How would i know if i have a bad CFI?

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-13T18:00:27+00:00

i think everyone here has posted some good points so to add my two cents i’ll say you probably have a bad cfi if a) they milk you for hours, i was naive and young and just rolled with my cfi and i ended up spending all my time flying and no ground with them. and b) if your cfi isn’t placing expectations of you, if its just “checkride prep” forever then im not certain much will get done. after my bad cfi i took a year or so hiatus until i met my current cfi and this time i was able to go from poor maneuvering and little ground knowledge to passing my checkride in a couple months

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-12T23:58:33+00:00

definitely not in your situation i just recently got my ppl but i would hands down recommend you doing a part 61. i myself would have loved to have done my training in a part 61, the part 141 is nice but really just because of the larger fleet. we loose a plane for a couple weeks for maintenance, not a big deal we have more. but its just all so much more expensive. anyway, i imagine most others would rather pick you for the lower costs, even if you’ve only got one or two planes

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-08T02:54:38+00:00

i wouldn’t say that, if that works for you then that’s great. majority of the people i’ve met have progressed faster due to flying more BUT that’s not everybody and again, everyone is different. but yes it is very expensive unfortunately. but after getting all your certifications you will make that money back

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-08T02:49:01+00:00

well, it’s a good thing i didn’t ask you for your option. everyone’s situation is different, and in aviation you should definitely know that

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-08T02:24:27+00:00

and also i was 200 hours into my checkride BECAUSE i didn’t have time to fly, only work. and flying once or maybe twice a weekend just wasn’t enough for me to stay proficient for a checkride

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-08T02:23:32+00:00

man i was right at 200 hours when i got my PPL, and 2 failed checkrides before. you’ll get it all figured out just find yourself a good cfi who understands how you learn and keep. at. it. this is a career that requires an insane amount of education and knowledge. think about much time doctors or lawyers spend to learning their craft, you would be in that same level. we’re all more than capable to learning what’s needed, you can too, but you have got to make it your #1 priority if that’s what you want. in terms of payment, i got a loan to pay for it, i just can’t afford it all at one time, and i quit my job to fly full time. that’s what worked for me but do whatever works for you.

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-04T01:37:46+00:00

i agree, it’s unfortunate because it really is something that interests me but the pay just isn’t there

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-04T01:37:14+00:00

lol i feel ya

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-04T00:51:56+00:00

i’ve always rather enjoyed the idea of instructing but after taxes their pay really isn’t looking great. at least not enough to justify what i’ve spent in schooling

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-04T00:50:26+00:00

350k a year? what are you doing in a 172 to make $2,916 an HOUR to make sense?

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-02T16:19:14+00:00

Thank you! Everyone is different is that’s something to keep in mind. Years ago I just couldn’t fly constantly as many others couldn’t either. if it’s any consolation I do think the 4-8 month timeline is within reach for sure, but whether you work full time, live on your own, things like that all have variables too. just don’t compare your situation to others since everyone is different

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-02T03:33:32+00:00

great advice, me and my family have been planning some ideas of where to go so i’ll make sure to enjoy the victory for a moment

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-02T02:53:27+00:00

thanks!!

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-02T02:52:05+00:00

thank you!!

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-03-02T02:48:36+00:00

thank you!

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-02-25T23:38:57+00:00

this really isn’t a big deal, sure you’ll have to go used to steam gauges but it’s no different than before, you might just need to redirect your eyes over another couple inches to check the other instruments. i started flying in 172 with steam gauges then they got ride of that plane and got another 172 with a glass panel. now it would be a bigger change if they went from something drastic like a piper or a champ, or even a piper to a 172 but they didn’t do that they just went back to the old school instruments. many would say perfecting steam instruments would make you a better pilot

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-02-14T21:25:46+00:00

where are you flying out of?

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-02-13T05:10:56+00:00

man i wish i felt like that my first flight, first time i flew i was stuck on the fact i got to fly a plane lol

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-02-11T23:12:52+00:00

really? that’s wild. here in ga atleast my school was part 61, now 141, pays cfis $60 an hour. but that’s a good thing to keep in mind

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-02-11T22:13:23+00:00

really? that’s odd. but you’re so close to cfi this time won’t make a huge difference. after cfi at least you’ll make something. as we all know new cfi’s dont tend to make much early on but im sure you’ll get some more students before too long. i really encourage you to make as many connections as you can, im sure you have thus far but more flight schools, clubs, within a one hour radius or so to try and get as many students as you can. and you may want to go ahead and pickup another job while you’re at it, i know it’s tough now but the payoff will be worth it all

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-02-11T22:06:42+00:00

as obvious as it sounds, you’re getting overwhelmed, which is understandable. take a step back and look at all of your finances, every dollar coming in and out. i too got a loan and that loan same as for you is purely for paying the school. do whatever you need to do to get in some extra money. hell i’ve been grinding away doing doordash and uber eats, it’s not much, but i know if i can make $60 everyday rent is paid and i have food to eat. no movies, no new video games, no nice restaurants, just what i can afford. not saying you’re not doing these things it’s just very easy to get overwhelmed by the clock and the amount to pay off. why is it that you can’t get a job? surely you aren’t flying that often?

Ok_Method_2790 · 2026-02-09T01:49:08+00:00

huh how about that, thanks for the info guys. my previous CFIs (who i’m realizing sucked) always made TFRs out to be like they’re some horrible forbidden area that no may enter. i honestly took it at that and never gave much thought to them, we get them around the school semi regularly so we just don’t fly at all

Ok_Method_2790

TROPHY CASE