CFI Central

First 10 Hours as a CFI: Teaching and Talking Are Two Different Things

Although the check ride is passed, there will still be a learning curve applying the knowledge and experience acquired.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, June 09, 2025 at 08:03 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

While training for your initial instructor rating, it's a good time to learn how to teach instrument approaches. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

There is something both exciting and a little intimidating when the DPE hands you the temporary certificate for your CFI rating.

You are now an instructor, the person responsible for training new pilots. And although you passed the check ride, there will still be a learning curve as you apply the knowledge and experience you have acquired.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.