Cockpit Confidentiality

This former student has experienced his fair share of embarrassing moments in the airplane.  One incident that features prominently on my list of aerial faux paus is the time I botched a landing during one of my solos while my CFI looked on.  My plane bounced not once, not twice, but five times before a I finally realized that a “go around” was the correct response.  The mistake earned me a harsh critique from my CFI and some “retraining” with them before permitting me to solo again.  On a subsequent occasion, I got lost in MVFR conditions directly over the airfield.  I circled for twenty minutes between recognizable landmarks to the north and south of the airport, frantically searching for the runway.  After several embarrassing circuits, my instructor finally radioed me, “Josh, quit looking out at the horizon and look straight down!”  A gentle bank to my left and a glance underneath the plane finally brought the field into view and I landed several minutes later – relieved but on the receiving end of yet more constructive criticism.  Additional training flights followed with my instructor that emphasized effective pilotage and VOR navigation.  Learning to fly is difficult, but every student’s journey is replete with embarrassing but “teachable moments.”  And as embarrassing as these stories are to recall, my instructor never shared them with anyone else at the airfield.  Feedback occurred behind a closed door and at a volume that left no doubt in my mind that she intended to preserve the trust we had built up to that point. 

Unfortunately, confidentiality is not an observable norm within either the aviation or education industries.  After recently passing through a busy FBO with an active Part 141 program, I overheard several unflattering anecdotes from a group of frustrated CFIs in the main lobby.  The chief instructor at the front desk spent several minutes chastising one of their students – who wasn’t present – for their inability to control their bladder during an initial training flight.  Their story was followed by laughter and more probing questions from every listener feeding on the drama.  While the story itself is not uncommon – new students are often nervous – their inclusion of the student’s name in the story crossed a professional boundary. 

Teaching can be a frustrating enterprise – no matter the industry we instruct in.  Students can be slow to adapt.  Some will be overcome by anxiety.  Others might prove quick, but then spoil the atmosphere with their arrogance.  A small minority may even find the gumption to challenge their instructor’s authority from time-to-time, requiring an immediate attitude adjustment.  Your patience will be tested!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying instructors should we carry on like automatons – devoid of human feelings.  We require a compassionate ear from time-to-time if we are to preserve our own sanity.  Swapping stories is also a valuable way to learn from others’ mistakes, sparing yourself frustration later on. 

But where I’ll take issue with the above CFI recalling of a student’s need to relieve themselves in the plane was how they did it:  in the open; in front of a group of colleagues, other students, and strangers; personal details provided; and with emphasis.  Because the CFI had violated any trust they had built with the student in question, there is now a very real possibility that the story might come back around in interactions with other CFIs and students.  How might that student feel and respond?  Might they grow mistrusting of the instructor, thus degrading the learning process?  Would they reply in kind by sharing their unflattering stories about the instructor with other students?  Could they possibly take their business elsewhere and share their negative experience with other would-be customers?  Might the instructor’s colleagues – who are laughing along out of social expectation – ultimately lose respect for their condescending supervisor?  While violating someone’s confidence is bad manners and undermines the learning process, it is also bad for business and a clear sign of a toxic environment.  I doubt the instructor had any of those in mind or was unaware of how the story made they or the school look.

The Fundamentals of Instruction are a worthy of mention here.  Listed within are the “responsibilities of all aviation instructors”:  maintaining standards, promoting safety, helpfulness, ensuring adequacy, and demonstrating professionalism.[1]  The above CFI’s negative commentary was anything but helpful and revealed a wholly unprofessional attitude in front of his subordinate instructors.  Yes, teaching is a tough business, but a bad day on the flight deck or troublesome student isn’t an excuse to become the subject of a story yourself.  Even if the story didn’t include your name.

Fly on Folks,

Josh Meyer      

[1] Aviation Instructor’s Handbook. FAA. Faa.gov, 2022, Chapter 8:  https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/aviation_instructors_handbook/10_aih_chapter_8.pdf