Advice to a new Flight Instructor?

[teh1pilot]

Good day all

I'm a new member to the forum's, although I have been using avcanada for quite some time in search of employment opportunities. Since I am new to the forum's, I do apologize if this forum is related to any other topic created that I may have overlooked.

I recently completed my Class 4 Instructor Rating in December 2012, and have both Multi and Group 1 IFR certificates as well. I was just recently offered the opportunity to start instructing with Cooking Lake Aviation Academy(CEZ3), and am set to start learning the dispatch side of things Feb 25.

The problem I currently face is the fact that the environment is entirely new to me. I've completed all my certificates from CPL->Multi/IFR/Instructor with Centennial Flight Centre in Edmonton City Centre Airport(CYXD), which a majority of their fleet consist of C172M/N, and all analog instrumentation. CEZ3 have IMHO, some of the best kept aircraft i've seen in a long time, including seemingly brand new A/C(C172S) with G1000 upgrades. Long story short, brand new airport, brand new planes, brand new instrument layout, coupled with the fact I'm 23 and look about 12.

Given all of this information, I am very curious to hear from anyone. Can you folks offer any words of advice for a new instructor in my situation? What should I expect to happen over the next couple weeks? Can should be expected of me in regards to doing the checkout/competency ride with the CFI? Things to watch out for?

Any input would be much appreciated!

Cheers

[padre12]

Just always remember who is PIC.

- from an old CFI and Class 1 Instructor.

[PositiveRate27]

I had the same problem (looking about 12) when I started instructing. Just remember, you don't have to know everything, you just need to be one step ahead of your students. They don't know anything compared to what you know so they will naturally think you are the man. Just demonstrate confidence (real or fake) and you will do fine!

[PilotDAR]

Demonstrate competence, the confidence will come in time. Explain to your students that you will take responsibility for their safety while they learn from you, and all the other sources of learning available them during their training.

Fake nothing, you'll look silly when you're caught at it, and it will cast all the skills you genuinely hold in doubt too. If you don't know something, like everything else in life, just say "I don't know, but I'm going to find out, or find someone who will answer it for you". You'll be amazed what you learn too!

When a student does something right, say so. Let them build on a foundation of what they have accomplished, so they can focus with confidence in the areas in which improvement is required. Learning is a positive experience, not a discouraging put down.

I don't care how many letters you have earned after your name, remember that there will always be a few simple PPL's from whom you can still learn something about aviation. Always show that you're open to learn....

[Colonel Sanders]

I recently completed my Class 4 Instructor Rating in December 2012

By definition, you will not be doing any freelance - you
will be working at an FTU, under the supervision of a
class 2 or 1 instructor.

It really doesn't matter where you are, or what equipment
you have, although it's nice if it doesn't break all the time.

What matters is your C.F.I.

If you have a smiling, strong C.F.I. with lots of knowledge
and a great sense of humour, it's going to be a good FTU
to work at. Any questions, ask the supervising instructor
(which at a small school will be the C.F.I.) A new class 4
instructor can be expected to ask a few questions, so
don't be afraid to! You're going to learn an awful lot about
flying and instructing in the next few months.

However, if you have an unpleasant, weak or absent C.F.I.
it's going to be more challenging for you. This is getting to
be more and more common these days, and I'm afraid you're
going to have to get up to speed by yourself on stuff.


Free advice:

1) don't let anyone talk you into doing anything dangerous
or stupid. If the wx is bad, or the aircraft isn't running well,
don't take the flight. I know a retired AC captain who develops
vertigo at times like these. Seriously.

2) don't break any regs. It's just not worth it. If you do
and get caught, you're going to have some explaining to
do at interviews in the future. Some places won't even
talk to you, if you have contraventions on your record.

3) don't run out of gas. You would be surprised how often
flight training aircraft have excess air in the tanks. Know
how much fuel you have, know your fuel burn, and try to
put the caps back on.

I hope this helps,

[Colonel Sanders]

What matters is your C.F.I.

You're awfully young, and this is probably your
first real job, so you don't know this yet, but ...

Any small company (eg 50 or less employees)
is pretty much a personality cult, in my experience.

There is a proprietor, for better or worse, who
founded and grew the company, and he runs the
show. The company is an extention of the
proprietor, and his personality and ethics.

If he is a great guy, it's going to be a great
company. If he's an @sshole, you don't want
to work there, regardless of the salary. It's
that simple.

After you get some experience, you will realize
that the only involvement you want to have
with a small company, is as the proprietor.
Try hard not to be an @sshole.

Not much different from a religious cult, really.

[YYZSaabGuy]

You're awfully young, and this is probably your first real job, so you don't know this yet, but ...

Any small company (eg 50 or less employees) is pretty much a personality cult, in my experience.

There is a proprietor, for better or worse, who founded and grew the company, and he runs the show. The company is an extention of the proprietor, and his personality and ethics.

If he is a great guy, it's going to be a great company. If he's an @sshole, you don't want to work there, regardless of the salary. It's that simple.

After you get some experience, you will realize that the only involvement you want to have with a small company, is as the proprietor. Try hard not to be an @sshole.

Not much different from a religious cult, really.

Truer words were never spoken. And nowhere is this more true
than in the wonderful, whacky world of commercial aviation.
Some of the best people, and some of the biggest douchebags
in the world, work in this business. Fortunately, there's always
karma to even things out. Eventually.

[Colonel Sanders]

A small point ...

When you start working at your first real job at
an FTU (or 702 or 703) you don't know if it's a
good one, or someplace that's batsh1t insane.

If it's got a bad vibe, ask around to see how
other people do it. Small outfits can sometimes
be completely nuts, and it is only after you have
moved on, that you will realize how whacky it was.

"You mean you aren't supposed to do instrument
approaches using only a handheld GPS?!"

No names mentioned. You know who you are.