Prepare From The Start

[Theotokos]

Hello all,

In saying this, I do not mean to sound like a know it all because truely, as Socrates demonstrates, I, as a student pilot cannot claim to be wiser than a CFI when it comes to his field, just as I cannot claim to be wiser than a doctor in the field of medicine. However, I do feel that I can anticipate being a CFI and this is why I speak thus. Now that my apology is over, I digress.

Maybe many of you did this or are planning on doing this--start thinking about how you will teach as a CFI from day one of your private pilot training.

As you learn things, whether through the way your CFI showed you or kind of on your own, remember those ways, because to be a successful CFI and to keep your student safe, you have to be a good teacher. You by no means have to be the best, as teaching is not everyones thing, however CFIs have an obligation to teach their student and make sure they understand it. I do not want to become a CFI one day and then not know how to teach my student. I actually have worried about this. The way you do this is think, for example, "I feel Method X worked best for me, therefore I will teach my student with Method X." Yes, perhaps Method X will not be best for him, but at least if you have the idea of how to teach him, you will not make him feel totally confused--that is why I am so grateful I have not had CFIs that cannot teach, because that just makes a learners life hell.

Again, I am not trying to sound wise or know it all.

I know some non-CFIs browse through here from time to time, and I thought this place most apt to speak of this. Maybe many of you do this already, but I feel it is good advice for those who do not. I do fear not being able to be a good teacher for a student, and I am sure many others do too.

Rant over.

[flyguy]

The fact that you learn from your mistakes is very true when it comes to teaching. The things that I struggled the most with as a student, are the things that I can teach best. The reason is that I know what finally worked for me, and how I finally came to understand it, and I can fastforward and explain it that way from the start with my students. I think it is good that you are thinking how you will teach something. Paying attention to what works for you now, will help out a lot when you get to that level. Good Job!