There is an important, time-tested, nugget of wisdom many pilots fail to fully appreciate: “You can buy more training, but you must *earn* experience!” Real “earned experience” is what makes fully functioning, confident – and safe – pilots. Experience also provides the humility that “breaks the chain” in the accident cycle and compels a pilot to say “no” or “enough” when the situation gets dicey (I already know how this story ends). Experience changes the outcome of a flight from a deadly accident to a delay or diversion, empowering dynamic decision-making. Experience is also the “secret sauce” that makes a brand new CFI into an “effective educator” CFI-PRO™ can accelerate this transformation.
In our modern accelerated flight training environment, pilots at all levels complete all their “solo” time with PDPIC (performing duties of pilot in command). Many experienced pilots are unaware that new flight training candidates are now flying all of their “solo” time with a CFI in the other seat. And this PDPIC is a totally different experience from the “real solo” time historically required. PDPIC does not build real “experience” (and certainly not confidence and resilience). Pilots and CFIs “graduating” with only 10 hours of real solo are not fully formed pilots, much less capable of sharing any real “experience.” Similarly, instrument-rated pilots, and even ATPs, hold instrument privileges without ever being in a cloud (“blue-sky flight training“).
Mentoring is a great way to “leverage experience” (Learn from others “adventures”). This also builds a library of “stoic realism” into your decision-making process. Some real challenges must be understood and managed to ensure safety in aviation. Aviation is a “high-consequence activity” where bad things can happen in a hurry.
Unfortunately, aviation social media reveals instead a modern attitude of “unicorns and rainbows” in the piloting metaverse: “Dude, where is my AirBus, I paid my money.” SAFE piloting requires commitment and hard work too. New pilots and CFIs must commit to building real experience and leveraging mentorship. They need to embrace learning with some humility as a lifetime project. Our SAFE Instagram: @safepilots (please follow) emphasizes the necessity for building these essential character traits. Safe piloting and effective education are not just a pile of paperwork and good times. Success in aviation requires commitment, “command authority,” resilience, and some hard work too. The SAFE Mentor Connector Program provides (FREE) senior CFI and pilot mentoring to all who engage.
Our SAFE CFI-PRO™ course specifically targets newly certificated CFIs. This training provides the “missing manual” for new CFIs. FAA training and certification only ensure that a new CFI is “safe in the right seat.” CFI-PRO™ creates an “effective educator.” This program fills in the necessary blanks that build on the CFI temporary level to help transform a new CFI from “good to great.” Ironically, some of the habits and techniques taught to pass the FAA practical test must be immediately “unlearned” to be effective in the right seat.
SAFE CFI-PRO™ was built on an innovative FAA program (yes, that could seem like an oxymoron 🤣) from the 1990s. At that time, new CFIs were going to the right seat of airliners with only 300-400 hours total. This FAA program reduced the local flight training accident rate in the target study group by 60% in just two years.
Join us Sunday March 10th at 8pm for an online program describing the origin story of this training of this program; lots of free tips and proven techniques to make you a better CFI. This new SAFE program will run every other Sunday at 8pm ET. “SAFE Strategies LIVE.” The plan is to share lots of invited guests and “leveraged experience!” Your suggestions and comments are welcome as always. Fly safely out there (and often)!
The above article was written by a live CFI/DPE (not an AI program 🤖) This is usually made obvious by the unfortunate typos 🙀
See “SAFE SOCIAL WALL” For more Resources
Join SAFE and get great benefits. You get 1/3 off ForeFlight and your membership supports our mission of increasing aviation safety by promoting excellence in education. Our FREE SAFE Toolkit App puts required pilot endorsements and experience requirements right on your smartphone and facilitates CFI+DPE teamwork. Our newly reformulated Mentoring Program is open to every CFI (and those working on the rating) Join our new Mentoring FaceBook Group.
Read our March “SAFE Strategies” for great resources and ideas. See the special landing page on survival kits and techniques. There is also a dedicated landing page with extensive free CFI Resources.
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