I need some CFI help!!

[Lima_Charlie]

So I am getting pretty close to finishing up my initial CFI, yet I am not feeling very confident about my CFI abilities. I can fly the manuevers and what not quite well, however when it comes to explaining the "how and why" I have some difficulty.

What can I do to help myself be better prepared?? Got any ideas that you care to share??

Many Thanks,

LC

[rausda27]

LC,
If you haven't done so already, write your own briefs on each maneuver. This forces you to research the topic yourself and then organize it into a logical brief.

Another thing you can do is ask a friend, perhaps someone who has less ratings and have them sit in on your briefs. I have found that I learn more form my students from the questions they ask than any book. If you dont understand the topic, it will become apparent rather quickly to an inquisitive student, thus resulting a bit of embarassment on your part.

If you feel a little shaky on the how and why, perhaps you should beef up your own fundamental knowledge. Review the Airplane FLying handbook, re-read your aerodynamic notes and break each manuever up into smaller sections. You will find that with most maneuvers, the "why" directly relates to a fundamental aerodynamic principle, so having a good solid foundation yourself will allow you to better explain things to your students. Being a CFI forces you to break away from the rote memorization of "how" you fly the maneuver and requires that you learn "why" you fly it or "why" the airplane does what it does during the maneuver.

Good luck with your training, and remember becoming a CFI doesn't mean that you stop learning, the process contiues exponetially once yous start flying with real students.