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It's an overwhelming process for a student to step through flight training whether they're getting their first certificate or adding a rating later on. They are new to this part of the process, and they're leaning on their flight instructors to teach them, to guide them, and to mentor them. After a deadly crash in Kentucky, photos and videos from the flight instructor before and during the accident flight surfaced, revealing more about the relationship between student and teacher. CFIs are a crucial part of flight training, providing instruction as well as support as students begin their aviation journey. Learn the importance of finding the right flight instructor and how, as a flight instructor, you can provide your students with the best experience.RELATED STORY:Pilot reported 'getting blown around like crazy' in extreme turbulence before deadly crash
On September 27, 2023 a Piper PA-28-161 was destroyed when it penetrated a supercell thunderstorm in Ohio County, Kentucky. The flight instructor and student pilot were killed. The accident occurred during a night cross-country flight under a Part 91 instructional flight. ADS-B data showed the departure from Bowling Green-Woodhurst Airport (BWG) around 21:55, climbing to 4,500 ft MSL, en route to Owensboro/Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) on a VFR flight plan. The aircraft attempted to request an IFR clearance, remarked about severe turbulence with the air traffic controller, was advised by ATC to make an immediate turn to the east to get away from the weather, but then radar and radio contact was lost. Relatively quickly after the accident, a screen recording surfaced and within a few hours it was already on the news and in the hands of the FAA. The screen recording is of the flight instructor's Snapchat - he was taking photos and videos before and during the accident flight that revealed a dynamic between him and the student pilot. Based off of the photos and videos taken by the flight instructor prior to the accident, the student appeared to be aware of his weak areas, whatever those may have been, and was humble enough to address that openly. Regardless, the CFI then mocked his humility.Positive Qualities of an instructor include challenging you, and stretching your comfort zone and knowledge a little more in each lesson, doing so in an encouraging, professional, and respectful manner. Feedback and criticism should always be constructive, never destructive. If your instructor is chronically beating you down with insults, passive-aggressive jabs and a disrespectful attitude (i.e. destructive criticism), you are well within your rights to communicate with them about that: tell them that you're not a fan of the way they deliver negative feedback to you, get their thoughts on it and have a two-way conversation about it.From the FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook
If they're not receptive and blow you off, go to their boss. If they're the owner of the operation, then ask around and shop for a different school, or switch instructors. You're the customer. You are paying them. Research them, ask around, ask them about their career and experience, google their name to see if they've been fired from other flight schools and if so, why? You're trusting your life to this instructor, both when they're in that seat next to you and when you're signed off and flying solo with their taught habits, so get to know them and advocate for yourself if you have to.
As for CFIs, it is your duty to be the best role model you can be to other pilots and students. Use conservative judgment, and make safety a ritual, not a talking point. Be disciplined in your flying. You don't always have an instructor there to give you feedback on your behavior or judgment, so it's up to you to hold yourself accountable to be the safest pilot you know. Fly with other pilots who you respect often, and be open to feedback in the cockpit - just remember that not all feedback is good feedback - be a critical thinker. Go up with a flight instructor more often than your flight review requires you to, and take recurrent training seriously. Don't limit your recurrent training to the bare minimum that the regs require - you owe it to yourself, and your passengers to be more than a bare-minimum aviator. Pilots are ambassadors to aviation just as much as instructors are - be a respectable aviator, never stop training, employ safety-centric habits in your flying, and be a positive role model for new pilots… and old pilots too for that matter.From the FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook
The Law of Primacy is another piece of the fundamentals of instructing curriculum - it states: "Primacy, the state of being first, often creates a strong, almost unshakable, impression." Students are absorbing everything you say and do, habits and attitudes, the good and the bad. A CFI's job isn't simply to bark at a student when they screw up, log the hours, collect their money and schedule the next time.If you're going to use your instructor certificate as a stepping stone to a flying career, that's fine, that great! But, take it seriously, because your actions and conduct are directly affecting other people's lives and the pursuit of their own career and dreams. Put yourself in each of your students' shoes and ask: what kind of experience am I giving these students? Even better, ask your students to give their honest feedback about you and the services you are hired to provide to them. Be ready for constructive criticism - don't get defensive, hear them out, and have an adult conversation about it. Don't let your own hazardous attitudes put a stop to a constructive conversation, or prevent it altogether.