A tremendous responsibility?

C310_pilot · February 21st, 2006, 19:22

Has anyone ever wondered if they earned / deserved their rating? I was issued my initial CFI-MEL Friday and today I passed my CFII and yet I have this empty feeling inside of me. What happened to excitement I felt when I was issued my PPL? At this point I feel my skills are inadequate and I realize I still have a tremendous amount to learn. I almost feel I would be doing someone an injustice to take them on as a student. I am sure the FAA just doesn’t pencil whip ratings but I can’t help but feeling sub par right now. I wonder if the weight of the responsibility is humbling me.

JEP · February 21st, 2006, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by C310_pilot

Has anyone ever wondered if they earned / deserved their rating? I was issued my initial CFI-MEL Friday and today I passed my CFII and yet I have this empty feeling inside of me. What happened to excitement I felt when I was issued my PPL? At this point I feel my skills are inadequate and I realize I still have a tremendous amount to learn. I almost feel I would be doing someone an injustice to take them on as a student. I am sure the FAA just doesn’t pencil whip ratings but I can’t help but feeling sub par right now. I wonder if the weight of the responsibility is humbling me.

It's probably that now the real work begins. You'll be taking people that have never flown and helping them through the process. Like they say, (whomever they are

). It's a License to Learn.

Congrats !

CRJDriver · February 21st, 2006, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by C310_pilot

Has anyone ever wondered if they earned / deserved their rating? I was issued my initial CFI-MEL Friday and today I passed my CFII and yet I have this empty feeling inside of me. What happened to excitement I felt when I was issued my PPL? At this point I feel my skills are inadequate and I realize I still have a tremendous amount to learn. I almost feel I would be doing someone an injustice to take them on as a student. I am sure the FAA just doesn’t pencil whip ratings but I can’t help but feeling sub par right now. I wonder if the weight of the responsibility is humbling me.

First off, congratulations! I know what you mean, I felt the same way when I got my CFI ratings. Remember! Nobody can teach you to be a flight instructor, it all comes with experience.

meritflyer · February 21st, 2006, 20:40

Congrats on your ratings. It really is a great accomplishment. I have flown with CFIs that couldnt fly with the auto pilot on and I have flown with those who can fly with their eyes closed.

Experience, experience, experience.

Sprint100 · February 21st, 2006, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by C310_pilot

Has anyone ever wondered if they earned / deserved their rating? I was issued my initial CFI-MEL Friday and today I passed my CFII and yet I have this empty feeling inside of me. What happened to excitement I felt when I was issued my PPL? At this point I feel my skills are inadequate and I realize I still have a tremendous amount to learn. I almost feel I would be doing someone an injustice to take them on as a student. I am sure the FAA just doesn’t pencil whip ratings but I can’t help but feeling sub par right now. I wonder if the weight of the responsibility is humbling me.

After all that hard work it is probably more of a feeling of relief that its over and it's about time!!!!!!!!!!

Red5xwingdriver · February 22nd, 2006, 15:36

Congrats! That feeling that you describe is the realization that now you will be responsible, REALLY responsible for teaching others to be safe and knowledgeable pilots. I felt the same way myself, but as you gain experience, that feeling should subside, at least a little. Be proud, you are no longer a padawan, but a full fledged JEDI!!!But your responsiblity will be continuing to LEARN as much as you can, and as a previous poster wrote...it's a license to learn.

__________________________________
If the blue side is down, the green side is up, and the altimeter is counting down from 200 feet.......there is something VERY wrong!

Kaiser Sose · February 22nd, 2006, 19:33

Exactly. Just use the force and you and your students will be fine.

Oh, and make sure that they don't pull the mixture instead of the throttle when abeam. Also practice saying "Right Rudder" and "FLARE!!"
That and the force and you'll do great.

mtsu_av8er · February 23rd, 2006, 07:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser Sose

Oh, and make sure that they don't pull the mixture instead of the throttle when abeam.

Oh, it'll happen . . .

Seriously, good job. That feeling is natural, and will always be there a little bit. However, as you get more experience you'll feel better.

It's funny that yous are joking about being Jedi - at my flight school, a couple of us joke around about being Jedi, and I call a couple of my very promising students "Padawan Learners"!! LOL

bike21 · February 23rd, 2006, 09:47

It is good to have that feeling, that shows you are truly concerned for your students welfare (and your own!). You will do just fine, as everyone else said we have all felt that way too. Those who are the 'know-it-all' types are the ones who have issues.

Have fun and enjoy the experience!

Windchill · February 23rd, 2006, 10:03

Quote:

I am sure the FAA just doesn’t pencil whip ratings but I can’t help but feeling sub par right now.

Let's skip the sugar-coating and allow me to be frank:

"You're right to be suspicous! .......

..... I shagged her, I shagged her rotten!"

What I'm trying to say is your feelings follow the train of thought -- "Those who can't, teach"

Okay, those were to lighten the atmosphere in an attempt to provide laughter.

In all seriousness, the feelings you have are natural. All of a sudden you realize the weight/seriousness your certificates and ratings now provide you. It's uncharted territory so you're a little nervous.

Think of it like this ... the FAA was your flight instructor and you were a private pilot student ... while you weren't sure you were ready to solo or take the checkride ... the FAA was confident you could handle the situation and were prepared to take on a new challenge.

Best of luck ... just give it time and experience to help calm the anxiety.

SeanD · February 23rd, 2006, 13:14

Congrads 1st of all and your from Richmond. I lived there for a 4 years ( the fan ) and go back all the time to visit friends. I love RVA

notawannabee · February 23rd, 2006, 13:56

Being humble will serve you well in all aspects of life , especially aviation. You are probably one of the safest pilots out there.

desertdog71 · February 24th, 2006, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser Sose

Also practice saying "Right Rudder" and "FLARE!!"

I hear that quite often myself.

hattrick · February 24th, 2006, 16:33

yeah i think we all felt that way a little after the cfi stuff. that rating really taught me that i didnt know a d*mn thing. well hardly anything. with all that you study you really become aware of how much there is to know and now you really hae to know it to teach. dont worry though confidence comes with time, and dont be afraid to admit you dont know something but be sure to look it up later.

February 21st, 2006, 19:22	#1
C310_pilot Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 71	A tremendous responsibility? Has anyone ever wondered if they earned / deserved their rating? I was issued my initial CFI-MEL Friday and today I passed my CFII and yet I have this empty feeling inside of me. What happened to excitement I felt when I was issued my PPL? At this point I feel my skills are inadequate and I realize I still have a tremendous amount to learn. I almost feel I would be doing someone an injustice to take them on as a student. I am sure the FAA just doesn’t pencil whip ratings but I can’t help but feeling sub par right now. I wonder if the weight of the responsibility is humbling me.

February 21st, 2006, 20:40	#4
meritflyer Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Winchestertonfieldville Posts: 6,747	Congrats on your ratings. It really is a great accomplishment. I have flown with CFIs that couldnt fly with the auto pilot on and I have flown with those who can fly with their eyes closed. Experience, experience, experience. __________________ The simplest answer tends to be correct.

February 22nd, 2006, 19:33	#7
Kaiser Sose Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in the tent by the hangar Posts: 11	Exactly. Just use the force and you and your students will be fine. Oh, and make sure that they don't pull the mixture instead of the throttle when abeam. Also practice saying "Right Rudder" and "FLARE!!" That and the force and you'll do great. __________________ "I mean like orca fat..."

February 23rd, 2006, 09:47	#9
bike21 Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: People's Republic of Boulder Posts: 2,293	It is good to have that feeling, that shows you are truly concerned for your students welfare (and your own!). You will do just fine, as everyone else said we have all felt that way too. Those who are the 'know-it-all' types are the ones who have issues. Have fun and enjoy the experience! __________________ Free SAPA! (and Tibet) ____________________ www.glenntilton.com

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February 22nd, 2006, 15:36	#6
Red5xwingdriver Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY BABY! Posts: 56	Congrats! That feeling that you describe is the realization that now you will be responsible, REALLY responsible for teaching others to be safe and knowledgeable pilots. I felt the same way myself, but as you gain experience, that feeling should subside, at least a little. Be proud, you are no longer a padawan, but a full fledged JEDI!!!But your responsiblity will be continuing to LEARN as much as you can, and as a previous poster wrote...it's a license to learn. __________________________________ If the blue side is down, the green side is up, and the altimeter is counting down from 200 feet.......there is something VERY wrong!

February 23rd, 2006, 13:14	#11
SeanD Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KLAS Posts: 3,601	Congrads 1st of all and your from Richmond. I lived there for a 4 years ( the fan ) and go back all the time to visit friends. I love RVA

February 23rd, 2006, 13:56	#12
notawannabee Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 217	Being humble will serve you well in all aspects of life , especially aviation. You are probably one of the safest pilots out there.

February 24th, 2006, 16:33	#14
hattrick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: farther north than the rest of you Posts: 313	yeah i think we all felt that way a little after the cfi stuff. that rating really taught me that i didnt know a d*mn thing. well hardly anything. with all that you study you really become aware of how much there is to know and now you really hae to know it to teach. dont worry though confidence comes with time, and dont be afraid to admit you dont know something but be sure to look it up later.