An Early Love of Aviation Leads to a Love of Instructing

Niki Gaskins didn’t think she had it in her to be a CFI. She took the plunge, and found her calling.

Friday, January 28, 2022 at 09:36 AM ET

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Niki Gaskins, (front row left) says she thought being a CFI would be daunting, but she fell in love with it. [Courtesy: Niki Gaskins]

Key Takeaways:

Inspired by her pilot father, Niki Gaskins initially aimed for a private pilot license but eventually became a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), overcoming initial doubts to find a profound love for teaching.
As a CFI, Gaskins finds understanding each student's unique learning style to be the most challenging aspect, while witnessing their milestones and growing confidence is the most rewarding.
She recounted several close calls during her career, including students struggling with solo takeoffs and a critical incident involving unlowered landing gear during a training flight.
Unlike many who use CFI as a stepping stone, Gaskins is content and dedicated to her role, emphasizing the vital importance of CFIs in continuously training new pilots for the aviation industry.

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For most children, sitting in a car seat means endless hours watching the landscapes and buildings outside of the car window. For Niki Gaskins, when her dad put her car seat in the back of an airplane, it allowed her to see the world from above the terrain.

Years later, her father encouraged Niki and her brothers to share his love of aviation by offering them the opportunity to learn how to fly, and Niki quickly jumped at the chance. After graduating from high school, she found herself at the local airport beginning her flight instruction.