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3 Answers

Problem with taking over control and giving instruction during flight.

Asked by: 2561 views Flight Instructor

So I need experienced CFIs to give me some good advice.
I'm initial CFI applicant and having some problem.

First problem is when my instructor acts like a brand new student and do something wrong in critical phase of flight (take-off or landing) some reason i just believe him that he will going to land or take off just fine. Should i like yell and take over the control? or just tell i have control and be forceful?

Second problem is whenever i perform maneuvers or doing something inside the cockpit i just do it without talking. I talk little bit and then get quite once i start focus.

In my opinion unnecessarily talking too much inside the cockpit is not a good thing because when i was a student i get overwhelmed by the instructor talking too much but i might be wrong. I feel like i'm going to be really bad CFI .. 

I would appreciate any advice 

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3 Answers



  1. AZ_CFI on Jun 30, 2016

    Hey bud,

    sometimes the pretending to be a student is not easy, I think he’s probably looking for you to first make verbal corrections and if that doesn’t work, start working in some control corrections- making sure to explain what you are doing, then call for the controls if the “student” deviates an unsafe degree. Sort of like an escalation of assistance, if you will.

    This goes hand in hand with the next part of your question. Being able to talk through your maneuver is key to being able to teach. As an applicant for CFI we expect you to be able to perform the maneuver, that’s a given at this point. Now is time for you to be able to accurately talk a student through a maneuver so that they can understand the elements of performing the maneuver successfully. Being quiet keeps the student in the dark as to what you are doing, what corrections you are making and why you are making them. When did you look at your instruments?… when did you steepen the turn?… don’t forget to look outside! keep talking so the student is engaged in everything you are doing and thinking.

    If you don’t talk your student through the whole maneuver I promise you they will fixate as they wont know what to look for. When you get talking, they will eventually hear you when they fly on their own as they remember you coaching them through. Hope that helps, sounds like your instructor is getting you ready!

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  2. Mark Kolber on Jul 02, 2016

    Have you asked your instructor what he is expecting you to do? That’s what he’s teaching you, after all.

    Part of learning to teach is learning how far to let the student go when the student is making mistakes and how best to intercede. Sometimes it’s going to be purely verbal. Other times it will be a combination of verbal prompts and some control assistance. Yet other times it might be necessary for the CFI to take control altogether.

    On talking, yes it is possible to talk too much. But you are saying you don’t even talk when you are demonstrating the maneuver. How do you think the student it going to learn what you are doing, what you are seeing, the visual cues you are looking for, type inputs you are making?

    Yes, it’s not easy. But it does get better with practice.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Jul 03, 2016

    Just one other thing…

    I feel like i’m going to be really bad CFI ..

    Doesn’t sound too likely. This applies to most endeavors, not just aviation: Those who are competent always have concerns over their competence. Those who have concerns about whether they will do a good job will make the effort do a good job.

    It’s the other ones you have to watch out for.

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