What is the hardest part about becoming a CFII ?

[OhhAndy]

I keep hearing how hard it is to become a CFII, what about the process is difficult " going from zero time to CFII" and what is the general amount of time a person can complete it if Schooling full time?

Edited August 20, 2007 by OhhAndy

[Gomer Pylot]

The most difficult part is parting with all that money.

[OhhAndy]

The most difficult part is parting with all that money.

Agreed, I was thinking about the school its self Ie, flying, reading, studying, ground school, practical exams etc.

[joker]

Money aside:

 

OhhAndy,

 

The road to CFI can be fun. However there are always going to be hurdles to overcome, and plateaus to cross. The hardest part is keeping your spirits up when things go slow or when you have a setback.

 

As well as caring for your own mind and well-being, you might have to also take notice of those around you. Close family who may be feeling the financial sacrifice, parents who think you're wasting your time, friends who hear of a helicopter crash and immediately think it could be you.

 

So the hard part is psychological. The attitude you start with will have great bearing on how you progress. So many students cannot cope with the fact that their training starts to slow down. Maybe their friends all solo before them. Or they get caught up with one skill (autos or slopes). Maybe they only budgeted for XX hours and they can see that they are going to need YY more hours. All of these stressess are causes for people getting further behind their 'ballgame' and eventually dropping out. Make it easy for yourself to succeed, by giving yourself a wide berth and setting yourself more than reasonable targets.

 

As an instructor, I think stress is the number 1 reason for underperformance by students. Not aircraft, general ability, instructor competence - EXTERNAL STRESS. Cut that out, and you'll have a much easier time.

 

During your learning you will have numerous checks. Don't let these get to you as some do. Remember, every pilot in the world has done checkrides and tests. It will stay with you all through your life. So get used to managing these now. I distinctly remember doing a stage check for a student who was terrible. His instructor (who I trusted) promised me that he was competent, and must have just 'cracked' under the pressure of being checked. So I asked him to do his second stage check with another instructor. Same thing happened - he cracked up. So on the third one, I eventually agreed that by accumulation I would pass his stage check. Needless to say he failed his checkride! I fly with grown men with thousands of hours who still shake like jelly before a check. It never bothered me that much. If I'm good enough, I'll pass.

 

From a pratical learning point of view, by the time you are Commercial rated, you should have the competency to become CFI.

 

The difficulty in the transition from CPL to CFI is simply becoming 'a teacher'. The CFI has a multiple roles - demonstrator / modeller of good practice / shrink! / accountant / etc..etc... while always and above all maintaining a safe learning environment. Learning how to fulfil those roles at the same time can be a challenge - indeed some instructors still haven't got it.

 

Lastly, going back full circle, stress creeps in towards the end of your training as you start to think about getting a job. You've spent all that money, and getting that first paycheck seems so difficult. Again, try to plan for that time. Budget for some timeout. Keep ear to the ground early.

 

Make sure you increase your chances of getting employed by realising that your training is one long interview. From DAY 1 to your CFI checkride, someone is watching you, knowing you. This is particularly so if you want to get hired by the school at which you train.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Joker

Edited August 20, 2007 by joker

[OhhAndy]

Money aside:

 

OhhAndy,

 

The road to CFI can be fun. However there are always going to be hurdles to overcome, and plateaus to cross. The hardest part is keeping your spirits up when things go slow or when you have a setback.

 

As well as caring for your own mind and well-being, you might have to also take notice of those around you. Close family who may be feeling the financial sacrifice, parents who think you're wasting your time, friends who hear of a helicopter crash and immediately think it could be you.

 

So the hard part is psychological. The attitude you start with will have great bearing on how you progress. So many students cannot cope with the fact that their training starts to slow down. Maybe their friends all solo before them. Or they get caught up with one skill (autos or slopes). Maybe they only budgeted for XX hours and they can see that they are going to need YY more hours. All of these stressess are causes for people getting further behind their 'ballgame' and eventually dropping out. Make it easy for yourself to succeed, by giving yourself a wide berth and setting yourself more than reasonable targets.

 

As an instructor, I think stress is the number 1 reason for underperformance by students. Not aircraft, general ability, instructor competence - EXTERNAL STRESS. Cut that out, and you'll have a much easier time.

 

During your learning you will have numerous checks. Don't let these get to you as some do. Remember, every pilot in the world has done checkrides and tests. It will stay with you all through your life. So get used to managing these now. I distinctly remember doing a stage check for a student who was terrible. His instructor (who I trusted) promised me that he was competent, and must have just 'cracked' under the pressure of being checked. So I asked him to do his second stage check with another instructor. Same thing happened - he cracked up. So on the third one, I eventually agreed that by accumulation I would pass his stage check. Needless to say he failed his checkride! I fly with grown men with thousands of hours who still shake like jelly before a check. It never bothered me that much. If I'm good enough, I'll pass.

 

From a pratical learning point of view, by the time you are Commercial rated, you should have the competency to become CFI.

 

The difficulty in the transition from CPL to CFI is simply becoming 'a teacher'. The CFI has a multiple roles - demonstrator / modeller of good practice / shrink! / accountant / etc..etc... while always and above all maintaining a safe learning environment. Learning how to fulfil those roles at the same time can be a challenge - indeed some instructors still haven't got it.

 

Lastly, going back full circle, stress creeps in towards the end of your training as you start to think about getting a job. You've spent all that money, and getting that first paycheck seems so difficult. Again, try to plan for that time. Budget for some timeout. Keep ear to the ground early.

 

Make sure you increase your chances of getting employed by realising that your training is one long interview. From DAY 1 to your CFI checkride, someone is watching you, knowing you. This is particularly so if you want to get hired by the school at which you train.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Joker

Thankyou for taking the time to give me a really good Idea of what the potential problems may be, I have a very basic understanding of what you guys do, but with posts like this, I am learning. Thanks!

[volition]

The little pay your going to get when your done!!!

[rick1128]

Andy, just to confirm you are asking about Flight Instructor Instrument (H)? In the last year I have done both courses. The hardest I found was getting comfortable enough doing full down autos. It varies from applicant to applicant. Some find it difficult to talk and fly at the same time. One thing you need to do is start working on your CFI book. It needs to cover the items required in the PTS's, manuvers, x-country, instruments, regs, sign-offs, etc. How complete you make it is up to you.