DEATH BY FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR - Advice to Students, Pilots, and Instructors

0:00 - Introduction
0:25 - Who I Am
0:57 - The Overall Issue
1:28 - The Fatal Flight
2:36 - Snapchat Screenshots
4:34 - The Flight Instructor
5:38 - 5 Hazardous Attitudes
7:54 - Advice to STUDENTS
9:36 - Advice to PILOTS
10:51 - Advice to INSTRUCTORS
12:23 - Final Thoughts

[Aviation]

I'm BLOWN AWAY by the amazing feedback and engagement on this. Over 1, 000 comments. I've spent almost the entire morning replying to as many as I can. I wish I could get to all of them. This is an incredibly important conversation in general aviation, and I deeply appreciate all of you contributing to this conversation. Let's keep it going and spread this message to as many aviators across the world as we can. Thank you! 🙌🏼 -Josh

[joshuadelacerda]

That guy had no business being a CFI, he's an embarrasment to all pilots and people in aviation. Great debrief Josh.

[catzelps]

The unfortunate irony is that kid would have ended up being a way better pilot than the instructor. He displayed more character and humility than that joke of a cfi probably did in his entire life.

[billcook]

Whenever I hear about bad flight instructors, I like to tell the story of my one and only lesson. Soon after we were in the air, the plane caught on fire. Smoke, flames, oil covering the windshield, yeah, it was bad. Not only did the instructor get us back on the ground safely, he continued teaching a lesson the whole time. His attitude was one of “what better time to demonstrate what to do in an emergency.” He was probably also thinking it a good way to keep my mind occupied instead of thinking OH MY GOD THE PLANE IS ON FIRE. For every bad instructor out there, I bet there are many great ones. And to them I say Thank You.

[thx]

42 years and 12, 000 hours later I still remember my first flight instructor’s words. They’re like parents.

[fernandorosales]

My best instructor ever was an 83 year old aerobatics instructor teaching me in a decathlon. He was a nuclear physicist and didn't need the money. Dude didn't even have a log book. He didn't care about logging time. He just loved to fly and to teach. Learned so much from that guy. I'm sure he's gone now. Wherever you are, thanks Mason. I'm still passing on the lessons I learned from you and you made my early days of flying memorable.

[PanduPoluan]

WELL SAID.

I remember that incident where a student pilot's airplane lost the right main wheel. The ATC, her instructor, and another instructor, no one went macho or belittling or condescending. They all together gently pushed her out of her comfort zone and guided her to a very good landing -- well, as good as can be with a plane that has lost a wheel. She was flying solo, close to panicking, but everyone worked together to instill confidence and calmness in her, and she survived the ordeal stronger and more passionate.

That is the kind of stories I want to hear from general aviation education.

[darrinscarpitto]

I'm not a pilot, but this needs to be said not just in this industry but many others. No matter the profession, a mentor must check his attitude and behavior at the door. The student doesn't need arrogance.

[kentd]

"Arrogant, immature and disrespectful...": deadly attitudes in the aviation world.
Thank you, Josh, for saying what needed to be said about this oh-so-preventable fatal accident.
As a 40+ year pilot and former CFI myself, if you (CFI) don't like to instruct or despise your students, get out of instructing and build your hours some other way (but don't kill those people, either).

[Steve-muoy]

My brother was a CFI. I was his first student. I was so impressed by his professionalism and ability to teach. He had found his calling and he love it. Sadly he has passed and I miss him much . Good job David!

[BrianSiskind]

This is a perfect example of how to "use your platform" for the common good. Not exploitative, anchored in universal truths, and done with reverence. Thanks Josh.

[DC-ncvt]

I had one instructor in my early training that seemed pre-occupied with personal issues and responded to my questions with an attitude. After our third flight, I took him aside and let him know who was in charge and what my expectations were. I also reminded him of how many good and willing CFIs are eager for new Students and how powerful word of mouth is in any business. No problems after that. Don’t ever be afraid to change Instructors if it isn’t working. Thanks Josh!

[PrivateCitizen]

Josh, when I was 16, I went up with an instructor who was just terrible. I didn’t touch flight controls again until I was 46. Your videos were a big part of what inspired me to get back into aviation and now I’m so close to my check ride, I can see it! What a huge difference a good flight instructor makes! I thank you and my instructors I’ve had on this renewed journey for being professional and excellent.

[bruschi]

Disgusting behavior from that "CFI"

[kingofcastlechaos]

Watching the CFI's behavior made me physically ill. Thank you for the message- well said.

[jamespitt]

I made a tough decision to replace my instructor the day after I learned about the tragedy you referenced. You really MUST learn from someone you're confident in and who is a good fit. This is a fantastic commentary on this heinous even in aviation history and on the system that allowed it. It's a very random process, in many ways. God bless you for your candor and boldness. Well done. This isn't the last we've heard about this horrible event.

[lisaw]

I don't fly, but I'm a motorcyclist and I'm fascinated and shocked by how well this applies to motorcycle instructors too. There's much to learn from the aviation mindset.

[mutherbird]

At 75yo, retired, and living on SS, I made the decision to cease flying, simply because doing my "90 day VFR currency" flight was not enough to keep me proficient, and I knew it better than anyone else. My CFII is still current, and I can still exercise that privilege (even with my expired medical) so long as the person I fly with is completely legal as PIC. Just know, I agree with you 1000%, and applaud this post from you. I soloed at 16. My instructor (a WW2 B-24 pilot who later flew F-100's) was a god to me! I dare say, he was my very first role model!!! Across the years, I've had many other instructors...some of them quite good, and experienced the dark cloud of equals to your subject flight instructor a few times Once, I got rusty with my Instrument skills, and scheduled an instructor to accompany me in a Piper Arrow for a night flight from Concord CA to Sacramento. He was exhibiting many of the traits you have described. While taxing to the active, I key'd Ground and cancelled IFR, with request to taxi back to the FBO.

[jannepeltonen]

Josh - if this was a speech delivered at a general aviation conference, I'd be starting a standing ovation for you right now. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say here, and the clarity & passion with which you delivered it was phenomenal.

Keep up the good work, and clear skies to you!

[gozur]

Great video. Right on point.

I am a retired military pilot, current airline captain, and I maintain my CFII.

There is no better feeling than sending a student off on their first solo and seeing the huge smile on their face when they get back. I do not instruct to build time, I do it because aviation has been very good to me and this is my way of giving back. I don’t even charge for my time, aviation has been that good to me. I do it for the love of it.

Having said that, as CFI’s, we are not only responsible for our students, but also for the lives of their future passengers and the people on the ground they fly over.

There is a law of primacy in aviation. You will always remember the first things you are taught. When the crap is hitting the fan, you will always go back to the fundamentals you learned first. That puts a pretty big burden on us CFI’s, and we better take our role seriously.

So, as CFI’s, we have a great responsibility to uphold. That is why when I first heard about this accident it made my blood boil.

I will not go into further detail, because you explained it beautifully.

Keep up the good work!