CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 12
CFI Commentary
WOrkINg A full sCHEDulE Of grOuND AND flIgHT lEssONs
AT rANDOm HOurs Of THE DAy AND NIgHT Is THE NOrm fOr
mANy CfIs AND, If NOT mANAgED prOpErly, CAN CAusE A lOT
Of sTrEss-A subTlE buIlDup Of COrTIsOl THAT ImpAIrs Our
CONCENTrATION, mEmOry, AND DECIsION-mAkINg skIlls.
Add ground lessons to our schedule. We tend to
cram as many students into our flight schedule as
possible instead of balancing our workload with
ground lessons-understandable while we're
trying to build flight hours. However, by planning
and scheduling ground lessons we provide an
opportunity to polish our teaching skills (which
can ward off stress and boredom), support our
income when the fleet is grounded, and offer our
students a more meaningful learning experience.
Lunch breaks are often sacrificed while
instructing at a busy school. Instead of snacking
on candy bars, cheese crackers, and sodas between
lessons (which can impair our brain's peak
performance), let's try low-carb, no- or low-sugar
snacks like nuts, seeds, low-glycemic fruit, and
water; these can help curb our appetite while
preventing rapid insulin spikes that result in a
sense of tiredness and lethargy.
Sleep all night, preferably in a comfortable bed.
This is easier said than done, especially when a
full day of giving dual ends at midnight and our
next lesson starts at sunrise. Pilot lounges and
cat naps on FBO couches and recliners have their
place in the life of a full-time CFI, but they're no
substitute for a good night's sleep that revitalizes
metabolism, memory, and body.
Take breaks and exercise. Lack of exercise
contributes to mental fatigue, which is further
exacerbated by constant vigilance during flight
lessons, and mental fatigue drains our bodies of the
physical energy required to exercise. While this may
seem like an incurable cycle, taking two- or three-
minute breaks between lessons to deliberately and
deeply breathe in fresh air and stretch our muscles
can quickly rejuvenate mind and body.
Flight instructing is a very rewarding experience,
but if we're not maintaining or improving our
health it's only a matter of time before we'll
succumb to boredom or burnout. If we're going to
succeed in growing the pilot population, we have a
responsibility as CFIs to be in good health so that
our minds are more alert, our teaching is more
effective, and our students are more engaged.
I'd like to hear your successes or challenges of
living a healthy flight instructor lifestyle. Use the
comments tab below to share your experience.
Paul Deres is the Air Safety Institute's Director of
Education, and holds CFI and A&P certificates.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Vol. 4, Issue 3
A Question of the Mind
Safety Quiz: A Day in the Sun
CFI Commentary: To Your Health
CFI Tips: Stall Commandments
ASI Message: It's the Basics
Accident Case Study: In Too Deep
Safety Seminar: Weather Challenge
Safety Spotlight: Caveat Mentor
ASI News: Champion of Public Benefit Flying
CFI Tools: Airspace "On the Go" with e-Flash Cards
Chief's Corner: Focus on What's Important
Did You Know? ASI Safety Presentations at your Command
Pilot Safety Announcement: V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Vol. 4, Issue 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 2
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - A Question of the Mind
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 4
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 5
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 6
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 7
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 8
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - Safety Quiz: A Day in the Sun
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - CFI Commentary: To Your Health
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 11
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 12
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 13
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - CFI Tips: Stall Commandments
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 15
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 16
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 17
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - ASI Message: It's the Basics
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - Accident Case Study: In Too Deep
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 20
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - Safety Seminar: Weather Challenge
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - Safety Spotlight: Caveat Mentor
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 23
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 24
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 25
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - ASI News: Champion of Public Benefit Flying
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - CFI Tools: Airspace "On the Go" with e-Flash Cards
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - Chief's Corner: Focus on What's Important
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 29
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 30
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - 31
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 4, Issue 3 - Pilot Safety Announcement: V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N.
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