The Long Line of Instructors

Being part of a teaching legacy is an awesome and life-changing privilege.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 09:59 PM ET

Verified

Teaching someone to fly can be a life changing experience. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Flight instruction is a profoundly rewarding and mutually transformative experience, where both students and instructors gain knowledge and personal growth.
The article distinguishes between "experience builder" CFIs who prioritize genuine teaching and fostering student development, and "time builder" CFIs who exploit students to accumulate their own flight hours.
Effective flight instruction emphasizes the importance of strong communication, thoughtful planning, and a true passion for guiding learners, rather than merely reading from materials.
Administering a student's first solo flight is highlighted as a glorious and thrilling milestone for the instructor, symbolizing the birth of a new pilot.

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“You may not remember me…” is how the e-mails often begin. They come from people I flew with in the past who have become flight instructors. They share the news with me because I played a part in their journey. I love hearing from these folks, and I feel privileged to have played my part.

I became a CFI on July 23, 2003, at 4:48 p.m. when designated pilot examiner Bob Roetcisoender handed me my temporary certificate. I became a flight instructor because I wanted to teach aviation.