When to change Flight Instructors
As in any relationship, communication is key to resolving problems. If you’re considering leaving your flight instructor for another, then there is obviously a problem. For example, if your instructor is too hard on you, let them know how you feel. This will usually resolve the problem. Sometimes instructors get comfortable with their students and think that just because they can talk and joke with their students that their students will understand them as well as their friends do. They then become relaxed to the point of getting harder on their student as if they are close friends, letting their professional guard down. I’ve seen it with many instructors and have done it myself. Sometimes there’s truly a friend connection but other times the students take offense to it.
When a student takes offense to it, they usually just leave. The instructor is sitting there totally confused and wondering what happened, thinking how well they got along and feeling betrayed after getting along so well. I can say from my perspective that if I knew I was offending someone, I would feel terrible. I would want my students to communicate any feelings with me right away so I can be sure they are happy. If you’re a student who feels mistreated in any way, just talk to your instructor about how you feel. If they continue, then leave. If they stop for awhile and then all of a sudden start again, it could be because they are feeling comfortable around you after having flown with you for several lessons and really care about how you are doing and are just being too passionate about it. No instructor wants to hurt or offend anyone. We became an instructor to help people, not hurt them. Sometimes you may just want to remind them again that something is offending you. Why leave on a bad note if something could have been resolved with a simple conversation. If it continues, then of course you should leave.
If you’re having problems learning to fly
There are always problems when it comes to learning to fly. No one gets it perfect every time and everyone has problems with some part of learning to fly. As a flight instructor, if you’ve tried everything you can think of to teach someone to do a flight maneuver and they are still having problems, don’t be afraid to let them fly with another flight instructor to see if they can think of something you may have missed. You’re not giving up your student, you are just letting another CFI see if they can figure out the problem.
Many students don’t realize how much is involved in learning to fly and quickly become overwhelmed. When they do, they struggle to advanced and instead of understanding that it is a normal part of learning to fly, they quit (thinking that it is too hard and they will never be able to learn) or blame their instructor and change instructors. If you are a flight student and are getting frustrated, please understand that it is normal and it will pass. Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t be so quick to blame the instructor. Give it time and understand that it is normal. Some flight students take long and some catch on fast. Everyone learns at their own pace.
Your flight instructor is not prepared
If your flight instructor is not prepared and doesn’t seem to know what they are talking about, then leave right away. You want someone that knows what they are doing to help you become the best pilot you can be. Not every flight instructor knows every answer to every question but if they don’t know the answers to many questions, it’s time to leave. My personal focus is on safety and knowledge. I want my students to have the ability to handle anything that comes their way.
I’m a believer that being honest, open and understanding will solve most of these issues but if one person isn’t then it creates an uncomfortable situation that can be easily avoided. If you have a particular situation that you don’t know how to handle, either as a student or an instructor, send me an email and I’d be happy to help in any way I can.
Fly safe!
Joe
Hi Joe,I am presently taking flying lessons at an aviation school.I am having problems with positive airplane control,and then the maneuvers.My instructor is super good,but I find myself freezing at the controls when it’s time to perform the maneuvers even though I know them and can write them down on the ground.What solution do you have for me.Boris
Boris
It’s easier to write them down and repeat the process than it is to actually perform them because you are explaining one thing at a time. There is a lot more happening in the plane and you are doing more than one thing at once. You need to take a step backwards and make sure you can do each part of the task separately first.
For example, if you lose altitude while setting up for a stall, then practice holding altitude with different power settings. If you gain altitude while adding flaps, then practice adding flaps while holding altitude. If you are weak in any of the steps required for a maneuver, then it will be harder to maintain control.
Without flying with you and seeing exactly where the problem is, I think this would be the best place to start. Know the steps to set up, know exactly when to input those steps and know how to maintain control during each one of those steps and it should work out. Next time you do a maneuver, pay attention to when you start losing control and start there.
I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes.
Joe
My instructor couldn’t allow me solo since he said it’s am not listening the noisy/busy airport radio. I am about 42hrs but still no solo hint yet. It’s touching my moral and my confidence is decreasing. I told him many times. He always rush to fill out his log book than my ptr. What shall I do. Shall I change instructor? I doing for RPP.
If you are feeling rushed and that your instructor is not taking time to explains things in a way that will help you, then you should change instructors.
Good luck to you!
Hi Joe,
I just started my ppl training…5 lessons. I was assigned my flight instructor by the flight school. I’m thinking about switching instructors but I’m also torn about the decision. Problems that I see…1. Communications is somewhat poor. My instructor is a man of few words..which inadvertently causes me to freeze up a bit or hesitate in asking questions. I don’t think this is something he can change but more that this is just his personality. 2. Can’t imagine doing something like cross country flights with him. He is a bit “robotic” 3. He doesn’t give much positive feedback…I’m not sure if it’s me doing a poor job or him not being experienced in teaching.
His strengths that I like..1. He is very professional and I think probably is a very good pilot with good technique and high precision. 2. When I do ask questions, he does answer all of them clearly. 3. I do feel like he is paying attention to the way I fly and understands my weaknesses. 4. He follows the syllabus and it’s clear to me what we are doing…he doesn’t overwhelm me with information but at the same time, I wonder if I am missing information because he doesn’t talk much.
Would love your advice. Also, I’m a woman..not sure if this affects him somehow or that my needs as a student is different than what he is use to.
Hi Linda
It sounds like all his positives are really good things. I would suggest that you tell him what you are feeling. Tell him how happy you are with everything but you’re the type of person that wants more feedback. Let him know that when he is silent, it makes you uncomfortable because you’re not sure of how you are doing. Instructors should try to adapt to learning styles that fit their students and it doesn’t seem like he would have a problem talking a little more to help you out. Also, don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. You are there to learn and if there is something you want to know then you should ask. Most problems between an instructor and student are caused my misunderstandings or lack of communication so say what is on your mind so you can both get to know and understand each other a little better.
I hope this helps!
Hi Joe,
I have now been flying for month in flight school. And only fly three times a week so I have flown about 12 times already.I am currently still in ground school and I came in with 0 hours of time I knew nothing about flying. There are many things I do not admire about my instructor. One is that he is very impatient and does not like to remind things all over again he says that I should know what to do already. Two, he has already snapped his fingers at me and I really did not appreciate that. Three he kind of raises his voice at me and I can tell what he is thinking. Four my radio calls are very poor and he does not like it when I don’t know what to say. I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed and frustrated because I am assuring all this money and don’t know if i should continue flying every time my instructor gets upset I lose confidence and my mind goes blank. Maybe this is not for me. I would appreciate the advice you can proportionate me with.
Hi Omar
Have you spoken to him about how you feel? My suggestion is to at least tell him how you feel. If he does not change the things that bother you and make you feel better about learning then I would look for another instructor. Make sure to request someone that is very patient. Some people want a strict instructor that doesn’t sugar coat things, but that type of instructor is not for everyone.
Let me know how it goes!
Joe;
I have some issues with an instructor that I generally really like but some things are building.. He gives me no advance notice of what the next lesson will require. He seems to be deciding when I walk into the office.. I’m so far ahead in the syllabus from where we are in flight training that I’ve quit studying for awhile.. My major concern is his evaluation of me to be observationally aware if there is an issue in flight that I need to correct. A recent example on cross to final I was at 800-900 feet at 1/2 mile from the airport. My nose was pointed down to lose altitude and I probably was 50-75 lower than I wanted to be as indicated by the Vasi lights. He instructed me to add power which I did and we executed a normal landing. During the post-flight debrief he claimed he could see the Vasi lights through some trees that lay on the flight path.. Those trees are at best 100-150 feet tall. There is no way I was at 150 ft. or lower on approach. No way.. He now claims he has “concerns” about my ability to perceive flight dangers.. My instructor has been flying for 30+ years and has thousands of hours of flight time. Up until recently we have had no issues..I plan to address my concerns with him personally. I would never go around him to management. Yet here I am a student pilot with 50 hours telling him what he thought he saw was wrong.. Is an instructor who has concerns about a student so critical the relationship can’t be mended? Thank you..
I think you guys need to sit down and have a talk. Tell him exactly how you feel about having no direction, not knowing what’s next, etc. Tell him you’d like more direction so you are not left wondering what will be next. I personally developed my own outline to solve the problems you are talking about and haven’t had any problems since. It would be perfect for your situation but every instructor has their way of doing things. As for the flying part, if he sees something that you don’t during the flight, ask him to verbalize it to you as it’s happening so you can relate to what he is seeing better. It’s possible you are both referring to 2 different points in time. Let me know how it goes!