This post is the fourth of a series written by Jason, from www.m0a.com. He describes how it is for an instructor to fly with a licensed pilot when. I wrote one about the same thing seen from the pilot point of view for his blog. Check the links at the end of this post.

As an instructor it is a pleasure to fly with a student of yours again. You could say the pressure is off, but that is the wrong way to look at it. You still must maintain professionalism and that can be hard for an instructor especially after your student has just passed his or her checkride. Not becoming friends with a student at-least for me is nearly impossible.

Even when I get back in the cockpit with a freshly crowned private pilot, my instructor instincts still kick in. I notice the small things, maybe a tiny slip up here, or muffed radio call there. But the point is they’re a safe pilot and I as an instructor need to enjoy being chauffeured around.

I try to always maintain a very professional atmosphere in the cockpit. I don’t ask for “Yes sir” “no sir” but no cutting up or goofing off especially in the cockpit. This is hard after building such a relationship with your student.

After sharing such a moment as passing a checkride with a student you can’t help but smile when you correct them. Maybe you’re just flying to go get lunch or starting your instrument training. Either way an instructors teaching instincts will be there.

Click here to read about the same thing from the pilot perspective from Vincent, from plasticpilot.net

Click here to read the previous posts in this series: First flight – First solo – The checkride