Re: Instructor training
Scroggs I wish it was only that easy... Being a European doing FAA training, I am in a tight situation with my Visa possibilities. Chances for getting issued a work Visa by an employer are unfortunately slim.
Before I started training at the school from private to FI, I was told they could issue me a work visa with employment. That they would tell me when I got my CPL if they thought they would hire me as an instructor based on my skill, motivation, character and the time it took for me to get the licenses.
B2N2 I greatly appreciate your reply. I was hoping someone with similar experience as my chief instructor could shine some light on my situation.
Having read your reply now several times, I think perhaps all your assumptions to some degree are valid, but I also realize there are always at least two sides of every story and that you only get one perspective here through me. Let me answer your questions/comments:
* Yes he was right about the mixture, but it was something I didn't think about at the time and I'm the experience stronger now. Personally from what I have been taught about the power plant, I wouldn't let a healthy engine detonate for that long being airborne in regards to safety, but I am no mechanic. However, I admit it probably did produce a lasting impression.
* I did slip the airplane. My impression at the time was that a go-around was not an option. In light of the past, I probably would have continued climbing not to red-line the engine and turned back towards our home base with a 8000' runway, but yes - it was a tough call, especially during a check-ride when you constantly concern yourself about "what is the best action to take".
* Regarding the regulations, this is probably where I really have the most doubt when to interact. In theory, I should have no doubt, but during for instance simulated engine failure and a nearby gravel road is your best option - should you add in power when getting too close to vehicles?
I think it is a really good learning experience to sometimes glide all the way down before you go-around, but I don't feel comfortable when you see cars starting to slow down and make room for you at 200' altitude.
Another example was when I had the simulated stuck throttle and wanted to keep the pattern wide to make smooth turns, he told me to keep it tight and I had to bank about 60 degrees and being at an altitude less than 1500' AGL, there is another bust.
* Before I started my instructor training, I got along with greatly with the guy, but I can't tell if I still do. Some of the things he told me during my debrief when he failed me was in my opinion downright unprofessional, even self-contradictory and gave me a lot of doubt if I even felt like continuing my instructor training.
Now I'm not only during my FI training to build hours. I sincerely believe it can improve and even add many good traits, and greatly improve your overall professionalism as a pilot.
* The very first thing I did was to talk to friends and co-students about my flight. What surprised me was that there was a lot who had similar experiences with this guy, but who only told me now after I had shared my story. It gave me some degree of relief, but at the same time it scared me too.
Now, my choices are: I can either go talk to the owner of the school, or I can ride off the verbal punches and try to do even better next time bearing in mind, that I did pass the check after all.
Let’s say he is the "I AM THE BOSS" kind of guy, what is the best way in your experience to cope with a person like that?