Question: I started flight training 10 years ago, getting a medical and everything, and logged about six hours, then life got in the way. Recently, I bought a Cessna 152, and I’m trying to find a CFI who will just go up with me so I can see if I like it (or not) before I commit. So far all the CFIs I’ve flown with insist on doing some ground before we fly. I’ve told them I won’t pay for ground. Is there an FAA rule that states a flight instructor has to do ground instruction with a client before they go fly?
Answer: There’s no rule, but before each flight there should be a preflight briefing, where you and your CFI discuss what you will be doing on the flight. Ground instruction is necessary, as you could be learning how to do a preflight inspection using the checklist, how to get and interpret a weather briefing, and how to determine aircraft weight and balance, and aircraft performance. These things are done before every flight—and I mean every flight. You don’t learn them by osmosis, and you definitely shouldn’t skip them. The fact you refuse to pay for ground may be the reason you’re having a problem finding a CFI.
