Improving CFI Training Remains a Never-Ending Goal

Remember that becoming a good flight instructor is a journey, not a destination.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, August 06, 2024 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Becoming a good flight instructor is a journey, not a destination. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Many flight instructors prioritize building flight hours over genuinely developing teaching skills, often due to accelerated training programs that fail to impart proper instructional techniques.
Improving CFI quality faces challenges, as suggestions like increased pay or new training metrics may not address a CFI's core desire to teach and are often impractical for many flight schools.
Flight instructors have an ethical responsibility to act as dedicated teachers and coaches, guiding learners effectively and discerning when to terminate a non-productive instructional relationship.
Successful flight training requires a committed partnership where both the CFI and the student apply themselves, take accountability for their progress, and understand that consistent effort is essential beyond merely showing up.

See a mistake? Contact us.

I have just returned from EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where part of my experience involved communicating with other flight instructors. We exchanged ideas about better ways to teach in order to create safer pilots with knowledge and skill above the bare minimum required for certification as outlined in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS).

This year I met several newly minted flight instructors and flight instructors in training who wish to do more than build their hours from the right seat. They want to be good teachers of flight. I really hope they meant what they said.