I have a friend who is learning to fly and is about to do her first solo flight. I did mine some time ago and don't recall if I went out of my way to buy my instructor a present. What is usually done in this situation? Buy him a present, or just a beer at the next social event, or just thank him for getting you so far? She is the only female student at the club so doesn't want to feel akward by giving/not giving the guy something!
2007-06-03 01:02:11 · 11 answers · asked by hmmm 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
A gift certificate to a steak house for him and his bride might be a nice gesture, you know, most flight instructors survive on Roman Noodles!!
2007-06-03 06:44:55 · answer #1 · answered by cherokeeflyer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are already some very good answers here but I'll throw my two cents into the mix.
I didn't do anything after my first solo except for thanking my instructor for getting me this far. After my checkride however, I did give my instructor a nice gift. Anytime you can buy an instructor lunch or dinner however, its a nice gesture since I don't know any rich flight instructors.
2007-06-03 09:57:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At my flight school the students usually paid for lunch when we flew to another airport and ate in their diner. It was sort of a running joke, as a student, I always paid, as an instructor, I was always paid for.
One student asked if it was a rule, and if she would have to budget for instructor lunches. Of course it wasn't, just a tradition at our school. I never gave or received a gift after a solo or checkride. Soloing is a big deal for some people, but not where I worked, it was just another day.
2007-06-03 04:40:48 · answer #3 · answered by 7Mathbaby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A gift after the first solo isn't really necessary. What might be more appropriate (though also not at all necessary) is after your friend receives her pilot's license. A "thank you" would be appreciated and would suffice.
If she feels so compelled to get her instructor something, a small token of thanks would be OK. If she knows that the instructor drinks beer, then getting him a beer at the next social event could work.
2007-06-03 03:15:33 · answer #4 · answered by barrych209 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a flight instructor myself I find it great to even get like a card or just a handshake and a "thank you" I would saw get them something nifty like a shirt maybe or small inexpensive present, it shows you care and are thankful for all your instructors hard work
2007-06-03 03:52:52 · answer #5 · answered by Jason S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. The solo is just one step of a whole bunch of steps student pilots take enroute to a license.
2007-06-03 05:13:26 · answer #6 · answered by leesa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not necessary, but a cold beer may be appreciated.
Once he get's you through to your private license, then a thank you gift would be in order, but something simple.
2007-06-03 01:47:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I instructed, I never had a student buy me a gift nor did I expect one.
It was a gift just to see my students succeed.
.
2007-06-03 07:59:17 · answer #8 · answered by Robert L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A gift would only be appropriate if you are not paying for instruction.
2007-06-04 15:44:01 · answer #9 · answered by DT3238 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 6 pack of beer is always welcome but she should really plan for a small gift after her check ride.
2007-06-03 02:13:05 · answer #10 · answered by Aircoupe54Q 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋