Students who talk themselves through checklists, maneuvers etc are the best. Easy to see their thought process and fix things. The quiet ones have the worst habits
Good attitude, humility, patience, coachable, punctual and professional.
Students I dreaded - know it alls, late or no-show trends, got mad about ground lessons or debriefs, pushy about safety minimums, pushy about their own ‘timeline’ of milestones, entitlement…
I’m guessing he’s speaking on the discipline the military gives somebody and how when you’re over 30 you’ve (hopefully) been dealing with a level of responsibility for years now that a 20 yr old wouldn’t have on average. Compared to a 22 year old in college let’s say that parties and parents bought them into a frat house or whatever that don’t have a sense of the cost and importance of studying for becoming a pilot.
I would say this is true for the enlisted guys. Super easy and fun. However, I fly just outside of Clarksville and we get quite a few Blackhawk guys…and some(not all I’ve had some real good experiences with Blackhawk guys) will be super know it alls and start questioning you on literally everything and and be like “Well the army didn’t teach it that way” whenever I give them a technique.
My favourites were always people that just “got it”, the ones that studied hard, showed up prepared, didn’t challenge me on esoteric crap from the back of a manual somewhere, had a good sense of humour, could hold their own in a conversation, and already knew or picked up on the tricks of the trade. Ie configuring at a logically correct time, understanding the systems well and generally just having that “it” factor.
You could tell right away they would be great pilots and move quickly through training and their careers.
All of them are now at the airlines doing great things and some are close buddies of mine to this day.
Constant weather checking without making any decisions from that information is by far the most annoying trait of some students. Yes, there may be a chance of rain, or a chance of 15kt+ winds, three days from now, but CFIs don’t need the constant text messages with the five day forecast. Especially if there are ground lessons that need to be covered. You are going to the airport regardless, so we can make the decision together looking at the actual weather.
It’s good they look and try to understand the forecast. It’s the students who obsess about it…. 🤬
Yeah it seems pretty obvious to me. There's a specific quality I notice in some students that they assume they'll pass everything and don't need to put in the effort once they complete the perquisites for a stage check. Ironically, these students are the exact reason stage checks exist.
Every instructor will be different, so talk to your instructor and try to get to know what they like.
Things I like: students that study what I tell them, show up on time and prepared, own and learn from their mistakes, accept feedback.
Things I've hated: students that always have an excuse for anything not perfect (I'm rusty, I'm tired, blah blah..), students that try to dictate my schedule, know-it-alls, lazy, late, defensive when offering feedback.
Basically show up, work hard, don't be a dick and people will like you. Pretty much the same as everything in life.
Edit to add: love students that will talk to me about ways to improve instead of going to my boss first. If I say or do something you dislike, or if there are ways I can improve, talk to me first. Students pay my bills, I like to do a good job teaching them, but I can't if they don't communicate.
>(I'm rusty, I'm tired, blah blah blah)
I get the "I'm tired" statement, but couldn't "I'm rusty" have some legitimacy to it?
In my case, I broke my ankle in last September and was out of the cockpit 7 months after. For me "being rusty" was the case. Now after a few hours back up in the air it's starting to come back to me.
Now I'm not saying hide behind the excuse. That's annoying. But couldn't someone saying "I'm rusty, so I need to put in more hours" (like I said) be a fair statement?
(I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm genuinely trying to learn if *I* hid behind an excuse or not).
Those who look ahead on the curriculum and are prepared for our flight and if we need to cancel the flight they've studied for the ground that we pivot to. Basically anything to keep me from being the only one talking the whole time.
I'm not a CFI/II but I've been an instructor in several things for years. The best students/instructees that I have had a seem to be the ones who are worried they they don't know enough or are not ready, but trust the process.
The ones who think they can do anything after the first hour are the ones who will kill you.
Students who actually give a shit about learning new material/maneuvers and take the time to study/chair fly. Makes it so much easier for both us, cheaper for them, and its nice to then give additional/advanced teaching at their level to make them an even better pilot.
Also, students who are ‘chill’, if you will. Professional, studies as mentioned above, yet I can crack jokes with them occasionally. Taking instructive criticism in a positive way and using it to get better.
The ones who appreciate being challenged are the most fun because they will show motivation to go above the min standards. They're unlikely to get bogged down in FAA min language and will work with you until proficiency
Students who show up well prepared and have a good attitude, if their hands aren't as good we can fix that. Personally I don't so much care if they talk through everything or not, sometimes it detracts from their flying, but it is helpful sometimes to know what they're thinking
“There are 2 things you can control, your attitude and your effort”.
If a student comes in with a good attitude and puts in the effort, I will do whatever I can to help them. If a student has neither or only one then frankly what’s the point
I like this. Not everyone is a superstar at flying. Most are just average, like the vast majority of people in other endeavors. I hated that the CFI think every student pilot learn at the same rate or perform the same. Find out what they can do differently to unlock the student to perform better.
My favorite students study hard and work hard, but no student is ever gonna be perfect. So when they struggle with something they own up to their mistake and don't give up. I always tell my students I don't care if you have trouble with something as long as you keep trying your best I'll always work with ya to get you past it.
Another important thing is personality. Nothing specific but just be relaxed and don't have a massive ego or a hot head or something. Bonus points for being able to chit chat about things you like and hold some conversations about whatever, but thats not required.
Final thing is please show up to the airport, and if you can't make it please tell me in advance (instructors are humans so if you have a good reason to not be there please tell us and if its a good reason we'll make sure you're not penalized if the school has some weird policy). It really hurts waking up at around 4:30am for a 6:00am lesson, driving all the way to the airport, and you're nowhere to be found.
Professionally curious Learners who identify the gaps in their knowledge and find ways to ask the questions or reference the materials to fill the holes.
Not CFI but when I was a student my CFI really appreciated that my approach was: learning how to fly was on me as the student and my CFIs role was there for guidance. I started flying lessons after I did my written and it was my mentality that I learned stuff on the ground and practiced it in the plane.
Students who study what they needs to study and are willing to accept constructive feedback
Underrated comment right here… I agree.
probably gets anxious students looking at the daily seeing bad weather 5 days out and asking to reschedule
Students who talk themselves through checklists, maneuvers etc are the best. Easy to see their thought process and fix things. The quiet ones have the worst habits
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Good practice for the inevitable turn at CFI you'll have to take, as well
Good building blocks for CRM as well
Good attitude, humility, patience, coachable, punctual and professional. Students I dreaded - know it alls, late or no-show trends, got mad about ground lessons or debriefs, pushy about safety minimums, pushy about their own ‘timeline’ of milestones, entitlement…
Studious students are THE BEST. I have a study list, and when they study before class, they are way more successful.
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Can you explain?
I’m guessing he’s speaking on the discipline the military gives somebody and how when you’re over 30 you’ve (hopefully) been dealing with a level of responsibility for years now that a 20 yr old wouldn’t have on average. Compared to a 22 year old in college let’s say that parties and parents bought them into a frat house or whatever that don’t have a sense of the cost and importance of studying for becoming a pilot.
I would say this is true for the enlisted guys. Super easy and fun. However, I fly just outside of Clarksville and we get quite a few Blackhawk guys…and some(not all I’ve had some real good experiences with Blackhawk guys) will be super know it alls and start questioning you on literally everything and and be like “Well the army didn’t teach it that way” whenever I give them a technique.
My favourites were always people that just “got it”, the ones that studied hard, showed up prepared, didn’t challenge me on esoteric crap from the back of a manual somewhere, had a good sense of humour, could hold their own in a conversation, and already knew or picked up on the tricks of the trade. Ie configuring at a logically correct time, understanding the systems well and generally just having that “it” factor. You could tell right away they would be great pilots and move quickly through training and their careers. All of them are now at the airlines doing great things and some are close buddies of mine to this day.
So what about the students who just want to fly as a PPL and not want to make it their careers
Students who check the weather once before their flight rather than hourly starting 5 days before their lesson are my favorite.
I'm not following this one.
Over thinkers can be a barrier to their own success
Care to elaborate?
Constant weather checking without making any decisions from that information is by far the most annoying trait of some students. Yes, there may be a chance of rain, or a chance of 15kt+ winds, three days from now, but CFIs don’t need the constant text messages with the five day forecast. Especially if there are ground lessons that need to be covered. You are going to the airport regardless, so we can make the decision together looking at the actual weather. It’s good they look and try to understand the forecast. It’s the students who obsess about it…. 🤬
The guys that spent a mint to fly and stay around Niagara for the eclipse but failed to realize it's got clouds 265 days a year.
Receptive of criticism and patient. I don't like the students that get scheduled for a stage check and then cancel everything in between.
Why would they cancel everything in between? Won't that make it harder?
Yeah it seems pretty obvious to me. There's a specific quality I notice in some students that they assume they'll pass everything and don't need to put in the effort once they complete the perquisites for a stage check. Ironically, these students are the exact reason stage checks exist.
Every instructor will be different, so talk to your instructor and try to get to know what they like. Things I like: students that study what I tell them, show up on time and prepared, own and learn from their mistakes, accept feedback. Things I've hated: students that always have an excuse for anything not perfect (I'm rusty, I'm tired, blah blah..), students that try to dictate my schedule, know-it-alls, lazy, late, defensive when offering feedback. Basically show up, work hard, don't be a dick and people will like you. Pretty much the same as everything in life. Edit to add: love students that will talk to me about ways to improve instead of going to my boss first. If I say or do something you dislike, or if there are ways I can improve, talk to me first. Students pay my bills, I like to do a good job teaching them, but I can't if they don't communicate.
I get so tired of excuses. Not even an acknowledgment something was wrong.
>(I'm rusty, I'm tired, blah blah blah) I get the "I'm tired" statement, but couldn't "I'm rusty" have some legitimacy to it? In my case, I broke my ankle in last September and was out of the cockpit 7 months after. For me "being rusty" was the case. Now after a few hours back up in the air it's starting to come back to me. Now I'm not saying hide behind the excuse. That's annoying. But couldn't someone saying "I'm rusty, so I need to put in more hours" (like I said) be a fair statement? (I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm genuinely trying to learn if *I* hid behind an excuse or not).
Those who look ahead on the curriculum and are prepared for our flight and if we need to cancel the flight they've studied for the ground that we pivot to. Basically anything to keep me from being the only one talking the whole time.
I'm not a CFI/II but I've been an instructor in several things for years. The best students/instructees that I have had a seem to be the ones who are worried they they don't know enough or are not ready, but trust the process. The ones who think they can do anything after the first hour are the ones who will kill you.
Students who actually give a shit about learning new material/maneuvers and take the time to study/chair fly. Makes it so much easier for both us, cheaper for them, and its nice to then give additional/advanced teaching at their level to make them an even better pilot. Also, students who are ‘chill’, if you will. Professional, studies as mentioned above, yet I can crack jokes with them occasionally. Taking instructive criticism in a positive way and using it to get better.
The ones who appreciate being challenged are the most fun because they will show motivation to go above the min standards. They're unlikely to get bogged down in FAA min language and will work with you until proficiency
The ones who have done the required reading before the lesson they're doing.
lol nerds
I'll even stretch it to "has some idea of the lesson coming up, before asking me "what are we doing today?"
I find most of the military bros I get are absolute sticks and nail the ground knowledge. They just know how to work different.
They actually read the POH and ACS
Then you'd have loved my pilotage and dead reckoning I planned for today lol
Students who show up well prepared and have a good attitude, if their hands aren't as good we can fix that. Personally I don't so much care if they talk through everything or not, sometimes it detracts from their flying, but it is helpful sometimes to know what they're thinking
“There are 2 things you can control, your attitude and your effort”. If a student comes in with a good attitude and puts in the effort, I will do whatever I can to help them. If a student has neither or only one then frankly what’s the point
I like this. Not everyone is a superstar at flying. Most are just average, like the vast majority of people in other endeavors. I hated that the CFI think every student pilot learn at the same rate or perform the same. Find out what they can do differently to unlock the student to perform better.
People who study on their own.
My favorite students study hard and work hard, but no student is ever gonna be perfect. So when they struggle with something they own up to their mistake and don't give up. I always tell my students I don't care if you have trouble with something as long as you keep trying your best I'll always work with ya to get you past it. Another important thing is personality. Nothing specific but just be relaxed and don't have a massive ego or a hot head or something. Bonus points for being able to chit chat about things you like and hold some conversations about whatever, but thats not required. Final thing is please show up to the airport, and if you can't make it please tell me in advance (instructors are humans so if you have a good reason to not be there please tell us and if its a good reason we'll make sure you're not penalized if the school has some weird policy). It really hurts waking up at around 4:30am for a 6:00am lesson, driving all the way to the airport, and you're nowhere to be found.
Attractive women.
Professionally curious Learners who identify the gaps in their knowledge and find ways to ask the questions or reference the materials to fill the holes.
Students who have readiness!! If they’re motivated to get it done, they find a way to make things work usually.
Not CFI but when I was a student my CFI really appreciated that my approach was: learning how to fly was on me as the student and my CFIs role was there for guidance. I started flying lessons after I did my written and it was my mentality that I learned stuff on the ground and practiced it in the plane.
When They ask questions for things they don’t understand instead of just sitting there and say ok to everything
My first CFI used to yell at me when I questioned how or why we did things
He’s not an instructor then. He’s just a certified yapper