[TonyC]

There seems to be this mentality that once one obtains a Private Pilot Certificate, he must progress to Instruct if he wants to become a professional pilot. Those that circumvent the CFI / CFII "career path" to build hours in any of dozens of other ways are frowned upon for their choice, even criticized for being somehow inferior. Thus, we have a mulititude of pilots trying to earn their way and build hours doing something they are totally unfit to do - - teach.


Teaching requires both aptitude and desire, and I'm not so sure obtaining the CFI requires either. Sure, there is a knowledge test, and there is a flight test, and certainly particular skills are required to pass the tests. But as far as the ability to teach - - well, that's debatable.


I can't think of a good solution to what I perceive as a problem. Perhaps I'm in the minority in thinking it IS a problem. Perhaps there is no workable solution. Perhaps all I can do is prompt personal, thougthful introspection. If you're instructing because you're trying to build hours and/or make money (sorry for the bad pun there) and you don't like teaching - - I encourage you to quit. Your bad attitude WILL permeate through everything you do, and it will be passed on to fledgling aviators who deserve better. If you're learning from an instructor who obviously does not have his heart in TEACHING the art of flying, I encourage you to dump him. Your money is more valuable than to throw away on someone who doesn't have his heart in the right place. Maybe it's a tougher call - - he wants to teach, but he just can't. Make the tough call, and save both him and you the grief. Move on. Find another instructor, let him find a better suited job.


As long as we push brand new pilots to become the resident experts on all things aviation, we'll continue to deal with instructors who should not be instructing.



JMHO




.