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Flight School confusion

Asked by: 3047 views , , , , ,
Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

Hello CFI's of the world today,

I am currently attending a part 141 school and am kind of confused by the way things are going. I want to say that I believe my flight school is trying their hardest to help me finish my ratings but the last several weeks there has seemed to be some confusion. I have tried to reach out for clarity but have not received an answer, in fact, I was told that I shouldn't have asked who I asked, even though they were the creator of the program and have encouraged us to reach out. This person never responded to my question which adds to my tension. I am sure there was just a miss communication though, you know how easily those emails get buried away. 

What I am concerned about though is that it seems that they are scheduling me for progress checks before I am even completed with the stage. I am trying my hardest to communicate what I need to complete, but I also recently changed flight instructors (which was suggested by the education coordinator because she got the vibe that we didn't vibe well, she went to my CFI and he said there was a personality conflict). I think that maybe he just never had his morning coffee or something because I always show up on time or early, am an attentive student and receive feedback that I am doing well in training. I thought he was a good flight instructor, just that maybe he didn't like me, which was fine because I was getting my training done so so what! But since it was suggested, I took the suggestion and figured it might be better to just move on. 

So now here we are about two weeks after making that change and I get put in for a progress check and the instructor ends up saying we were scheduled to do one that I am not even completed in the syllabus to take. So this is my biggest concern, that we aren't following the syllabus. How can I better explain this? If you had to complete lessons 1-5 in stage A, and 1-7 in stage B, I have completed 1-4 in stage A but no progress check, and a few lessons in stage B, and they send this instructor to give me a stage B progress check. I am confused because I am trying my hardest to communicate what I have in the syllabus, but it's like they want to make me look so good by sending me through the syllabus faster than I have completed it. I really appreciate that sentiment and their confidence in me, but I also don't want to end up moving forward and then finding out I didn't complete the syllabus properly and need to return to finish lessons at the tail end. 

So, can you tell me, am I overthinking things? How can I help the best move my training along according to the syllabus? or does the syllabus really not mean anything? 
 

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1 Answers



  1. Richard Eastman on Feb 19, 2020

    Hello Cplane …
    Nobody seems to have responded to your query. So I will.

    For starters, understand that answering this question correctly requires a great deal more information about you (as a person) and the 141 school’s curriculum as well as the types of flight instructors it retains. But the question is not really that unusual.

    Without getting into details, behavioral studies show that we “humans” come “pre-destined” (i.e. we’re born with these traits) to certain core-value sets. Every behavioral scientist has his/her own words for these core values … and for sake of brevity, I will use the Beren’s terms of Catalyst, Theorist, Improviser, and Stabilizer.

    Catalyst’s need meaning and significance related to their actions, and a unique identity.

    Theorist’s need mastery and self-control related to their actions; and stress knowledge and competence.

    Improviser’s need freedom to act on the needs of the moment; the ability to make an impact.

    Stabilizer’s need a place to contribute; to demonstrate responsibility and duty.

    Businesses tend to reflect the core value-set of the owner (or senior management). As a result, they hire people that will align themselves with the core value-sets that have made them successful. Most Part 141 schools tend to be run by Stabilizers … tend to follow the “rules” … the syllabus … and train students to be airline pilots. Most airline pilots are, by definition of the job itself, Stabilizers.

    You ask <>

    Part 141 describes regulations for flight training institutions and flight schools and the FAA monitors these schools to ensure continuity of study. Students are expected to move immediately from one stage to the next. It is a very fast-paced environment geared to get students into professional careers as soon as practical and 141 schools survive on their ability to move students rapidly through the curriculum. Part 141 schools typically implement the epitome of “contribute, demonstrate responsibility and duty” values. And if they don’t, the FAA cracks down on them.

    Without knowing you personally, my guess is that you have a different core value-set than that of both the school and the flight instructors it hires. You noted that one CFI suggested there <>. That has all the earmarks of a value-set conflict.

    You also note <>. It would appear that you were expecting a review of your work to date, while the instructor was intending to mark your progress. That also appears to be a conflict of “value-sets”.

    You might want to ask yourself if you are “striking back” at the school or the flight instructor that had the personality conflict with your query here in this forum; or if you are disassociating yourself from the reality of the need to ramp up the pace at which you need to learn to stay in step with the 141 “mandated’ curriculum!

    While I no longer teach at a Part 141 school, I am familiar with the program. And as in the skill of flying, it is sometimes necessary to put aside your own personal feelings – and focus on the need to “fly the airplane”.

    In this case, the school thinks that you should be at a specific phase level; and you probably need to get yourself there if you want to complete the program. That may mean, you will have to “self-teach” yourself the missed elements on the past phase.

    It’s important to note that while you’re dealing with the school itself, in reality, the pace set by the school is approved and expected by the FAA. You’re on the “short-course” to being an airline pilot when attending a Part 141 school – and it’s not likely to be much different at some other Part 141 school. It would/could be different at a Part 61 school or if you were working with a free-lance CFI.

    This is a personal opinion … from a 13,000-hour flight instructor; one that’s worked in Part 141 schools, Part 61 schools, and as a free-lance CFI (and run a few small airlines).

    There’s a lot more to the behavioral sciences aspect of learning to fly … and being a pilot … than the FAA recognizes or includes in its flight training programs. And there are many pilots from each of the core value-sets noted above; but they learn to fly and fly for entirely different reasons.

    Respectfully
    // Richard Eastman
    CFIIMEI : FAAST Representative

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