Little late to this thread.

I loved teaching. I think I was pretty decent at it too. But it just didn’t pay the bills. SO now I do aviation law and make 10 times the money and have a quarter the fun.

My experience with CFIs waiting for the big iron is not that bad. Probably because that was always in a very professional structure. They all knew the boss was looking after them, and any negative report would seriously jeopardize their career. On the plus side, they were on-top with modern technology (G1000 and so on), and their skills were sharp because fresh.

The most important factor (as you pointed out) is probably motivation. A “experienced” CFI doing that because he likes it is certainly better than a “junior” just building up hours. But hopefully, there are also many highly motivated “juniors” doing that in a very good way.

You are quite right about respect. No matter what the job may be, there’s no benefit in treating people poorly. I’m always amazed at how often we seem to forget what a small this industry is. The guy who’s flying as your FO today could be the one looking at your next job application.

Already I’ve seen people I trained at my current job go on to fly with major airlines, charter companies, aircraft manufacturers, the armed forces, and in one case, NASA.

Although I fly more jets than I do propeller airplanes these days, I just finished renewing my instructor ratings last weekend because … well, I can’t imagine letting them expire. They are that important.

Unfortunately, the number of CFIs that believe those certificates represent anything more than a license to log hours are few, I think.

Your point about unhappy CFIs growing into unhappy big-airplane pilots is a great insight too. That’s exactly how I have always seen them.

Teaching is a passion, like flying. Many simply don’t have it and never will because their passion is flying. They want to drive. Watching someone else do it just doesn’t fit their mold.

One other thought just popped into my brain. It was always pretty clear when I flew with a captain who had never spent any time as an instructor. They were lousy instructors as airline/corporate pilots just like they would have been as an instructor at an earlier time.

But finally, one thing … someone here mentioned the fact that CFIs don’t get any respect.

Respect is earned. Treat people with respect and you’ll usually get some back. Treat them like they are simply a stepping stone in your life and you get what you deserve.

Stop over and visit my blog at Jetwhine.com. I try to write about a few flight training issues too. Maybe some might be interesting to you.

Keep up the nice work on this blog.

Rob Mark

I have never really understood where the contempt comes from. I came from the bottom of your list and now sit at the top but remember as clear as day what that job, teaching meant to me then.
It was my first job where I actually flew for food and I made darn sure that I gave value for money and poured everything I had into my students.
You need fear no contempt from those that have trodden your path, all roads don’t lead to the airlines. There are plenty of very fine aviators who chose not to dose for dollars and breath thin air inside stale tin. Some of my happiest memories were spent teaching people to fly. Funny thing is, I think I took away more than I taught…. if you know what I mean.

Well said!

Its about time someone stood up for a profession that has been notably lacking in people who take it seriously. I guess I fall under the “time-builder” CFI category, but I’m damned proud of the job I do. Even though I’ve only been doing it for a year and a half, I will always stay with instructing, even if it is only as a side gig.

Perhaps the reason some former instructors are so negative about the profession is that they themselves were stuck with a time-building CFI during their student pilot days. Who knows.

I’ve often wondered what my old instructors are up to these days. I think Brandon Tauer (private cert) is flying for a major airline. He left a note on the whiteboard in my office at Sunrise one day. Ironically, my current office was his office when he was my instructor. I like to joke that in 9 years I’ve moved three feet: from one side of the desk to the other. I’m not sure what happened to Jonah Hall, my instrument instructor. Perhaps you’d know what he’s up to these days?

Anyway, keep in touch! I’m glad you’re still flying.

I flew with you a few times when I was a CFI at Sunrise. You have a great website!

I’m a part-time CFI and I love it! I was hired by Mesa Airlines in 2004 but I found that type of flying stifling. I might consider corporate flying in the future, but for now, being a CFI is wonderful.

Take Care!

- Dave

One day the CFI meets a hot shot commuter airline pilot. When the young captain learns this guy is a CFI, he exclaims, “A CFI? Well hey, here’s my card. Give me a call at the airline when you get enough hours!”

The CFI replied, “Well I’ve GOT 12,000 hours; how many do you need?”

For me, I’m torn. I know I’m going to get my CFI and II, mainly because I love to fly and truly enjoy teaching people. As you said, during primary training you bring a helpless student and turn them into a knowledgable and safe pilot. One day in the near future I’ll have to make a decision as to which path to take; to continue with college and then get me a nice ole FAA job as a controller, keep instructing, or instruct with the intentions of moving on afterwards.

I greatly enjoyed your post and as Zach said, bravo to the career instructors. I wouldn’t be a pilot without ‘em.