Making a Small Fortune

I know it has been a long while since my last post. I've been extremely busy with training, the flying club, work, work travel and family life.  Frankly, when the inspiration to write hits me it's usually been accompanied by a stronger inspiration to sleep! But I thought I would take a moment to share with you, my dear IRs, a brief update on my journey to flight instructor.

As you know, I earned my Advanced Ground Instructor certificate earlier this year. I've actually been putting it to use and providing some ground instruction. I've made almost $300 so far, a very small fortune that's paid for the extra test I had to take in order to get the certificate. I've been able to help someone prepare for the oral portion of their check ride. I could not sign them off for the practical test, I'm not a CFI yet. After I was done the Chief Pilot of the flight school this student pilot attends said I did a great job with that student. I've also spent some time with a prospective commercial pilot discussing the requirements for that certificate, aircraft performance, and managing power when using a constant speed prop.  So far I've found ground instruction quite fun and rewarding.  I've always been strong in aeronautical knowledge and it is nice to be able to share that knowledge and help others be more successful as a result. 

On the "flight" part of flight instruction, my CFI and I spent the majority of the last month or so working through all of the knowledge portions of the CFI practical test. He says he could put me up today and I'd pass the knowledge portion. He even said I talk like I wrote the book for some parts! Now all I have to do is fly.... so that's what we started to work on. I am able to teach and fly at the same time and I've even done some spectacular soft field takeoffs. On the other hand, I've been thinking so hard that my landings fell apart. I put them back together and am starting to rebuild, yet again. 

I could be done with this rating in a month or two or it could be longer. I'm told the first couple maneuvers will take a long time at this stage and then we'll get to the point that we'll be going quicker. At least by this time I know the drill... how to deal with the inevitable frustration as I don't do as good as I think I should right away on some maneuvers. I know how to move forward through that more quickly now too. I'll get there eventually. I'm not putting pressure on myself to get done in a specific time which makes the whole process more pleasant. 

As someone told me when I first started on this CFI journey - How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!