Choosing a CFI

I have now taken two lessons (2.2 hours in the logbook, yea). The CFI I flew
with was just the guy who answered the phone when I first called to ask to
schedule my lesson. I like him and we have done fine. I want to fly with a
few others before I settle into an instructor who will be "mine". How soon
should I be settled? I don't want to have to redo a bunch of stuff. But I
hear of the importance of that student/instructor relationship. How critical
that will be to learning well?
My flight school has Flight Schedule Pro, so I can see online the schedules
of the CFIs and the planes available. It will be hard to get a consistant
instructor who will fit my schedule unless I schedule 2 weeks ahead. I don't
want to wait that long before I settle in. I plan to fly 2-3 times per week.

Thanks,
Andy

On 02/19/07 10:33, Andy Lutz wrote:
> I have now taken two lessons (2.2 hours in the logbook, yea). The CFI I flew
> with was just the guy who answered the phone when I first called to ask to
> schedule my lesson. I like him and we have done fine. I want to fly with a
> few others before I settle into an instructor who will be "mine". How soon
> should I be settled? I don't want to have to redo a bunch of stuff. But I
> hear of the importance of that student/instructor relationship. How critical
> that will be to learning well?
> My flight school has Flight Schedule Pro, so I can see online the schedules
> of the CFIs and the planes available. It will be hard to get a consistant
> instructor who will fit my schedule unless I schedule 2 weeks ahead. I don't
> want to wait that long before I settle in. I plan to fly 2-3 times per week.
>
> Thanks,
> Andy
>
>

If you like the instructor you've got, stick with him/her. There's some
benefit to getting other points of view when you're nearing the end of
your training, but in the beginning it's important to keep things
consistent.


--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

On Feb 19, 1:33 pm, "Andy Lutz" <cal...@> wrote:
> I have now taken two lessons (2.2 hours in the logbook, yea). The CFI I flew
> with was just the guy who answered the phone when I first called to ask to
> schedule my lesson. I like him and we have done fine. I want to fly with a
> few others before I settle into an instructor who will be "mine". How soon
> should I be settled? I don't want to have to redo a bunch of stuff. But I
> hear of the importance of that student/instructor relationship. How critical
> that will be to learning well?
> My flight school has Flight Schedule Pro, so I can see online the schedules
> of the CFIs and the planes available. It will be hard to get a consistant
> instructor who will fit my schedule unless I schedule 2 weeks ahead. I don't
> want to wait that long before I settle in. I plan to fly 2-3 times per week.
>
> Thanks,
> Andy


I would also second the other opinions that it is somewhat imporrtant
to stick to one instructor in the beginning.

If you like the first guy, just stay with him until you get a few
hours of experience. After some time you will be in a better position
to make an evaluation of whether you need to switch.

Evaluate your instructor based on his patiencem, enthusiasm and
willingness to help more than his experience level. For primary
training, a newly minted instructor is likely to do a better job than
a crusty old pilot.

On Feb 19, 10:33 am, "Andy Lutz" <cal...@> wrote:
> I have now taken two lessons (2.2 hours in the logbook, yea). The CFI I flew
> with was just the guy who answered the phone when I first called to ask to
> schedule my lesson. I like him and we have done fine. I want to fly with a
> few others before I settle into an instructor who will be "mine". How soon
> should I be settled? I don't want to have to redo a bunch of stuff. But I
> hear of the importance of that student/instructor relationship. How critical
> that will be to learning well?
> My flight school has Flight Schedule Pro, so I can see online the schedules
> of the CFIs and the planes available. It will be hard to get a consistant
> instructor who will fit my schedule unless I schedule 2 weeks ahead. I don't
> want to wait that long before I settle in. I plan to fly 2-3 times per week.
>
> Thanks,
> Andy

It really depends on the FBO. At the larger schools you will likely
show up for a lesson with Bill and Joe will be there instead. At the
smaller FBOs the CFIs tend to "own" their own students. Personally, I
always like to have my guys fly with other CFIs but I've found other
CFIs to be a bit protective of their guys.

-Robert, CFII

On Feb 19, 3:27 pm, "Andy Lutz" <cal...@> wrote:
> That is what I'm looking for. There is one CFI out at my school who is more
> life experienced. (I don't want to say old, because it isn't as far off as
> it used to be) I have over heard him tell stories from the war. I'm not sure
> which. I rode along as he gave a friend of mine a lesson. He was firm and
> instructive. Yet a very nice guy. I get the feeling he won't have a problem
> giving feedback. I'll find out Friday as I have a lesson planned with him.
>
> I am planning not every 2 weeks, but 2-3 times a week. I don't want to have
> to relearn and waste time and money.
> Thanks,
> Andy

The old guys has his pros and cons too. Its probably been 40 years
since he took his last checkride and may be not able to relate the
experience as well as the young guy. There really are benefits both
ways. Often times too, some of the old guys "stop learning" at some
point and will tell you everything you wanted to know about flying in
1970 but may not be able to set up a flight plan in a GPS. It just
depends. Don't count the young guy out too soon.

-Robert, CFII

"Bob Gardner" <bobmrg@> wrote in message
news:ZuOdneYbrcrOoUfYnZ2dnUVZ_o2vnZ2d@. ..
> Can't add much to what others have said. Jowever, as a regular visitor to
> these newsgroups, I've seen too many posts from students who apparently
> only know what their instructor tells them, with no outside study or
> references. Be a regular on Google, read as many on-line sources as you
> can find, and if your instructor tells you something that doesn't ring
> true, say "Where does it say that in writing?" Some instructors are great
> at passing on old wives tales, others teach only one way of doing things
> instead of teaching you how to use the various tools you have at your
> disposal.
>
> And be a regular visitor to this group.
>
> Bob Gardner

Thanks to all. I expect that I will be flying with my younger CFI. I have a
lesson scheduled with another with more experience right now. But that is
partly due to schedules. Openings available will have to be filled several
weeks in advance to get a regular 3 per week schedule. But at least I can
get back in the air sooner.

I am a regular lurker and sometime poster here. Have been for over a year.
AOPA Flight Training, got it, read cover to cover, love it. I have been into
the aviation community as much as a non-pilot can reasonably be. Thanks for
the advise to be real upfront and ask, ask, ask.