So, should I renew my Instructor rating?

[fougapilot]

Alright, so here is the $100 question;

I am an old fart (40yo), I have 7000+hrs, I have a full time "job" flying a Challenger 604, was a Flight Safety instructor (Challenger series) for 7 years and a Challenger examinator for 3 years, I fly both solo and formation aerobatic airshows, have nearly 1000 flights as PIC in gliders and over 100 SkyDives.

Many (if not most) flight schools are a little thin on instructors and with the industry going full throttle most instructor have very little experience.

My class III instructor rating expired back in 1992, should I renew it?

F

[Hedley]

What kind of flight instruction are you considering giving?

Ab initio? Night? Commercial? Instrument? Multi?
Tailwheel? Type-specific checkouts? Aerobatic?
Low-altitude aerobatic? Formation? Formation aerobatic?
Low-altitude formation aerobatic?

Frankly, I think your time is wasted in the right seat of
a buck fifty - even though I am sure you could do a great
job of it - you have so much other knowledge you could be
passing on.

If you want a recommend for the written and flight test,
let me know! Aviation needs people like you teaching
the new guys.

You should also pick up a class 2 aerobatic instructor
rating at the same time.

P.S. I just added 2 new types to my ICAS card!

[SQ]

Many (if not most) flight schools are a little thin on instructors and with the industry going full throttle most instructor have very little experience.
F

that's a very good idea to renew yor Instructor rating
may be you could instruct to more experienced pilot, and let the less experienced instructor build experience and hours on 150 while you'll be instructing at CAE; or instructing glider or aerobatics...

[200hr Wonder]

What kind of flight instruction are you considering giving?

Ab initio? Night? Commercial? Instrument? Multi?
Tailwheel? Type-specific checkouts? Aerobatic?
Low-altitude aerobatic? Formation? Formation aerobatic?
Low-altitude formation aerobatic?

Frankly, I think your time is wasted in the right seat of
a buck fifty - even though I am sure you could do a great
job of it - you have so much other knowledge you could be
passing on.

If you want a recommend for the written and flight test,
let me know! Aviation needs people like you teaching
the new guys.

You should also pick up a class 2 aerobatic instructor
rating at the same time.

P.S. I just added 2 new types to my ICAS card!

Here we have piles of people pissing and moaning that instructors in this country do not have enough experience and then when someone with a truck load of experience expresses interest into getting back into the instructing game you discourage it? I mean fougapilot ought to be able to get someone through a PPL in 45hours with his experience right?

[Hedley]

fougapilot ought to be able to get someone through a PPL in 45hours with his experience

Heh - I would hope so! But someone with his experience
and skills could perhaps be better utilized giving advanced
instruction, possibly to new commercial pilots, maybe
IFR and also to new instructors.

Ever heard the saying about teaching a man to fish?

Dunno if he's got enough DOT "counters" or not, but someone
with his background ought to be a class one instructor / class
one aerobatic instructor, IMHO.

[fougapilot]

Ab-inition is not what I am looking for. I have done enough of it and wouldnt care to ever do it again.

My idea is more to teach some professionalism to the students that are serious about doing this as a career. Not necessarily taking student throught their commercial studies, but more like a brief part of it to prep them a little more to the reality of our world.

I would very much love to get the Acro Instructor rating now that i have my solo and formation acro SAC card. I guess I know a bit about acro.

H,

How would I go about doing them both at once...

Still thinking about it...

F

[fougapilot]

P.S. I just added 2 new types to my ICAS card!

Which ones...

I still have the single type, but changed to level III and added the toughtest one of all, formation )))

[Hedley]

Which ones

http://www.pittspecials.com/etc/hs_ramp.jpg

Congrats on getting the "formation" act added!

P.S. If you renew your class 3 instructor rating,
it will be a cinch to get your class 2 aerobatic
instructor rating, because of your pre-existing
instructor background, and your aerobatic
experience (eg ICAS card). Hardest part is
finding a Transport Inspector qualified to do
the ride.

Do you realize how few Canadians hold ICAS
cards? There probably aren't more than 10
or so in the entire country. That puts you into
pretty elite territory!

I can help with both - I hold both a class one
instructor rating, and a class one aerobatic
instructor rating. I renew them both at the
same time.

Do it!

[SQ]

hedley
how much how long how many hrs for a cycle 1 aerobatic rating ?

thanks

[Rudder Bug]

Same here; I've been holding a Class II for 10 years and did not renew since 1984. I'm a bit reluctant to refresh as I have been told it would be more work for me than for a young initial to be back to instructing...but I loved it.

But if Fougapilot is an old fart at 40. I must be stonehenge!

[Cat Driver]

I'm a bit reluctant to refresh as I have been told it would be more work for me than for a young initial to be back to instructing...but I loved it.

Who told you that?

And why would it be harder to go back to instructing than a young initial if you wanted to?

[MichaelP]

If Fougapilot renews his instructor rating there's a job for him with us.

He can retain his glider pilot skills in the Diamonds, and help us train in the new generation aircraft. [I'd love to buy that Diamond Extreme that was for sale recently].
The DA40-180 is now on our OC and we can offer IFR training in it using the G1000...
The DA42 FTD arrives soon and so we will start multi engine IR renewals and basic IR training using this and eventually we'll have a swish new twin to fly.

There's nothing wrong with doing Ab-Initio training IMHO. One thing that is required is to do a little of this and to help build up the skills of the instructors here as well.
Quality flight training requires high ability high experienced instructors to help the new class IVs raise their abilities.
This is my job as CFI and I'd appreciate the help!

I'm sorry to say that the school does not have a Pitts S2 but there is a student who has just bought one and I'm one of the two here who could teach him to fly it why not make it three
We may start him in the Citabria...

BTW I am considering renewing my aerobatic instructor rating as well, and if I do a Class 1 regular instructor rating I can probably do the Class 1 aerobatic rating as well... But I need some help to be able to spend the time doing all of this!
[Many moons ago I taught people how to instruct elementary aerobatics... I'm not an unlimited type though ].

Come and see me!

[Rudder Bug]

Who told you that?

And why would it be harder to go back to instructing than a young initial if you wanted to?

Hello .,

One of my old class I buddies, we had our initial flight test one after the other 35 years ago, he kept current and refreshes old farts like me at times. There have been lots of changes since I got my rating, lots of new books, procedures and techniques over my head.

Why I did not renew in 1984 is because of a TC inspecor who asked me about the 8 Learning Principles, which were not in my old books nor my common sense. I said What? And he failed my class II and gave me a III for 60 days that I used to train 3 Aeronca partners and then I gave it up. The TC guy had 15,000 hours, all instruction and was running a successful flying school in Africa for many years.

Why I failed my class II renewal? He told me I got lost, not knowing the village's name under us when we were 15 miles final, runway visual for CYUL (Montreal Intl) and also for my explanation of how to land. He wanted me to say we flare when we see the horizon matching with the end of the runway. I had other ways to make a student realize we are close to the ground. He also failed me because I did not taxi the 150 on the yellow line. I admit I tend to cut some corners.

That's why I'm no longer an insructor.

But hey, my pride is that my reputation, by then, was I could take a 35 IQ guy to a pilot license.

[Cat Driver]

and also for my explanation of how to land. He wanted me to say we flare when we see the horizon matching with the end of the runway. I had other ways to make a student realize we are close to the ground.

Amazing, simply amazing.....

.......Can you explain to me what that would look like so I can try it sometime?

.....how would you know when to flare if there was no horizon?

.....how would you know when to flare if there was no runway, just snow or water or in the desert...just light brown sand and no horizon?

I let my class II lapse in 1965.....never ever needed one since then.

Why I did not renew in 1984 is because of a TC inspecor who asked me about the 8 Learning Principles,

Ahhh yes those learning principles..... you should have demonstrated the principle of " intensity " .

A good swift kick in the nuts would be the best way to demonstrate that principle to him.

From an old Flight Instructor Guide....

Quote:

The Principle of Intensity: ( Vivid, shocking, dramatic, realistic, or unexpected things are long remembered.)

A swift kick in the nuts would have covered all that quite nicely Rudderbug.

[Rudder Bug]

Yes by!
I admit he's an idiot when it comes to flying an airplane but he was really good in caricatures. He draw some awesome cartoons, really funny, they were in his TC office. It took me a couple years to find one of his qualities, a true artist but a disaster as a pilot.

And I can't teach flying anymore

[Rudder Bug]

And you know what Cat? I will teach my buyers to fly a Volmer when I sell my first one and will have a lot of fun!

[Cat Driver]

The volmer is a neat toy...I hope to get to fly yours when you are finished.

Now back to the flight instructor rating.....there are many ways you can teash without holding one...all of which pay more that you would make handcuffed by the rating.

[Rudder Bug]

just light brown sand and no horizon?

You are bringing up another experience. After our "white outs" in snow and our glassy waters, when I was flying geophysics in the Andes of Chile, I experienced a "brown out" in the desert...the shadow of the Navajo saved our ass when I saw it almost full-size at 160 kts. I pulled-up sharply and can still write here!

[Rudder Bug]

Absolutely Cat and I love to train my swampers when I have the opportunity to do it. About the Volmer, you will be more than welcome to fly the boat! I will keep you posted of my progress down the road.

[Cat Driver]

Check your PM's Rudder Bug.

[Hedley]

Mike wrote:

BTW I am considering renewing my aerobatic instructor rating as well, and if I do a Class 1 regular instructor rating I can probably do the Class 1 aerobatic rating as well

Get your class one instructor rating! Once you have that, it's a cinch
to get your class one aerobatic instructor rating. See the CARs.

P.S. If you're going to fly Pitts, you need to learn two things:

1) how to land it, and
2) how to unspin it

Dunno if yours has a two-blade metal prop, or a 3-blade
composite, but they are very different beasts. You must
be very careful with the two-blade metal prop, to avoid
breaking the crankshaft. There are a long list of maneuvers
to avoid. None of this is written down anywhere.

how much how long how many hrs for a cycle (class?)
1 aerobatic rating ?

Well, that depends upon how much instruction experience
you have, and how much aerobatic experience you have.

If you have lots of both, it's a gimme. If you have none
of either, it's going to take some work!

[MichaelP]

P.S. If you're going to fly Pitts, you need to learn two things:

1) how to land it, and
2) how to unspin it

It has the two blade metal prop...
I flew one many years ago and thought it a heavy thing compared to the Stampe, the Stampe being a pleasure to fly.
I slipped it in at 80KIAS kicked it straight and it didn't seem so bad landing wise, and I am familiar with what strong bungees do! Advice on these things though is always welcome.
I have more time in the Christen Eagle II, and this was very easy to fly.
Let me know the spin problems... Inverted and erect. I am not averse to putting the stick fully forward and even using inspin aileron where the need arises and holding it there!

[Hedley]

Let me know the spin problems

Actually, there aren't any spin problems in the Pitts. I frequently enter
and exit inverted spins below 1000 AGL in the Pitts - did it again today
actually - without any problems.

The Pitts responds wonderfully to classic Beggs-Mueller:

1) power off
2) rudder opposite to YAW across nose
3) let go of stick (or centralize - "soft hands")
4) start at #1 again

When I'm doing spin training in the Pitts, I like to do the
basic "six pack" spin matrix: each of normal, flat and
accelerated, all 3 of the above both upright and inverted.

Most people are surprised which are the most docile
spins, and which are the most "interesting". Quite
counter-intuitive. For example, the inverted flat
is a complete pussycat, and can be exited easily
and safely at very low altitude. Conversely, the
upright flat must be given enormous respect - it
has killed quite a few people - and recovery must
be initiated at a very high altitude.

I like to train people to recognize spins early, and
apply recovery techniques early on, before the
spin develops into something really interesting.

Hammerhead gone negative in the vertical is
a classic entry for an accidental inverted spin.

If there is ONE lesson that I want people to take
away from spin training in the Pitts, is that the
stick does VERY BAD THINGS to spins, and many
people apply these inputs and they don't know
they are even doing it until you point it out to
them.

Anyways, be very gentle with that heavy metal
2-blade prop. Keep the snap roll entry speeds
low. No tumbles. No torque rolls. No tailslides.
No power-on (ie flat) spins. All of the above
put enormous stress on the crankshaft resulting
from the precession of the very heavy prop.

Have fun! The Pitts is a wonderful aircraft. It
gives you an awful lot of bang for the buck.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to
help. I maintain FOUR of the beasts, so I
know them pretty well.

P.S. Hey Dan, where the hell were you today?
We had a GREAT time at the open house - we
brought four aircraft over (all the pilots I could
muster, who can fly interesting airplanes).

[fougapilot]

P.S. Hey Dan, where the hell were you today?
We had a GREAT time at the open house - we
brought four aircraft over (all the pilots I could
muster, who can fly interesting airplanes).

I broke enroute... My alternator failed. Not a big deal on the CJ since all is pneumatic, but since I am leaving for an airshow in a few hours I chose to return and have it fixed in stead.

F

[fougapilot]

Alright, you convinced me (well not exactly, I had kinda made up my mind before hand...)

I now have 1/3 of my project completed; Wrote the Instructor Class IV exam this morning. Don't tell TC, but I did not find it that hard. Scored 89% after a complete day of studying. I guess all those 24years and 7000+hrs of experience do come out handy once in a while...

My Flt Test is booked for next week and should complete the second third of my master plan.

The last third will come around early fall when armed with my valid Instructor rating and my SAC card, I'll go and get my aerobatic instructor rating.

Stay tune for more,

F