Problems with my instructor

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Naiara

Filing Flight Plan
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Viento_30
Hello !! I m new here !

I started my PPL 7 months ago, and when I decided to do this I knew it was important to choose an instructor that I will felt comfortable with. I visited several schools in my area, until finally I decided the school and the instructor. At the beginning is just felt the right place and instructor. But my situation now is that I start to feel frustrated with my instructor, with my training, and I beginning to think that he does not take his work seriously, and I have reached to a point that I am no longer able to enjoy my training, it is becoming a nightmare to have him sitting in the right seat ! - I have 45 hours of flight, and I had to fight to be able to do my first solo, and when I did it was great ! I was not afraid or worry are all , I finally I was enjoying flying without a person that is trying to push me down and making me feel bad about my performance. My landing were great, I felt just relax and focus.

What bothers me the most about him, and I told him on several occasions, is that he has the constancy of teaching me everything in the cockpit, distract me constantly, which leads me to make small mistakes, nothing serious, but he gets angry with me every time I make a small mistake, and how not to make a mistake when you have a person talking to you all the time ! this make me stress.. I have suggested him: to please, if you have something to tell me write it down , and we can talk about it when we are on the ground. But he always gives me a defensive attitude, and tells me he can say whatever he wants ! Also what starts to annoy me too, is that he never tells me what we are going to do in the next class, and neither we talk about what we are going to do before flying, he did t make a plan for my training , steps to follow to get me where I want to go. 2 classes ago I have the "conversation'' I explain to him that I felling that I not making progress as I should, and I did t understand why we are not doing what I should be doing , then I make him a list, of the thinks that I need to do have my ppl, and the steps to follow to get there, and I ask him to please lets do what I really need to do, and focus just in that. His hands were shaking ! hahaha ( sorry about that )

I don't know what to do, if keep trying with this guy and make sure to keep him on the right direction, or change my instructor, I not confident that at this point we are going to be able to work together, but I not sure, maybe he change his attitude and decide to focus in my training instead of his training. My concern is that in the school that I m, all the instructors are friends they talk and support each other , so I m afraid that if I change to a new instructor he will have a wrong idea about me and I ll just keeping losing my time and money. Or worse , end it up doing all the same things again !

Any advice pleaseeee !!!
 
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Nobody has the same one teacher all the way through grade school. ;)

Most schools deliberately have their students fly with other instructors, at least from time to time. You should discuss this with the owner or management of your flight school. The instructor may be very good, just not right for you at this stage.
 
Ask for an evaluation with another instructor, if for no other reason than to solve a specific problem. It's done all the time, and a professional will not have any problem with this. It can be for only one flight if you want.

Everyone has some frustration during primary training. Just, before you accuse your flight instructor of being too cautious with you, make DAMN sure you're as safe as you think you are. 'Cause it's not always easy to know, especially as a primary student. If you really could have done your solo 20 hours earlier, there is a problem. If you thought you could do it 20 hours ago, but you couldn't do a successful engine out -- or more importantly, were still looking to your instructor to figure stuff out -- you have a very different problem that isn't with your instructor.

You may not be doing yourself a favor by counting hours. It takes almost everyone longer than 40 hours.

I have the sneaking suspicion that one or both of you may not speak English as a first language. This can play a significant role. Just a variable that needs working out, if it's true. Even if not true, there is clearly a communication issue.

FYI, people talk in the cockpit when they shouldn't, all the time. It can't be allowed to cause mistakes. Even ATC will give you instructions when you might wish they didn't. Like runway turnout instructions on short final. Your examiner is virtually certain to try something.
 
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Sounds to me like there's another part to this story, your CFI's. Is this a flight school? Are there more CFIs available? If what you say is true then perhaps you should try another CFI. But a lot of what you wrote is difficult to understand what you're trying to say. Distractions are part of training, but within reason of course. You did great when you did your solo, well you should actually. A CFI won't sign you off until you are ready for it. Try another CFI, your call.
 
I had a few instructors. Some good, some great. It I learned something new from each instructor. Switch and learn something new
 
GRG55 said:
Nobody has the same one teacher all the way through grade school. ;)

Most schools deliberately have their students fly with other instructors, at least from time to time. You should discuss this with the owner or management of your flight school. The instructor may be very good, just not right for you at this stage.
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I did talk to the manager about it, and she agreed with me, what I don't know is what is she going to do about it. Is too recently. But yes I m going to try to fly with another instructor, maybe that will help me :) Thanks !!!!
 
"...My concern is that in the school that I m, all the instructors are friends they talk and support each other , so I m afraid that if I change to a new instructor he will have a wrong idea about me and I ll just keeping losing my time and money..."

Instructors make money when they're flying so that shouldn't be a worry, unless of course as mentioned above that you aren't as skilled as you think you are and THAT is what is worrying you. Ask to fly with another instructor and see what they say. You may be right but then again, you may be wrong.
 
mscard88 said:
Sounds to me like there's another part to this story, your CFI's. Is this a flight school? Are there more CFIs available? If what you say is true then perhaps you should try another CFI. But a lot of what you wrote is difficult to understand what you're trying to say. Distractions are part of training, but within reason of course. You did great when you did your solo, well you should actually. A CFI won't sign you off until you are ready for it. Try another CFI, your call.
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I m not saying that he is a bad instructor, I m personally I like him as a person, and change of instructor make me feel a little bad. but I felt that he was not listening to my needs, every person learn in a different way, I know how I can learn better, and If I have fun I learn even better ! hahaha I felt that he did't let me take some charge of the airplane or my training.
 
Get a stage check from another instructor.talk to the chief instructor from the school,to see if you and the school are in agreement with your goals.
 
Naiara said:
I m not saying that he is a bad instructor, I m personally I like him as a person, and change of instructor make me feel a little bad. but I felt that he was not listening to my needs, every person learn in a different way, I know how I can learn better, and If I have fun I learn even better ! hahaha I felt that he did't let me take some charge of the airplane or my training.
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Well, I'd say similar things about my primary instructor. She was a very nice person, but not good at solving problems, and a bit timid. I didn't go back to her for instrument training, and found a much better instructor for that. I've since flown with quite a number of instructors, and I can say without a doubt that she wasn't the right choice. At the time, there was plenty of doubt.

If one flight with another instructor bears this out, I'd suggest a switch. You will repeat some stuff; it's an unavoidable cost. But be ready for an answer that doesn't meet your expectations. You can make the switch anyway, but you may not gain anything from it.

Though I don't see any evidence of it here, there have been a few similar threads on this board where serial instructor switches have occurred. The recommendation from the peanut gallery is ALWAYS to dump the instructor, but that is not always the correct solution. One guy went through 10 instructors, blaming all of them for his well over 100 hours to checkride. This was a guy I knew in person, so I was familiar with what was really going on -- and I strongly suspect it was undiagnosed ADHD, or perhaps a long-term memory learning disability. Switching instructors didn't help, but he said it did each time. He even blamed his examiner for failing his first checkride, though his logbook was totally illegible.
 
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MAKG1 said:
Ask for an evaluation with another instructor, if for no other reason than to solve a specific problem. It's done all the time, and a professional will not have any problem with this. It can be for only one flight if you want.

Everyone has some frustration during primary training. Just, before you accuse your flight instructor of being too cautious with you, make DAMN sure you're as safe as you think you are. 'Cause it's not always easy to know, especially as a primary student. If you really could have done your solo 20 hours earlier, there is a problem. If you thought you could do it 20 hours ago, but you couldn't do a successful engine out -- or more importantly, were still looking to your instructor to figure stuff out -- you have a very different problem that isn't with your instructor.

You may not be doing yourself a favor by counting hours. It takes almost everyone longer than 40 hours.

I have the sneaking suspicion that one or both of you may not speak English as a first language. This can play a significant role. Just a variable that needs working out, if it's true. Even if not true, there is clearly a communication issue.

FYI, people talk in the cockpit when they shouldn't, all the time. It can't be allowed to cause mistakes. Even ATC will give you instructions when you might wish they didn't. Like runway turnout instructions on short final. Your examiner is virtually certain to try something.
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Maybe you are right , thanks for the point. your right that there is a communication issue , but i don't think that is because of my level of English, it takes to people two communicate and open to do it, and to listen, but he wont talk to me openly, I feel that his way is not helping out at this point. I m sure I will better to manage distractions when I will have more experience, but right now, distract me all the time is not helping me . And he wont have that into consideration..
 
Go up with another CFI and have them give you their 2 cents, preferably a higher time CFI.

The only thing in your initial post that I found odd.

How many hours you had before solo, ether you're not exactly a natural, or it's something with your CFI

Your instructor getting mad at you, that's really not good and not something a good instructor needs to do.
 
Naiara said:
Maybe you are right , thanks for the point. your right that there is a communication issue , but i don't think that is because of my level of English, it takes to people two communicate and open to do it, and to listen, but he wont talk to me openly, I feel that his way is not helping out at this point. I m sure I will better to manage distractions when I will have more experience, but right now, distract me all the time is not helping me . And he wont have that into consideration..
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Even if you are understanding each other's words, it could be a cultural issue. Or maybe the two of you don't mesh. That can happen between any student and instructor. I second the idea of trying someone else to see how it goes.
 
Naiara said:
Maybe you are right , thanks for the point. your right that there is a communication issue , but i don't think that is because of my level of English, it takes to people two communicate and open to do it, and to listen, but he wont talk to me openly, I feel that his way is not helping out at this point. I m sure I will better to manage distractions when I will have more experience, but right now, distract me all the time is not helping me . And he wont have that into consideration..
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I don't mean to say your English is bad. It isn't. Not even close; that you're not a native is only barely detectable. As I said, it was a suspicion. Sometimes it's really obvious; not this time.

What I mean is that along with that, there are expectations about when to speak and when not to speak. How one might word something or when being blunt is called for. Even things like personal space and timing responses. Sometimes those expectations get in the way.

It's not an insurmountable barrier. It just has to be addressed, if it is a factor.
 
Try a different instructor, as others recommended, perhaps a a completely different school.

It's your money. You are the customer. While there are minimum standards to be met to finish your PPL, the style of the teachers can vary greatly. Do not continue to pay your money for service that you think is unacceptable - you said you don't know what to do and advice please - there you go. Has everything to do with customer satisfaction and nothing to do with aviation.
 
Years ago (2006) I watched the old Sporty's videos and did a discovery flight first. BIGGEST recommendation on the videos was to call the DPE before start and ask HIM to recommend a couple of CFIs in the area. I had zero problems ...
 
danhagan said:
Years ago (2006) I watched the old Sporty's videos and did a discovery flight first. BIGGEST recommendation on the videos was to call the DPE before start and ask HIM to recommend a couple of CFIs in the area. I had zero problems ...
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It's an interesting idea, but there is one DPE in this area (who did, in fact, give me my private pilot practical exam) whose advice on instructors I'd never trust. The one who gave me my instrument practical, I'd trust completely. There is no way on God's green earth I would have known the difference at 0 time.

DPEs do move around, too. Of the three DPEs in the San Jose FSDO who were around when I did my primary practical, only one is still there, and he's the one I don't trust. There are now five DPEs, four of which are newer than that.
 
MAKG1 said:
It's an interesting idea, but there is one DPE in this area (who did, in fact, give me my private pilot practical exam) whose advice on instructors I'd never trust. The one who gave me my instrument practical, I'd trust completely. There is no way on God's green earth I would have known the difference at 0 time.
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Ouch. The video recommendation was a little more detailed and I should have stated such ... Sporty's back then suggested asking for a few CFIs with the highest pass rates from the DPE(s). We had two that were around quite a while and their suggestions were similar which made things easy.
 
How busy is this flight school? Have you talked to to other students? Is your instructor a young time-builder with airline ambitions? You are apparently a female, there might be something else going on that is keeping you from progressing (and I don't mean lack of demonstrated skill).

This must be a Part 61 school otherwise there would be some intercession by management.

BTW, I have no idea what this means or why it is funny (to you): "His hands were sacking ! hahaha ( sorry about that ) "
 
paflyer said:
How busy is this flight school? Have you talked to to other students? Is your instructor a young time-builder with airline ambitions? You are apparently a female, there might be something else going on that is keeping you from progressing (and I don't mean lack of demonstrated skill).

This must be a Part 61 school otherwise there would be some intercession by management.

BTW, I have no idea what this means or why it is funny (to you): "His hands were sacking ! hahaha ( sorry about that ) "
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I did t have the chance to talk to another students, that s why I m here ! so I guess is not too busy, and yes my instructor in young and his intentions is to be airline pilot, he don't have much experience teaching, but I didn't thought that will be a problem . The school those the part 141.

I m a female, and this cause me some Unpleasant situation , but nothing I can t not handle it :p . I like to think that s not the issue here with my instructor.

about his hands, I did t want to make fun of him, is not about that, I do have a lot of respect for him, is just after having a honest and direct conversation, just trying to deal with reality , his got so nervous like he could not deal with the conversation that I was trying to have. I thought there was real information there, but is hard to tell when somebody wont speak their mind. I just prefer to take thing with humor otherwise....bluuuffff
 
Does your 141 not already do stage checks with other instructors?
 
A 141 school has an FAA-approved syllabus (the lesson plan) and includes various "stage checks" to verify progress. Your non-solo until45 hours should have been noticed by the Chief Pilot.
 
Instructor gets "mad" at you? That's something I wouldn't tolerate. My instructor only ever lit into me once and it was well deserved.

The fact that you had over 40 hours before solo either means you legitimately weren't ready or the instructor is milking you for money.

Regardless, it sounds like it is time to try out a new instructor. Nothing wrong with switching it up. It's supposed to be fun.
 
paflyer said:
A 141 school has an FAA-approved syllabus (the lesson plan) and includes various "stage checks" to verify progress. Your non-solo until45 hours should have been noticed by the Chief Pilot.
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Also what starts to annoy me too, is that he never tells me what we are going to do in the next class, and neither we talk about what we are going to do before flying, he did t make a plan for my training , steps to follow to get me where I want to go.

Are we sure she's doing 141? Reason I ask is because she said there's no plan. 141 would have a syllabus, 61 may or may not.
 
You absolutely need to change your instructor or at least try out another one or two. I am not saying that you are right and he is wrong but you have obviously lost confidence in him and this is impacting your ability to progress. Make the change.
 
mscard88 said:
Also what starts to annoy me too, is that he never tells me what we are going to do in the next class, and neither we talk about what we are going to do before flying, he did t make a plan for my training , steps to follow to get me where I want to go.

Are we sure she's doing 141? Reason I ask is because she said there's no plan. 141 would have a syllabus, 61 may or may not.
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Yes I m sure it is 141 , and my mistake is been not to be better informed..
 
Naiara said:
I m rather not say where, and I flying a Cessna 172
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Ok, no need to say what school or airport but is it in an area with complex airspace, i.e. Class B?

Does the 172 have a G1000?

I'm just wondering if maybe you are being over tasked or saturated with complexity and not being given enough time with the basics.
 
Naiara
I started with one instructor and things seemed to start out well but then I seemed to stop advancing and didn't feel like I was getting what I needed from my instructor. I talked with him and the flight school then decided to try another instructor.

The way the other instructor presented the material to me worked much better for me and I progressed quickly after the change. We all learn differently and you've already let your current instructor know about your concerns. At this point it's worth trying someone else. Even if your current instructor worked well with others it doesn't mean he's the right instructor for you.

It is concerning that your school and instructor are not working with a syllabus and at least some structure. At a minimum I wanted my instructor to do a debrief with me when we landed so we could talk about what went well, what didn't and why, and what we would be working on during the next lesson so I prepare. That was a critical part of the process for me.

The bottom line is that you are paying for the training and it doesn't seem like you are getting what you are paying for right now. I think what was discussed before on this thread is a good plan. I suggest you talk to the head of your flight school about what you are looking for in your instruction and ask to meet with other instructors to see if one seems someone you might be more comfortable with them.

If you think one will work set up a status checkride with that instructor and work up a plan from there. If you don't find one you're comfortable with consider talking with other flight schools. It's your money, your time, and your career. You need to feel like you are getting what you're paying for.

Let us know how things go. I know it's frustrating but you will get there

Gary
 
mscard88 said:
Also what starts to annoy me too, is that he never tells me what we are going to do in the next class, and neither we talk about what we are going to do before flying, he did t make a plan for my training , steps to follow to get me where I want to go.

Are we sure she's doing 141? Reason I ask is because she said there's no plan. 141 would have a syllabus, 61 may or may not.
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She said 141, not me.
 
The best advice is what's already been provided-- go up with someone else. If you are truly in a part 141 program this shoukd have already happened, multiple times based upon the number of hours you reported having. Anything else anyone suggests is pointless because no one here has flown with you and we only have your side of the story, so although what you have posted might be 100% accurate there's an even chance it's not. We simply have no way to ascertain the veracity of your claims.
 
GaryV said:
Naiara
I started with one instructor and things seemed to start out well but then I seemed to stop advancing and didn't feel like I was getting what I needed from my instructor. I talked with him and the flight school then decided to try another instructor.

The way the other instructor presented the material to me worked much better for me and I progressed quickly after the change. We all learn differently and you've already let your current instructor know about your concerns. At this point it's worth trying someone else. Even if your current instructor worked well with others it doesn't mean he's the right instructor for you.

It is concerning that your school and instructor are not working with a syllabus and at least some structure. At a minimum I wanted my instructor to do a debrief with me when we landed so we could talk about what went well, what didn't and why, and what we would be working on during the next lesson so I prepare. That was a critical part of the process for me.

The bottom line is that you are paying for the training and it doesn't seem like you are getting what you are paying for right now. I think what was discussed before on this thread is a good plan. I suggest you talk to the head of your flight school about what you are looking for in your instruction and ask to meet with other instructors to see if one seems someone you might be more comfortable with them.

If you think one will work set up a status checkride with that instructor and work up a plan from there. If you don't find one you're comfortable with consider talking with other flight schools. It's your money, your time, and your career. You need to feel like you are getting what you're paying for.

Let us know how things go. I know it's frustrating but you will get there

Gary
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Thanks is a great advice ! This experience is been a good lesson for sure.
 
My IFR CFI used to distract me and then get angry when I would inevitably lose focus and miss something. I finally adopted the following attitude: "I'm the PIC, and I need to concentrate right now. Let us discuss your point on the ground or else you can take the controls and I'll relinquish all duties to you so that I can focus on whatever you're trying to tell me." Also, I'm paying you (CFI), and I will get a lot more value from your instruction, when I can give you my full, undivided attention.
 
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