YouTube CFI

[eagle5]

You're a CFI. A student comes to you one day and says he wants to video his lessons so that he can post them online for all his friends to see.

 

How do you feel about this?

 

Would you be concerned that any mistakes you make would be on record for all the world to see and scrutinize?

 

What if you inadvertantly do something your not supposed to do?

 

Could what someone sees cost you a job some day?

 

Would you be concerned that if you say no, he'll find another CFI?

 

Thoughts?

Edited July 24, 2012 by eagle5

[Flying Pig]

I would say no. Im not interested in being his friends free online ground instructor. Obviously many other CFIs are cool with it, and thats fine. If I chose to be an internet CFI sensation, Ill do it myself. I offer a 20hr PPL ground school at the school I am working through 2x a year for about $100+ book and material, E6B, Chart, plotter. And most of the time over the year I collect expired charts and give them out so they can save $10. They can feel free to show up to that. Yes...... 20hrs for $100, I know huh....... So you cant say Im greedy! I usually end up with about 15-20 people one night a week for 3hrs. And I actually find most of the people arent really looking to become pilots. They are just interested in aviation and this is far as theyll ever be able to go.

[rotormandan]

No way. I don't want to be on you tube, myspace, facebook, etc. You never know who's watching and how they're going to interptret it. Whether you do something wrong or not, sometimes it doesn't always look the way it happened.

[eagle5]

I would say no. Im not interested in being his friends free online ground instructor. Obviously many other CFIs are cool with it, and thats fine. If I chose to be an internet CFI sensation, Ill do it myself. I offer a 20hr PPL ground school at the school I am working through 2x a year for about $100+ book and material, E6B, Chart, plotter. And most of the time over the year I collect expired charts and give them out so they can save $10. They can feel free to show up to that. Yes...... 20hrs for $100, I know huh....... So you cant say Im greedy! I usually end up with about 15-20 people one night a week for 3hrs. And I actually find most of the people arent really looking to become pilots. They are just interested in aviation and this is far as theyll ever be able to go.

 

I wasn't really asking about giving lessons online, but just one of your students wanting to document his experiences with you, so his friends could see what he's doing. I've seen a few of these, and thought it might be some new trend?,...what with those gopro cameras becoming so popular!

[Pohi]

I agree with the previous posts. There is a school (one that I know of and therefore probably several more) that record their flights for training purposes. The one that I know of had several cameras all synched together, as in one looking at the pilot (to see where the pilot was looking), another down at the controls, another at the instruments, and another outside. Of course, now with the GO Pro (or similar) it could be done with perhaps only one or two.

 

These recordings were then reviewed (if desired) after the flight to help the student see what they were doing and identify problems.

 

I think that's great for some training, especially for instrument training.

 

As far as then posting the video on YouTube, I wouldn't really want that. I could see perhaps some being ok, like autos or great footage of XC. But to post all the lessons, I would have an issue with. I'm all for sharing the joys of flying, but I draw the line at posting general primary training. It may sound cheesy, but I see it like the same way a director wouldnt want somebody to film practice for a broadway show and posting that on the Internet either.

 

As far as being concerned that the student would go to another CFI, that wouldn't bother me at all.

[S9coldfire]

Would he post the whole lesson or edit it down to a few cool shots? If it's the whole lesson I really doubt that anybody but his mom would be willing to sit through the whole thing anyway. But the majority of youtube videos are 2-4 minutes (most ppl can't post over 10 minutes without special permission from yt). Maybe you could just ask to review the edited video before he posts it? I would imagine that these kinds of videos would be a good advertisement tool that benefits the CFI.

[JCM5]

I am a student pilot and I've posted numerous videos flying with my two instructors, always with their permission. I initially began recording my flights so that I could go back and review them myself - a few of my good weather flights or specific maneuvers have been published, also with the permission of my CFI's.

 

I would think that a CFI should have enough confidence in their flying and teaching skills to not be worried about it, but with that said I also understand why some would prefer to keep things in the cockpit.

 

From my shoes you can look at it both ways - under certain circumstances, having things on video could be beneficial in the event of a mechanical failure, and if you're proficient maybe a potential employer would actually like to see how well you fly. On the other side of that argument are the people that have pilot errors documented or fly poorly enough to discourage a potential employer from hiring.

 

In the end, this is subjective. I use my discretion and the discretion of my CFI to decide what is and is not worthy of publishing.

[heloidaho]

Watching yourself make mistakes is a good learning method.

 

As far as posting to YouTube ... have you seen the comments on there? Man. You could have a perfect flight and you will still be vilified. I'll keep my ego away from the 12 year olds with keyboards, thank you very much.

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Each CFI is going to have a different take on this.

 

In my opinion I wouldn't put an entire lesson on YouTube. Unless, the intent of lesson was to do so. In otherwords, the lesson was designed and filmed with the intent of delivering a message to an group with whom you will not ba able to interact with at some point in the lesson.

 

Let's face it, there are all kinds of lessons on video out there. Just do a search on YouTube and you will be able to find videos that relate to PPL, Instrument training and much more. Then you have videos such as the "Surviving the Wire Enviornment" video.

 

I have no problem with someone posting something (short clip) of a flight they did.

[JCM5]

Watching yourself make mistakes is a good learning method.

 

As far as posting to YouTube ... have you seen the comments on there? Man. You could have a perfect flight and you will still be vilified. I'll keep my ego away from the 12 year olds with keyboards, thank you very much.

 

Certainly, but that plays a role in decision making in the first place. If you choose to make something public, especially on YouTube or some other public source, you're doing it with the expectations that people will have negative comments.

 

The internet was made for opinions and pornography, remember?

[ridethisbike]

Certainly, but that plays a role in decision making in the first place. If you choose to make something public, especially on YouTube or some other public source, you're doing it with the expectations that people will have negative comments.

 

The internet was made for opinions and pornography, remember?

 

Really? I thought it was for all the pictures of cats...

[CO423]

Watching yourself make mistakes is a good learning method.

 

As far as posting to YouTube ... have you seen the comments on there? Man. You could have a perfect flight and you will still be vilified. I'll keep my ego away from the 12 year olds with keyboards, thank you very much.

 

I agree. The comments from YouTube almost seem to be an automated negative comment machine. One comment could lead to disaster as far as drama goes. The job of a CFI is to instruct. The student should have zero distractions as far as filming goes, needless to say should have zero distractions period during instruction.

 

I have watched many flights on YouTube and it has been valuable. Some post from fort Wayne helicopters are awesome for starters, and is much appreciated from those who post their flights.

During instruction the student needs to be asking questions, and the instructor should be explaining certain topics that should be practiced and talked about, and I do not think it is a good idea to be posting lessons on YouTube. This is an elite profession that you all have chosen, let's keep it that way.

 

I do not see any issues with posting your videos on the web, unless you are concerned with privacy as I am when it comes to posting videos. I have no Facebook, this is my social life on the Internet.

Topics should be communicated about. You can defiantly leArn from mistakes filming your flights, but I personally would prefer talking about the flight and how you can improve verbally. Watching your own mistakes on film could lead to bad habits.

 

I am just a beginner student but this is my opinion. No filming if I am paying for the flight, I am learning and don't have time to mess with all of the go pro and cameras, these cameras take much time and money to achieve small goals. The time and focused energy should be purely on flight time, study, And prep. Just my opinion, hopefully some agree.

[JCM5]

I agree. The comments from YouTube almost seem to be an automated negative comment machine. One comment could lead to disaster as far as drama goes. The job of a CFI is to instruct. The student should have zero distractions as far as filming goes, needless to say should have zero distractions period during instruction.

 

I have watched many flights on YouTube and it has been valuable. Some post from fort Wayne helicopters are awesome for starters, and is much appreciated from those who post their flights.

During instruction the student needs to be asking questions, and the instructor should be explaining certain topics that should be practiced and talked about, and I do not think it is a good idea to be posting lessons on YouTube. This is an elite profession that you all have chosen, let's keep it that way.

 

I do not see any issues with posting your videos on the web, unless you are concerned with privacy as I am when it comes to posting videos. I have no Facebook, this is my social life on the Internet.

Topics should be communicated about. You can defiantly leArn from mistakes filming your flights, but I personally would prefer talking about the flight and how you can improve verbally. Watching your own mistakes on film could lead to bad habits.

 

I am just a beginner student but this is my opinion. No filming if I am paying for the flight, I am learning and don't have time to mess with all of the go pro and cameras, these cameras take much time and money to achieve small goals. The time and focused energy should be purely on flight time, study, And prep. Just my opinion, hopefully some agree.

 

Filming a flight with my GoPro is no more of a distraction that plugging my headset in - literally. I'm sensing a generation gap here, but it's surely not a distraction for myself or my CFI and I have a hard time understanding how seeing my mistakes could promote bad habbits. If anything I should become more aware of them and be able to correct them effectively.

 

As far as keeping the profession "among the elite", let's keep in mind that somebody who is new to this thing isn't going to benefit from watching a couple clips on YouTube. You might get an idea of what an instructor flight is like, but becoming a helicopter pilot takes what it takes, and I see little to no advantage for anyone aspiring to get their ratings just by watching me do a couple autos. That's not how this works.

[Rockfinder]

Ok, so I'm a student pilot, and I've shot video while flying; using one of those helmet cams (Contour HD) which I retrofitted to fit on my hat (and combat helmet, and bicycle). My CFI doesn't have an issue with it, but I sort of have my own take on what I should post;

 

- I try to never show my instructor (just for privacy)

- We are flying in an R-22 with doors off, so the camera only records engine/transmission/wind noise, so conversations aren't an issue

- Out of an entire flight, (1.0-1.5), I'll edit it down to the most visually interesting 2-6 minutes, while I'm on the controls (like my first attempts at hovering) or really dramatic views.

- I only post video on Facebook, where I can control who sees it (only my friends), once again, privacy and I feel that YouTube IS generally very negative.

 

Basically, I want my people to see a little of what I see, without being part of (or aware of) the lesson. I feel this is OK, and have to issue with it. As far as distraction goes, I push two buttons right after I fasten the seat belt and forget about the camera until I let go of the rotor brake at the end ... just my .02 cents.

 

Craig

[JCM5]

Ok, so I'm a student pilot, and I've shot video while flying; using one of those helmet cams (Contour HD) which I retrofitted to fit on my hat (and combat helmet, and bicycle). My CFI doesn't have an issue with it, but I sort of have my own take on what I should post;

 

- I try to never show my instructor (just for privacy)

- We are flying in an R-22 with doors off, so the camera only records engine/transmission/wind noise, so conversations aren't an issue

- Out of an entire flight, (1.0-1.5), I'll edit it down to the most visually interesting 2-6 minutes, while I'm on the controls (like my first attempts at hovering) or really dramatic views.

- I only post video on Facebook, where I can control who sees it (only my friends), once again, privacy and I feel that YouTube IS generally very negative.

 

Basically, I want my people to see a little of what I see, without being part of (or aware of) the lesson. I feel this is OK, and have to issue with it. As far as distraction goes, I push two buttons right after I fasten the seat belt and forget about the camera until I let go of the rotor brake at the end ... just my .02 cents.

 

Craig

 

^ This.

[Pohi]

Posting videos online is the new career Darwinism. It can be nice to get some of the people out of the pool :-)

 

For that matter, the attempt at getting a cool video to post and get "likes" can also be the standard form of Darwinism.

 

Not saying you will be that pilot who crashes because they want great footage and do something retarded, but be careful.

 

IMHO, the focus should be on training and not on posting stuff on Facebook after the flight to show off (or share) to your friends.

 

[SBuzzkill]

I'd have no problem with it.

[Wally]

No way.

 

That's not in my job description or professional purview. Tape the flight and instruction given, for critique or education, no problem. Send a copy to the FAA , Interpol, or UNCLE if you wish.

 

Performance and pubic display is another thing entirely. Bring me a script, pay me to perform that script, direct my acting, at a negotiated price. Separate professions.

[aeroscout]

More than a few accidents have occurred as a direct result of photography, and videography in the cockpit. So be careful. Brief and plan everything thoroughly beforehand.

[Parafiddle]

I'll take a slightly different approach to this subject. What happens when you (or the CFI), make some kind of mistake (or what looks like a mistake, at least) while flying, and it is captured on film, and then posted for all the world to see? How will you or your instructor feel when somebody comes knocking on your door (FAA rep to issue a violation, lawyer that says you were flying recklessly, etc.).

 

Video is a powerful tool, especially in a courtroom. I'm not a big fan of having every detail of my life out there in cyberspace. That includes how I fly. The same could be said for having a camera mounted in your car, like law enforcement. Do I exceed the speed limit once in a while? Yes, but that doesn't mean I always speed or drive recklessly. Well, of course you wouldn't post a video of yourself speeding on the Internet (like the the guy doing 180+ mph and weaving through traffic on a motorcycle), right? Of course not! At least you wouldn't do it intentionally.

 

However, you might inadvertently climb into controlled airspace while trying to transit under the shelf of the Class B, or you flew a little too low or that national monument or sporting event during a big game. Maybe you weren't even aware that it happened, but now it is recorded and out on the Internet for all the world to see (and carefully review). Why put yourself in that situation? There are enough things I have to worry about while flying - I don't need to concern myself with what somebody else might find in my video (whether it is there or not). Even if I didn't do anything wrong, I might still have to defend myself in court or before the FAA. Not worth the hassle.

[JCM5]

You realize that these videos aren't streaming live to the national broadcast channel, right?

[SBuzzkill]

Didn't realize airspace showed up on video

[heligirl03]

Didn't realize airspace showed up on video

 

I imagine that the camera is aimed to include the panel on training flights. A moving map GPS combined with an altimeter - sure it would show airspace.

[Parafiddle]

Correct HG03. It could also be much simpler, as in recognizing the location the video was taken and looking at the altimeter. If you are training in a certain area, it is likely others (including a DPE) has flown their with students or is familiar with the location.

[SBuzzkill]

Eh, I wouldn't be worried about that.

Edited July 27, 2012 by SBuzzkill