What a life!

[shaun ryder]

Well I suppose this may be a bit of a strange post. Sending a student on their solo qualifier today was just as routine as having to brush your teeth in the morning. Sitting their waiting wondering how they fare could be described as boring. Using the time to think about ones own situation, being an instructor with aspirations of one day making it on to the flight deck. Almost pleading with God that this isnt the be all and end all of ones career. But who else gets to do what we do?
To see the elation and glee expressed when your prodigy retrurns from their endeavour is something else. It makes flying everything one hoped it would be.
We are so lucky!
Good luck to everyone in aviation.

[airpilot]

Totally agree with you mate. We are so fortunate to be able to do what we do. As an examiner its a great feelin when you tell the student that they have passed their flight test. Same with students doing their first solo's. The buzz. There are many people out in the world that are less fortunate than us and so we should be grateful for our gift. I've moaned about not having an airline job, don't anymore, it will happen.

[Sleeve Wing]

Hi Shaun.
My feelings entirely, particularly as we have had some super flying weather lately.
I've been in the business for an awfully long time and I'm still like the proverbial mother hen when one of mine is away on his qualifier.

I still get a really great gut feeling when, say, a particularly good instrument student gets it "altogether" and I seriously wonder if I could do it as well.

I've had a couple like that recently........yep, it really is a fulfilling business.
I wouldn't change it.

Rgds, Sleeve. :ok:

[stue]

THEE, best bit about my short flying life so far was my first solo. I have never had a smile on my face so big! The fact that i could be in charge of an a/c, on my own, with no one in the other seat! WOW!

You guys do a great job, keep it up! The only reason im changing my career is because of you lot, thanks! :ok:

[jetwash22]

neat! best thing ever happened to me...and the scariest. Guess all you FIs leave all your licenses and IDs onboard as proof of releasing a student....i know mine did...hehehe...

LONG LIVE FIs!!:8

[Borken]

having just had the two best days of my instructor career, I more than agree with you fellas...
SPIC-IFR with SC-tops at 2900ft clearance altitude was 3000ft....the look on the student´s face as we broke through the cover..PURE DELIGHT...and it lasted 45 minutes as we were accompagnied by our "halo-shadow" all along..

FI...never regretted it...loved it all along...wouldn´t change it for the world...

[shaun ryder]

Some great replies to my long ago post chaps! Is'nt it great!!!:) Just been up again today after some rather adverse wx conditions! What a day, flying a new type for the first time (well my student did) bugger!! However, still loving it and proud to be an FI! Keep up the good work guys and gals.
p.s... to any of you lot out there who are considering pursuing your dream, Get on it!!
We will be there to help :ok:

[OZAZTEC]

Shaun,

Well done

Its great to see a positive post for a change (with positive replies)!

It IS the BEST JOB in the world.

Paul

[Whirlybird]

Whether it's the birthday present first flight, the first solo, or getting a PPL......who else gets to fulfil people's dreams, every day of their working life. Thanks for reminding us all, shaun.

[VFE]

What I wonder is....

Once in the hallowed airline job - what makes you think it'll remain fresh and exciting everyday?

Surely there comes a point with anything desirable in life whereby it becomes the norm and the mind starts searching for fresh stimuli? Even the kudos of being a millionaire must get boring whence it becomes the norm?

The motivation to better ourselves is what makes the next step up desirable and when we lose ambition we risk sinking into the abyss but the above is food for thought.

Moral of this posting? Stop and smell the roses!

VFE.

[DB6]

As one who has moved on to airline flying from instructing I can say that for me instructing is more fun and definitely more fulfilling, although not necessarily harder work. I still instruct part-time (although mostly confined to aerobatics and examining, partly as I don't want to take work from other FIs) and will do as long as I can. The reality of instructing is simply that you cannot live on the money and even the best jobs (I used to work at JEFTS where the salary was £30k+) do not pay more than a reasonable wage. I now work for a turboprop operator with varied routes - and weather - in my part of the world (Loganair, Scotland) and that keeps the job interesting; from what I know of it medium/long haul jet flying is not the same kettle of fish and the dosh then becomes the main factor. Another thing is that, having been an instructor, you are better placed to become a training captain if/when you do go to an airline. Now that IS hard work and definitely keeps you 'interested' :eek: .

[richie-rich]

i thank you all for being so positive here. i am only training so have far to go but i have wanted to say this to an instructor but never could. i remember all the names of all my instructors so far (they have changed quite a bit due to personal preference ) and remember what their contribution has been towards me in life. really grateful to you all.

i am sure the teachers of aviation would always be looked upon as the real gods....not necessarily the airline captains and trust me, one day, i will be one. but instructors are by far the most influencing people!

richie

[Footless Halls]

What a great post and what heartening replies. I've had a fairly pleasantly eventful life of nearly half a century. Many fun times, kids, etc., but the truth is that nothing has been such an intensely rewarding experience as learning to fly and then being a pilot. And I'm nothing special - just 250 hours on SEP.

Thank you, Flying Instructors, for making it possible.

[Arctic Circle]

I recently moved on from full-time instructing to flying a turboprop for a regional airline. Despite the short sectors, different destinations and lot's of hands on flying, airline flying is a very different game. Looking back, my years of instructing (PPL, CPL, IR...) included some of the most free, satisfying and fulfilling flying I've done. I know the earnings are not so good instructing and at times it can be hard to make ends meet but make the most of it and keep up the good work!!! I will continue to instruct on a part-time basis... as long as demand exists and I am not taking students away from full-time FI's.

[18greens]

I recently moved from basic instruction to aeros trial lessons. Its great fun throwing people around the sky but I miss the student progression.

Without doubt the highs and priveledges we get and give are superb.

[Cricket23]

What you guys do is very special and I want to thank you 1 and all for being able, willing and patient for turning dreams into reality.

Take my own case. Finally, got my PPL last month (after 2 years), at the ripe old age of 45. Me, I could have cried with joy. The enthusiasm and congrats from my instructors when I passed made me seem like I was the first person ever to pass - I'm sure you're all like this. Thanks guys and girls.

But the pleasure goes beyond this to the pax's we take up. My dad my first pax. He's 85 years old, and has followed me thru each lesson. His health isn't too great, and we both had this unspoken fear that he might die before I passed.

So, joy of joys, I took him up the other day. He's now 85 years young. He was grinning like a schoolboy. He 'phoned all the relatives and hasn't stopped talking about it since. The whole experience has been like a tonic to him.

And who were there when we landed? My (now) ex-instructors, and yes they shared the joy too in his happiness.

So, thanks again, and remember, although the pays not good, the weather maybe cr@p at times, the students try and kill you, the aeroplanes on the ropey side, you really do make a difference.:D

C23

[Centaurus]

Have held both Air Force and civilian QFI ratings since 1955. It is a sheer pleasure to see one's students progress up the ladder to airline captains and Air Vice Marshals - and quite a thrill when you get a phone call from former students who say "I was your student back in....remember me?"

[Malcolm G O Payne]

You have all made my day for me! I have always looked back on my days as an FI as amongst the most rewarding days of my working life and I am so pleased to find that so many others feel the same way.

[shaun ryder]

Its all there for us, the wonder of flight.. The smell avgas (and even A1!) AGAIN, Good luck to you all, see you in the skies.

Be safe.

[DRJAD]

I had some superb instructors, both young and not so young, for my PPL and IMCR. They were able to enthuse me with their attitude and love of flying, and pass on the enthusiasm to keep learning.

Some wonderful experiences have resulted - so, thanks to them and to all of you.

Still learning, and learning ...