Have you noticed that aviation training isn't particularly standardized?

Question

I've worked with 4 different instructors, and it's not that they have their own way of teaching, but they all stress completely different things, and are very adamant about those things. It seems so strange. What's important to one instructor is insignificant to another, yet they all seem so absolutely convinced that what they personally think is important, is important.

It makes me laugh on my good days. Yet, I do wonder about these instructors. They seem so stubborn, and that can't be a good quality in a pilot.

Why four instructors? Because three have left for "better" jobs. There's a boom in aviation employment at the moment in Canada.

Answer 1

Yep. Each CFI has his own way. Some are nuts about the engine's gauges other about scanning etc. Each one has his own way of managing his student and in the end the CFI is the PIC of the aircraft.

Answer 2

I'd be curious to know why you've had FOUR instructors! ;)
(hopefully, it means that you're moving up in ability, and require more specialized training or certification, and not that you're a bad student!) ;)

Regardless, every teacher has their own style, and a "stubborn" pilot, as you referred to them, is usually very protective over his/her plane or jet, as it costs a lot of money to maintain. As a student, you should appreciate and respect that.

Think about it like this: Unlike cars, you don't have as much "traffic" to worry about. And, even though there are "rules of the road", so to speak, there's no traffic signs or lights to be concerned about, per se. So, you should realize that pilot license training is quite different from that of getting your automobile driver's license, which, by necessity, needs to be standardized.

As long as the instructors are teaching you the basics, and, assuming you're a good student (again, why four instructors???), then you should be fine.

The first link, below, gives a brief overview on becoming a pilot, including expected costs. The second link shows what it takes to become an instructor (it ain't cheap!).

Answer 3

There is a lot of truth in what you say, I've seen it many times over the years and a fair share of students handed over from a young instructor moving on to greener pastures. Although there is a loose training syllabus followed, every student is different. A student pilot must learn to multi-task well in order to be competent and gain the confidence of his instructor. An experienced instructor sees more in your ability to do this than you at this point of your experience level. As you progress you will become very self critiquing, this is when you will note a change in how you handle the aircraft and associated conditions. Your instructor will work on your weak areas in order to bring your awareness up to the level needed to properly manage flight. Every aspect of flight training is important and must be mastered if you will truly become a pilot. Try working with your instructor by showing up a little earlier for a good pre-flight briefing as to what the lesson of the day will entail and what the expectations of acceptable performance will be, then stay a little longer at the end of the flight for a post flight critique and discussion on what areas need be improved. If your instructor does not have the time to do this with you then look elsewhere. Remember it is not your job to make an assessment of the instructor, he has earned his rating......you are paying for him to train you. Many professional pilot training centers will utilize impartial instructors at various points in your training to evaluate your learning process as well as the effectiveness of your instructors training skills.

Answer 4

There seems to be as many different ways to teach flying (or anything else) as there are instructors. My guess is that they'll stress the stuff that scared the bejabbers outta them the week before.

Pick an older gray haired instructor for your next one. He won't be going anywhere.

Answer 5

Four instructors?
Flight Safety's (and other major vendors') jet training (sim) is quite standardized.