Mike Quam - Flight Instructor
Aspen Flying Club
| Flight Instructor: |
CFI, CFII, MEI |
| Certificates Held: |
Commercial Single Engine Land, Commercial Multi Engine Land, Instrument Rated |
| Education: |
|
Mike earned his Private Pilot Certificate from Aspen Flying Club in 1990, and has been flying ever since. He earned his CFI Certficate in 1994 while attending the University of Arizona. After moving back to Colorado in 1998, Mike continued flying for fun while raising two children. Almost 25 years after his receiving his initial CFI, he has returned to flying and recently added his CFII and MEI rating.
Mike’s passion for aviation started almost 30 years ago and continues today. With experience in newer Technologically Advanced Aircraft and traditional round gauge aircraft, Mike can help you achieve your aviation goals both personally and professionally. Come fly with Mike and experience the joy of aviation.
5 useful questions to ask an instructor:
Why did you become a flight instructor?
Regardless of the answer, the way an instructor talks about why they fly is what is important. Look for
someone that is excited by teaching. They should have a genuine interest in giving others the gift of flight.
How long have you been flight instructing?
Some Instructors have thousands of hours under their belts and have been flight instructing for their entire
careers. Others have a few hundred and are just beginning. A seasoned instructor will have a lot of experience
but may have a set teaching style. A freshly minted instructor has less aircraft time but is able to relate to
common learning obstacles, having undergone their own flight training in the not too distant past. There are
advantages to both types of instructor.
How do you keep track of your student’s progress?
Using a syllabus is essential so that both student and instructor can track progress and milestones so make
sure your instructor uses one. Talk to other students and ask them what kind of reading their doing, what
books they’re using and the type of homework they’re getting. There should ALWAYS have some type of “homework”
assignment at the end of each lesson.
What is your availability?
Some instructors are part-time and work separate jobs during the week. Others are full-time, but may want to
have personal and family time on the weekends. Find an instructor with compatible availability. Flying at least
twice a week is the best way to progress quickly through accomplishments with less effort and less overall costs.
Choosing an instructor that is able to fly on the same schedule helps to keep flight training on a consistent path.
I’ve heard people talk about “stalling an airplane.” Can you tell me what it means?
This is a classic question. Regardless of knowing what an “aircraft stall” is or not, how an instructor explains
this concept will give great insight into how they can explain concepts. Are they patient? Do they use simple
terminology that is easy to understand? Do they ask questions to make sure their student understands, or do they
over simplify to brush off the question? Find an instructor whose instructing style is a good match.
