Ultimate Issue: First Few Hours of Being a CFI Are the Hardest

Here are 12 suggestions to help make your journey as flight instructor a smooth one for both you and your learners.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 08:57 AM ET

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It’s important to know how to do a go-around. [Credit: iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Effective CFIs should use structured teaching tools (syllabi, FAA standards, checklists) from the start, foster active learning by allowing mistakes, and provide precise feedback.
Beyond flying, instructors must teach essential skills like weather briefing, performance calculations, and sound decision-making, while managing schedules professionally and preparing for ground instruction alternatives.
Crucially, CFIs need to maintain their own flying proficiency and currency to be truly effective educators.

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Congratulations! You earned your flight instructor rating, and now it’s your turn to teach someone else how to fly. But just because you now carry the title of CFI doesn’t mean you know all there is about teaching flying.

I am coming up on 21 years as a CFI, and there are stumbling blocks I’ve seen freshly minted CFIs trip over. Here are 12 suggestions to help make your journey as an educator a smooth one for both you and your learners: