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Forum >> Flight TrainingLook For The Gray HairAs a general rule of thumb, I would most decidedly recommend an older flight instructor to train with. He/she may be crusty, cantankerous and just plain difficult to get along with, but if he/she's got 3 or 4 logbooks full of hours, this is the instructor you want. He/she can teach you things that the younger instructors still have to learn. Only thing better would be to find the older guy or gal who was trained in the military. Be patient, listen closely to everything he/she says, watch and FEEL as they demonstrate maneuvers, then try to copy their action. You'll sweat blood, but in the end it's well worth it. They'll turn you into one of the better pilots out there flying.
Re: Look For The Gray HairNot sure how I feel about an ex military instructor. They fly in a different world. Very structured.
Re: Look For The Gray HairI can appreciate where you are coming from. Me being a CFI myself, I still get alot of great instruction from my father. He's got the gray hair and hours, and some Air Force experience. At the same time though, aside from him being blood, I found it very frustrating at times being his student. We think very different when it comes to aviation. He gives it to ya dry and verbatim. I had to pull teeth at times for him to fully answer questions in a way I could understand. Not just with dad, but I see this pattern with older, most experienced pilots. But god bless him, I couldn't have done it without him.
Re: Look For The Gray HairOlder may be better is some cases, but I wouldn't assume someone is a better instructor just because he has 3 or 4 logbooks full of hours. 10 years ago when I was getting my PPL, my instructor was old and very experienced. Now that I'm an instructor looking back, I realize he was an excellent pilot, but not necessarily a good instructor. He was not very adept at communication, and he was not very enthusiastic about instructing. In the years since earning my private ticket, I've had the opportunity to fly with many instructors... some young, some old, some with the ink still wet on their CFI certificates, some who had been instructing for decades, some military-trained, some civilians, some crusty and cantankerous, some mild-mannered. In the end, the ones that I felt were the best instructors were the ones who understood the concepts and could convey them clearly. Learning is a change in behavior as a result of experience. In my opinion, whoever is best at facilitating learning makes the best instructor. That is not always the oldest and most experienced instructor.
Re: Look For The Gray HairEh...I'm not sure I can agree with you on this. When it comes to instruction, hours don't mean anything! Hours don't dictate how well someone can effectively teach. Sure, they may have seen more in those "4 logbooks" -- but does that mean they can adequately convey the information in a method that is conducive to teaching? No way! I'm a young CFI (started instructing when I was 22). I have a 100% success rate with my students that I have sent for check rides (private through commercial students (ASEL & AMEL). Not to toot my own horn but I must be doing something right. I have had students transfer to me from older instructors and some have mentioned to me it was such a relief to fly with me. They enjoy the enthusiasm and availability that a younger CFI has provided them. An older instructor is going to be more rigid in their ways because they are so used to their way that works. While a younger student is going to better adapt to a new student because they themselves are still learning and therefore are willing to try new methods and techniques with a student to make things work for the student. You mention they may be difficult to get along with. This is probably the worst thing ever. For many new students flying is a somewhat nerve racking experience. Sitting next to someone that you don't get along with for 40+ hours in the claustrophobic environment of a 172 is NOT going to be conducive. Also, with the advent of the new glass cockpits you will see the younger students (for the most part) having a better grasp of the new technology -- considering the fact that they grew up using computers. Finally, a younger instructor doesn't feel the need to hammer in the methods of flying 40 years ago. Things change, wouldn't you want the instructor that has learned in a fresh new environment with the newest technology?
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retread Oct 31, 2008 01:42:53
Greg Bockelman Nov 08, 2008 15:34:50
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