If you’ve caught the flying bug or you’re looking out the window and it’s a nice day and you’re dreaming of flying, go take a flight!  If you’re contemplating enrolling in a training course, but haven’t fully committed to the lifestyle or investment, you can still go take a flight!  If you’re trying to decide between a bike ride or round of golf and flying, go take a flight! (Yes, it’s more fun!)  In fact, you can take flight after flight after flight.  After all, it’s about having fun.  And while it really can be this easy, there are still some important choices to me made that will have a profound effect on your future flying and even your desire to come back again.

Your flight instructor will influence your flying for the rest of your flying days.  Your thought processes, instincts and your approach to aeronautical decision making and judgment are shaped by your flight instructor whether consciously or not. These influences and early habits you’ll develop are so vitally important and so closely linked with your safety, it would be a mistake not to be equipped with some parameters and insight from which you can evaluate the instruction you’re being provided.

We’ve spent some time discussing the traits of a good flight school. And while a quality flight school is also critically important to your success, it will be the flight instructor who will be your most important teammate in reaching your flying goals.

Do you need to be an expert in aviation training to choose a good flight instructor - absolutely not.  I’m sure for the majority of us we weren’t medical experts when choosing a doctor; or legal experts when choosing an attorney; or building experts when choosing a contractor.  We choose experts to provide us services in these various fields through referrals, reputation and most importantly, instincts – what feels right to you.  And while this statement may be oversimplifying things a bit, get to know your instructor and you’ll learn a lot.

A few qualities to consider…

Professionalism – there are many qualities and behaviors that combine to create a sense of professionalism, but most importantly, your instructor should be knowledgeable, prepared and have a sincere interest in your success. A professional flight instructor will look polished and professional.  A professional will be punctual courteous and you will have a feeling of safety and confidence.

Enthusiasm – enthusiasm is infectious.  You’ll always be motivated to come to the airport and fly with someone who shares your passion and interest in flying.  When considering enthusiasm, it also relates to the instructor’s enthusiasm for your personal flying goals and achievements.

Personality – personalities are unique and you will undoubtedly mesh better with certain instructors based on their life experiences and approach to learning.  Instructors are trained to be adaptable so it is easier to find a personality fit than it may seem.  Again, the key is for you to feel comfortably in the relationship and feel good about each flight and be motivated to return.

The take away – go take a flight or give someone a flight!  You’ll get to know the instructors and have a lot of fun in the process.