onlineuniversalwork

That was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I relish the opportunity to tell everyone what an absolutely superlative experience I had as a student at Flyers. My expereince culminated with a brief stint as an instructor there. I would have gladly stayed longer as an instructor but I received my CFI just shortly before Sept. 11th. For some time after that fateful day, there was no work there for part-timers like me. I therefore regretfully moved on.

To say that I would literally kiss the ground my instructors walked on is not an exaggeration. They were, to an individual, patient, positive, very knowledgeable, open and friendly, professional, and, most importantly, supportive of me. Their positive attitudes and dedication to helping me succeed were critical because I had severe confidence issues and required a great deal of calm hand-holding to work through almost everything. I was my own worst enemy in the sense that my deep fears often severely hampered my abilities to perform. However, in five years of training, I do not remember, even once, an instructor becoming impatient or upset with me – although there were many times, I’m sure, when they were ready to chew their shoes with frustration by the end of a lesson! As long as I was willing to work (and believe me, I was), they stood beside me and let me know that they would be there for the duration. The staff, for the most part, treated me equally well.

Those instructors and staff at American Flyers not only made me a CFII – an accomplishment way beyond anything I dreamed of when I went back to renew my license – they also made a deep difference in my life that far exceeded teaching me to fly. They turned my whole attitude around. Now I live in Boise, Idaho, and the situation is very different. The flying and instructing communities here are comparatively small, and lacking in structure, cohesion and ambition. When I came here the lack of employer support, students, and instructing jobs for “outsiders” like me forced me out of active teaching, although I still maintain my currency. What a disappoiintment. Someday I’ll find a way back in. In the meantime, I still fly for myself. And when I have the means and opportunity, I’ll go back to Flyers for a “vacation” to update my IFR skills, and simply enjoy the positive, dynamic interaction with the truly professional instructor culture there once again.

I can vouch for Horizon as a great flight school, even though I prefer a part 61 training environment over a part 141 environment. I do, however, want to emphasize that a CFI doesn’t have to be a career CFI to be a great and effective CFI. We all know that there are plenty of CFIs that are strictly building time and do not value their students time, money, progress or enthusiasm. There are, however, some great CFIs that plan to move on to another flying career as their life moves forward.

I simply want to point out that just because someone does not want to live a CFI lifestyle forever as a full time instructor, that doesn’t automatically bundle them with inadequate CFIs. I am sure Zeke will agree with this, as many of his instructors that have moved on were first rate. Regardless of one’s eventual plans, one either has a passion for instructing (as myself) or doesn’t. The latter will almost always result in a poor flight instructor.

I planned on the usual path of becoming a CFI to build time and get out of there as fast as I could; however, after my first 6 minutes of it, I fell in love. I did it for 2 years, and about 1200 hours of dual given. Then I decided I needed to get a stable income and relax before the crazy dawn until dusk hours burnt me out. It was time to go for the airlines. Now I am a first officer with a regional airline (much less exciting!). I saw a good amount of CFIs come and go from our flight school. Most great, very few not great. Most were very professional with students.

That being said, I think, for the most part, you have a valid argument. I think the main problem is that most CFIs aren’t happy in their position for one of two main reasons: 1. The flight school doesn’t treat them well, 2. They can’t stop looking forward to what comes after CFI, so they aren’t happy with their job. I think the second one is most common, but certainly not alone. I worked for best flight school in the state of Florida, maybe in the country. SunQuest Aviation in West Palm Beach. It’s a mom and pop shop run by a husband and wife. The husband is a pilot with a major airline and the wife is a comptroller for a country club. They run the flight school because they love aviation. They obviously would love to make extra money at it, but that is not their intent. They are both amazing people, along with a phenomenal office manager and a great group of instructors. The atmosphere was very laid back and very customer service oriented. It wasn’t run like a money-making business as many flight schools are. It is run simply as a professional, business-like flight school. The student always comes first. I cannot remember any students or renters that were ever dissatisfied, except for the occassional unreasonable one time renter. All of that boils down to the flight school being a big factor in grooming a CFI to be professional. As you stated in the article, much of it stems from the first phone call. I would urge you to call SunQuest any time you want, you’ll get Tamara, the office manager, on most days. You’ll hang up that phone wanting more than ever to get out to that flight school. Once you get there, you’ll be greeted by her once again and you’ll be astounded at the level of customer service. I promise you that. Each Saturday SunQuest hosts Pizza on the Patio, free for any and all airport bums and $50 SuperCub rides. Anyway, enough blabbing about SunQuest. The bottom line is that a good flight training experience starts with the flight school you choose and how that flight school chooses and grooms its instructors. I believe if you choose a flight school, rather than a business that involves flight training, you’re in for a success. On time, well prepared, business card-having, non-cancelling instructors are the ones that enjoy the experience of teaching and enjoy where they work. They’re the ones at SunQuest Aviation…

While there are many things that contribute to the quality of a school, the single most important piece is the quality of the instruction delivered. After all, before we’re social clubs, we’re flight schools! So addressing the quality of the instructors is crucial.

Most CFIs around the country are simply time building. They’re trying to become airlines or corporate pilots. And it shows. There are few CFIs who want to be professional flight instructors. Nor is there historically much perceived opportunity for them to do so. A large part of this is the pay. At most places a CFI makes as much as a burger flipper at the local fast food joint. If you want good flight instruction, you’re going to have to pay. And we’re starting to see that around the country. We see some schools with true professional instructors. They have the knowledge, teaching skills, and conduct to be counted as such. And if they are true professionals, they need to get compensated and treated accordingly.

Mr. Jampolsky makes a particularly interesting point about the training process for CFIs. They’re given minimal training and then cut loose with little further guidance. This is not the way to ensure success.

At Horizon Aviation, we have developed a systematic process to continue coaching and developing our CFIs. We’re the only school I know that does this. Our Chief Instructor rides along as an observer during a real lesson with each CFI on a routine schedule – with the goal of coaching the CFI to higher quality. He’s not there to teach the instructor – he’s there to observe the CFI and coach him/her. We have developed a comprehensive program that clearly articulates what every lesson should include and then we coach and monitor our CFIs to get to that objective. Also, we reward ongoing professional development. At the schools you folks have seen, when was the last time you showed up for a lesson and an instructor said “hey, I just read this article on xyz and here’s how it applies to you and it got me thinking about xxx.” We must keep learning and growing as instructors and pilots.

Do you think this is on the right track? Thoughts/comments? Suggestions?

Zeke Valtz
http://www.horizonaviation.com

More seriously, I had one great CFI, Peter Delap, who was working on his hours for a job with the majors (he had success 1/2 way through my training) and then a constant changing cadre of other CFIs who were sometimes around for only 1 or 2 sessions. The Chief Pilot also changed at least once.

After getting my PPSEL, I joined a local flying club with 6 airplanes and a dedicated core of CFIs who mostly had regular jobs and flying was a passion for them. What a difference. These CFI’s were and are much more interested in sharing their passion and joy of flying and turning out high quality pilots who will share the joy with them as opposed to the first flight school which operated more as a numbers game. Now I get that a business needs to make money, but my original FBO did nothing to engender loyalty or repeat business after students got their ticket.

Another thought is to fix up the base of operations. While I don’t expect Raytheon or Flight Signature standards when I walk into a FBO, I really don’t like walking into an FBO where the couches and carpets have not been replaced in 20 years and the entire place is dirtier than my auto mechanic’s shop. As a pilot who enjoys sharing the joy of flight with friends and giving first flights to many “might be someday” pilots, FBO’s should have a lounge or main office area that is clean and presentable.

Flashback another 9 years and my first landings in cowpastures in a ’47 Aeronca Champ. Bill Goeken, a co-pilot for Delta at the time, had bartered his instructor time in exchange for a table saw. We practiced landings in various private pasture strips in north Texas. We truly had to clear the grass strips of cattle before landing. I remember confirming my first unassisted landing when I turned around to see Bill holding his small son fast asleep in his lap as the plane rolled out. Bill, if you are reading this, you may be glad to know I am now instrument rated and SR20 endorsed. I hope you are well. Thanks for the inspiring start.

Which brings me to my instrument check ride. No less a memorable event. Aviation folks in SE Iowa will recognize the name of now retired FAA examiner Tommy Thompkins. Mr. Thompkins, a P51 veteran, in his mid 80s at the time, gave me my instrument check ride on a rainy afternoon in Burlington Iowa during a Grumman owners fly-in. During every approach, a group of Grummans were flying formation with a few random planes mixed in to add to the excitement. Our traffic alert was going off continuously as Mr. Thompkins handled the radios and I did my best to execute approaches to check ride tolerances while dodging more adventurous pilots enjoying their afternoon in the sky. I understand Mr. Thompkins retired soon thereafter and I wish him well and a heartfelt thanks for a great learning experience.

Last but not least, if you want a truly remarkable flight school experience, visit Classic Aviation in Pella, Iowa where I completed my instrument and Cirrus transition training. Shane Van derVoot runs a pristine FBO/flight school specializing in Cirrus transition training. Shane’s mom and dad fill in as office manager and flight instructor in a classic Dutch atmosphere to give all their students the benefits only a family tradition can provide.

And speaking of family tradition, don’t forget to pay a visit to Ottumwa Flying Service, just down the road, where Steve Black and his wife and mom run a first class FBO/charter/school. The huge WWII hanger made entirely of wood is worth a stop by itself. Thanks and good luck to Ben Krieger for giving me a good start on my instructor ticket before he moved on to the regionals.