Deepak Mahajan started flying since 1976 on gliders, hang gliders, light aircraft and microlight aircraft. As a professional flying instructor since 1990, he has trained many hundreds of pilots on microlight aircraft. He is a Ground Examiner and a Flight Examiner approved by the CAA to conduct written exams and flight tests for the National Private Pilot's License. He is a full time Flying Instructor with the sole objective of teaching you to fly. His Motto is "My Business is Making Better Pilots"

selecting your instructor (some notes to help the new flying student)

Your instructor is the most essential part of your flight-training program. An interview and perhaps demonstration flight can be very deceptive. Flying with the first person to say 'hello' has a relatively high element of chance. First select the airport from which to fly. You are more likely to fly more often if the field is convenient. What kind of airport and how busy is not a major consideration. Perhaps the field selection may be a choice between several airports.

You might want to interview your instructor in a non-flying situation over coffee. Find out where they trained and from whom. Ask what are they planning with their flying career and just how their teaching you fits into the picture. If the instructor is building hours for another occupation you might look elsewhere. All instructors are different and changing instructors is always an option you should hold open. Better to make the changes, once considered, sooner than later. Ask why is the instructor an instructor. Is the instructor working for you or for himself or is another skimming some of his pay? Is the planned program designed to give you economy and achievement? If the instructor charges for telling 'war stories', the talking can become expensive.

What you are looking for is communication skills, experience, dedication and professionalism. You want an instructor who is willing to fly you in "real life" conditions, beyond the home airfield rather than just ideal weather. You are looking beyond theory for practical knowledge and applications not always available in textbooks. Basically, you are looking for a communicator with knowledge, creativity, discipline, patience with the ability to determine weaknesses and strengths.

The last major consideration is time. An instructor who is not available is like not having one at all. As a student, you must not begin flying unless you have both the money and time required for learning efficiently. You should demand that the instructor have both time and available aircraft. Reliability is essential. Be on time and give the instructor only two shots at being late. Let him know this during the interview. Waiting is what makes old age.

Teachers, regardless of what they teach, are the ladder you need to reach your goal! A good teacher is one who has enthusiasm, as well as knowledge, skills and experience in his field and is eager to share it. Look for such a teacher.