aftCG
Well-known member
Clifford,@JimParker256 im sorry but I have to defend us “kids”. I’ve gotten better knowledge from the younger cfi’s than the old ones that don’t know specifics. Experience helps you to more quickly problem solve a situation, getting that experience comes with time(in an airplane, not years). A 60 year old cfi can in no way compare themselves to a 23 year old cfi. A 60 year old cfi that only flew a 172 is much different than a 23 year old cfi that has flown 1000 hours teaching in 20 types of aircraft. Can’t compare!
Down talking the next generation is only going to kill aviation. I always tell the old guys against kids to keep their planes well kept, because we’ll be owning them one day
Bashing the young guy is nothing new. They were doing it 22 years ago when I learned to fly. I even made reference to my 21 year old "punk a**" instructor in an earlier post. Truth is, he was very good and like most pilots I still hear his voice in my head at appropriate times. I even use his teaching methodology which is basically: If it's not going to bend the plane, get us killed or get my ticket pulled I will let my student hang themselves - plenty good if necessary.
Sadly, Jim is correct in that many people who instruct only do it as a stepping stone. It's not a generational thing, it's the nature of the ratings pilots earn. Truth is most people suck at teaching, or at least lack the compassion required to be good at it. An old fart who has only been teaching in a C172 would be a pretty boring dude, you are correct.
A 23 year old with 20 types under his/her belt who has passion for being a flight instructor is more of a unicorn than a regular occurrance. For every guy like yourself there are 8 that are just waiting for "the call", and they'll hand their student load off on the next 260 hour wonder kid and not look back.
As for keeping the plane in good condition for the next generation, my primary motiviation for reinstatement was to teach my three sons to fly. I'll give the damn thing to them if they stick it out.