CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 4 - 20

CFI TIPS
I RECENTLY ATTENDED A WORKSHOP ABOUT
LEADERSHIP, AND AS I LISTENED TO SPEAKERS
TALK ABOUT INSPIRING OTHERS AND BEING
COMMITTED, INNOVATIVE, AND ACCOUNTABLE,
IT DAWNED ON ME THAT THESE LEADERSHIP
TRAITS ARE ALSO WHAT MAKE CFIS STAND OUT
AS EXCEPTIONAL IN THEIR FIELD. There are

examples of leadership everywhere you look-for
example, in the workplace, politics, educational
institutions, and aviation. As flight instructors
we have a leadership role in the aviation
community and an obligation to serve our clients
to the best of our ability.
These thoughts about leadership and CFIs were
reinforced as I read about the flight instructors
and flight schools who earned AOPA's 2019
Flight Training Experience Awards. There
were common themes among what the voters
said made the winners extraordinary, and it
seems to me that what they all share are quality
leadership traits.
In addition to the many public examples of both
good and bad leadership, you likely have your
own experiences to draw from. Think of the best

leader you've interacted with, and consider how
you can emulate her as you instruct others. And,
likewise, what can you learn from poor leaders
in order to avoid subjecting your clients to
subpar instruction?
The best leader I've worked for entrusted
me with complex tasks before I even had
confidence in myself to do them. He challenged
me and believed in me, and that made me
grow both professionally and personally. I
encourage you to be that type of leader to the
clients you instruct. Set high expectations
and believe in your students, just like awardwinning flight instructor Christopher Kreske
of Goldsboro, North Carolina, according to
survey feedback from his clients. Don't lower
your expectations; instead, when presenting
complex tasks be creative and find new ways
of presenting lessons that resonate with your
clients. It's up to us, as flight instructors, to
structure a program that is tailored to the
needs and learning styles of our students so
they can be successful. Don't give up on your
clients, and they won't give up on themselves.

THINK OF THE BEST LEADER YOU'VE INTERACTED WITH, AND CONSIDER HOW
YOU CAN EMULATE HER AS YOU INSTRUCT OTHERS.

To be a leader in the community and
demonstrate their commitment, flight schools
should be welcoming and have a "professional
environment" just like AeroVenture Flight
Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. I once
walked into a flight school where there were
two employees in the office and neither
acknowledged my presence at all. Not very
welcoming. At another location, the owner was
sitting in the reception area with his boots up
on the front desk. He did speak with me, but it
wasn't a very professional first impression. As
leaders, we should take our role seriously. What
do you want clients to think about you and your
flight school on their first visit? Maybe it's time
to make some changes to ensure your clients
have the first impression you imagine. They
deserve to be welcomed and to interact with a
professional staff throughout their flight training
journey with your school.
And remember that you can have a good time
while being professional. Flight training is
serious business, but it sure is fun, too! Flying is
enjoyable, but sometimes in the midst of difficult
lessons the fun can go by the wayside.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/october/16/top-schools-instructors-earn-2019-flight-experience-awards https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/october/16/top-schools-instructors-earn-2019-flight-experience-awards

CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 4

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 4