Flight Training - June 2023 - 49

ADVANCED PILOT DAY IN THE LIFE
BY ALICIA HERRON
ALASKAN CFI
OPENING DOORS TO THE
LAST FRONTIER
MOST PILOTS DREAM OF FLYING IN ALASKA AT LEAST ONCE. CHRIS PALMER,
proprietor of the flight training business Angle of Attack, helps people live
that dream year-round instructing in his Cessna 172 out of Homer Airport
(PAHO). While the principles of flight instruction remain the same no
matter where you teach, the reality of flying in Alaska demands extra focus
in several areas.
" Every territory has its challenges, " says Palmer. " Up here it's a heavy
focus on cross-country flight planning because you're in the middle
of nowhere. Weather becomes a huge thing because of that, and good
decision making as well. If a student doesn't really have a well-rounded
understanding of it all by the time they have a private pilot certificate,
they could really get in trouble right away. I work hard to make sure they
have a good head on their shoulders, which all CFIs should do no matter
where they instruct. There's even the survival aspect if you needed to stop
somewhere. [Flying in Alaska] has a lot of little gotchas. "
Palmer gladly shares his expertise on how to avoid these gotchas
with his students. Pilots flying in Alaska contend with steep terrain, the
often rapidly changing weather, limited radar services, canyon flying, and
off-pavement operations-all factors that are normal there but much rarer
in the Lower 48. Diversions because of changing weather will likely take
pilots to a remote strip rather than a cozy FBO with a waiting crew car.
Those with fresh private pilot certificates in Alaska are more likely
to use aviation as a tool rather than a hobby, and they might fly into a
private gravel airfield before they go to a pancake breakfast in a hangar
or at an FBO.
Palmer is somewhat unusual in the instructor world in that he is a
career CFI rather than the typical time builder. And while instructing is
just part of his Angle of Attack business, he says he always goes back to
instructing because he loves it.
" You can be in it for the money or hours, but you have to also be
in it for the people....It's a very emotionally complex endeavor. Lots of
psychology involved. And I still just really enjoy having breakthroughs
CHRIS PALMER
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IN ALASKA
QUALIFICATIONS: CFI certificate
WORK/LIFE BALANCE: " Definitely a difficult
one because I have to work around student
work schedules. "
FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB: " To be a part
of someone achieving their dream is just
really cool and fulfilling. "
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB: " I have
little tolerance for people who are wishywashy.
You're either in it and ready to do it or
you're not. If you keep canceling lessons or
you show up to the lesson unprepared, that's
really frustrating. "
PAY: $50 to 60 per hour, depending on experience.
Palmer charges $100/hour for his time,
which he notes is low for his experience level.
with people and I really thrive on the fundamentals
and the law of primacy, especially when it comes
to stick and rudder stuff. I really enjoy still teaching
landings. " FT
alicia.herron@aopa.org
FLIGHT TRAINING JUNE 2023
49
CHRIS PALMER
Flight Training - June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - June 2023
