone’s dream(s) to get to mines. As the result of keeping to that commitment, I’m sitting him right now not doing what I love doing because the owner of the flight school I was instructing at wanted me to do just that. Milked my students at any cost. My loyalty is not to the flight school but instead, my loyalty is to my students! I know how I was milked by my instructors when I was going through my training and how it almost made me quit flight training. It’s sad to see instructors taking a 3 hours student into gusty weather conditions or make up a ground lesson for a pre-solo student on WAAS gps and how it works. I’m glad you have chosen to put your students first not your pocket! Great job buddy.

[@mikeshort3838]

Great insight into a CFI in Florida! I’ll be flying down from Michigan on Friday on my way to the Bahamas! I’m super excited but I always stress over flying in Florida! It’s absolutely crazy down there. Last year I got 4 compete reroutes in no more than 45 minutes! That’s stressful for us Midwest guys.

[@michaelhubbard2095]

I'm a private pilot based out of KSRQ. I was fortunate to have not one, but two instructors who took a very similar approach to instructing. I have no plans for a career change, but because of them and because of your videos, I do plan on becoming a CFI eventually and hopefully spending my retirement years teaching others the joy of aviation. Thank you for everything that you do for this community.

[@Durandalski]

I was just down in Orlando for a conference and some visits to Universal. Can confirm i4 is the worst road evar. I appreciated your roast of i4.

[@AlyssaM_InfoSec]

Really apprecaite this video Lew. Watching the level of precision in your students' landings inspired me to get my butt back in the patter to refine my skills. I realize that since getting my private pilot cert 2 years and 480 flight hours ago, I've allowed myself to get sloppy. So this video got me back to practicing for more precision in my landings.

[@LewDixAviation]

I’m glad it’s helped. It’s always the case that we get sloppy after not training for a while. It takes a particular mindset to get yourself up and out there to practice. Great to hear you’re doing it 🙌🏻

[@flysport_tedder]

great video. love this. 5:25 "avoid like a new student avoids the rudder pedals" lolol 9:50 omg those taxi instructions. 27:20 love watching you guide the yoke. not taking it, just doing the minimum.

[@MrClintonharper]

Answered a lot of my questions, Wonderful ethics! All flight instructors should watch this!

[@themaverickproject4577]

This is one of the best episodes I’ve seen yet. Great storytelling. Top notch editing skills that just keep getting better.

[@LewDixAviation]

Thank you man!

[@Acc0rd79]

You are truly an inspiration to us all, the dream instructor! I never thought I'd be interested in teaching but over the last year with my limited flying watching a baby all day and night I thought highly about going for it sometime down the road, even if it's just to teach my sons when they get older. Flying is a high stress environment for students and I'd hope to be able to joke around enough to take that edge off. I've taught tons of people to drive the big trucks at my job and that's generally how I approach it. Keep up these vlogs, I find them very interesting!

[@LewDixAviation]

Thanks man!

[@Rip1Outdoors]

Just a msfs sim pilot here. I really enjoy your videos.

[@LewDixAviation]

Thanks man!

[@cavok1984]

It's a shame I'm not in Florida and don't have the money to fly. I'd be booking you as my instructor without hesitation. Great stuff @LewDix Aviation!

[@LewDixAviation]

Cheers!

[@rickr5875]

From a fellow CFI, absolutely amazing! I love your humor!

[@LewDixAviation]

Thank you man!

[@TurningFinalOfficial]

This day in the life format is awesome. Please do more! I hope when I am a CFI I am able to inspire and understand my students like you do yours.

[@LewDixAviation]

Thanks man!

[@ranbirsingh7666]

What an awesome video mate, you are fantastic CFI 👊🏼. Didn’t realise ‘The Weekend’ was having flight training 😅

[@LewDixAviation]

Thanks man! Haha

[@landrus]

Tell Jonathan that was a super cool, but hard decision. I am in the absolute final stretch of getting my license, and only have to do the skill test preparation flights. Original date was May, 24th, but it already looks like, I have to postpone. So many things get in your way (for me, weather in February was shit, then end of last month cylinder 3 compression was shit, and our training plane was out for two weeks...) and you just can't do anything about it. So, him making that call on a perfect day is brilliant, especially knowing how frustrating that is. He'll do great! Give him a hug from a fellow frustrated student.

[@OmarKnowsEverything]

Thank you for continuing to be my inspiration in this beautiful aviation journey. Just passed my commercial checkride a week ago. On to my CFI training. It seems like yesterday when I first came across one of your videos a couple of years ago. A youtube algorithm glitch (maybe wasn’t) that suggested a general aviation video to a random Arab-American dude like me. From “zero to hero” in three years! This video came just in time! Please don’t stop making those funny and informative videos. I know from experience that GA videos don’t get high volume of “traffic”. But rest assured you have quality audience ❤

[@Tamaal123]

How’s CFI going?

[@OmarKnowsEverything]

@@Tamaal123 Unfortunately had to wait a bit before I go at it again. Saving up some money for the costly flights.

[@cortezchris2405]

Wow, I can't believe you read back that taxi instruction off the top of your head like that! That's amazing. I just passed my instrument checkride 2 days ago and best I can do is 4 or 5 different taxiways then forget the whole thing, lol.

[@LewDixAviation]

Haha if I was at an unfamiliar airport, I would have had to read it.

[@Alex-Livingston]

Studying for CFI right now. Thanks for some insight on this topic!

[@phillipruda2445]

Just a quick thank you. I passed my skills test this weekend. Your videos have kept me entertained, motivated and informed throughout, and inspired through the ups and downs of training. A big thank you. All the best.

[@LewDixAviation]

Ah that's brilliant mate! So pleased for you! Glad you enjoy my stuff!

[@bugsygr]

YIPPEE. Always a good day when a new LEWDIX vid drops.

[@LewDixAviation]

Yesssss!

[@LifeWithMatteo]

Im about 100 hours away before I realistically start preparing for the cfi route! This is awesome. Thanks, lew!

[@LewDixAviation]

You're welcome!

[@MyAviationDosis]

What a joy having a CFI like you Lew ! keep it up ! thanks for sharing !

[@LewDixAviation]

Thank you!

[@Zalaniar]

Love the video man! I can tell Reggie needs to get his eyes outside just by his trouble holding his pitch and heading, even without seeing where his eyeline is (which is inside a lot of the time).

[@LewDixAviation]

Yes you’re absolutely right. We are working on getting his eyes outside more.

[@kamikazemadmax]

Love your vids mate. I always load up on them before I head out for my own flights. Keep the great content coming!

[@LewDixAviation]

Thanks mate! That's great to hear!

[@tomboalogo]

Thanks for this one especially the part on fatigue. I’m 20 hours in and some days I get home after a lesson and I’m wiped. I thought it was cause I’m an old man but when I saw your student mentioned it I realized it’s just being brain tired. Hopefully, tomorrow’s lesson goes well. I’m going as often as I can weather wise (retired). I’m aiming for license by summer.

[@Adrian-qt6qr]

Good on Jonathan on that decission! What about flying with him to another (less bussy) airfield and starting solo there?

[@tktailslideproductions7280]

Good decision on Jonathon for not deciding to go up on a busy day for a solo. If this is a regular occurrence, would you consider doing some XC training and use that an an excuse to go someplace quieter and endorse him for solo at that airport for laps in the pattern, then fly back? Two birds 1 stone kinda thing?

[@KimWentworth-y8e]

I may be able to land the airplane and put it on center and right on the number but trying to not mess up that taxi is an issue. Whew!

[@bubbaman12289]

As a student who frequents in the art of trying to kill my cfi on a daily basis it's fun to see this side of the story

[@irishcurse65]

I have flown once in the last 6 months. It was my flight review in March. Ill be flying later this week. I fly the pattern for a hour or 2.

[@LewDixAviation]

Enjoy!

[@TheDenverdan]

Twenty past six is early?😂 love the videos man.

[@LewDixAviation]

😂 I can’t see straight anytime before 8

[@jon4739]

You would strangle me... I did 13 touch and goes a few days ago for 2 hours. My CFI was a saint :)

[@TheMountain295]

Hey Lew, if you think ORL is too busy, fly northwest bound and do some touch and gos at leesburg. I fly out of KISM but i rent a cessna at ORL to fly at night.

[@evanmcgrew400]

“Get them northwest! Go” Yep, they’re coming to Leesburg! Problem is, pattern is already full…. same at Apopka, Sanford, Kissimmee…. flight training has gone absolutely bonkers in the Orlando area in the last year.

[@LewDixAviation]

Absolutely. Nowhere is easy anymore unfortunately.

[@flyjarrett]

I’m a private pilot and am a member in a club. I wish I had an instructor like you. The only instructor at our club is an absolute witch and is intolerable in the plane.

[@LewDixAviation]

That’s a shame to hear. I’m trying to show the right way of doing things 🙌🏻

[@flyjarrett]

@@LewDixAviation hope to see you in Oshkosh!

[@TBone4983]

I love your checklists, but I'm a sport pilot student. Any chance of seeing one for an RV-12 someday?

[@ethanaed]

Great video lewdix. I wish you could be my flight instructor

[@LewDixAviation]

Thank you 🙌🏻

[@ethanaed]

I avoid I-4 at all costs like students avoid the rudder. Best line of the year 🤣🤣🤣

[@LewDixAviation]

🙌🏻 no lies were told

[@ethanaed]

@@LewDixAviation as a student pilot. Yes you are correct. 🤣

[@six_twentythree]

I live in Tampa and drive to Orlando occasionally on I-4 and you are 100% dead on about how ass-awful it is.

[@PghGameFix]

great intro. LOL AND.... the taxi back will get your first student at least another hour time !!

[@garabato21]

Excellent Grade A banter! 😂 As an independent CFI, do you have to get a separate CFI insurance policy and rent planes yourself from a flight school? Are most schools cool with indy CFIs? I'm working on CFI now and genuinely curious about setting something like that up too. Thanks from Tampa Lew!

[@sammilburn445]

have you ever thought about trying to use sanford or another airport in the orlando area? all going to plan, ill be out there in august :)

[@LewDixAviation]

I rarely use SFB. They have L3 up there and I don't feel like dodging them haha

[@mikebailey9998]

Excellent!

[@Oldpuck81]

At what point do you know your students are ready for checkride endorsement? Do you demand consistent perfection on all maneuvers, or do you assume students will have some sloppiness here or there but are a solid & safe pilot?

[@yotamsherf]

Where do you charter now? After VAA isn't in KORL anymore?

[@av8or971]

Lewis... wouldnt it have been shorter, if you taxiied to the freeway, and then to the airport? or maybe just land on the freeway

[@LewDixAviation]

I think so!

[@jsprague2453]

Have you done a Solar Bears game at Kia Center?

[@LewDixAviation]

I have a couple of times. Very enjoyable.

[@jsprague2453]

@@LewDixAviation Nice! I like how the club level seats were like $20. Outstanding bang for the buck.

[@Hex2906]

The volume is a bit all over mate haha. The aircraft comms are very loud. But good to see!

[@LewDixAviation]

Levels are good on my end!

[@Hex2906]

@@LewDixAviation might be me then. Had to constantly up it when you were in between flights

[@LewDixAviation]

@@Hex2906 hmm I’ll keep an ear out next edits. Sometimes things look/sound good on my computer but when it hits KZbin something is off

[@chriswilson2310]

Mannnn you are making me want to start instructing again lol

[@LewDixAviation]

Massive compliment! Appreciate it!

[@hammerdown_9627]

Lew! checking in after a long time away. Are you still Flying Silver?

[@LewDixAviation]

Welcome back! I’m no longer at Silver.

[@mikemccarron1162]

Awesome decision for sure but couldn’t you have gone to another close airport near by that isn’t so busy and done the solo test.

[@LewDixAviation]

With the time left before my next lesson, no.

[@Jeremy_boi]

I would like to know how do you become an independent CFI and how do you market yourself?

[@LewDixAviation]

Well I’ve been making videos since 2015 and flight training ones since 2016 so the majority of my students come from them watching my channel.

[@joem.7307]

🙌🏼🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@Zalaniar]

Awww man Murph's gone? What happened?

[@glennwatson]

Soccer is soccer. But everyone knows football is Australian rules football. (For those versed i am reducing my location inside Australia also).

[@LewDixAviation]

Aussie rules is a chaotic mess and I love it.

[@Michael-md1sz]

Just because I have no idea. Are you limited to that airport since you are independent instructor?

[@LewDixAviation]

No. I fly out of many airports in this area but I mainly fly from Orlando Executive. Simply because it's the nicest and this particular aircraft is most available, scheduling-wise haha

[@JohnLemieux]

Lew & Order: VSI

[@LewDixAviation]

😂 Love it

[@KimWentworth-y8e]

Ok, Progressive taxi. This would blow up my brain. No problem flying and landing but the taxi is a brain zinger.

[@SaqeebKhan910]

🐐

[@Timberns]

Why not just go over to Orlando North and solo him there?

[@LewDixAviation]

Time

[@Wabs11]

C'mon Bolton!

[@carlosmontalvo4351]

Murph is gone :(

[@nsv1218]

100% agree, it's football haha!

[@LewDixAviation]

Yes!

[@keithmiller2714]

Being an independent instructor, is that your own plane?

[@LewDixAviation]

No it’s a rental.

[@abingdonboy]

What happened to your airline job, you could be making bank already

[@hypoxicninja]

love your videos, but i do spend most of the time trimming your beard in my head

[@LewDixAviation]

Appreciate it.. and the shape up