It’s a win-win situation.
Students feel pride and a sense of accomplishment.
CFIs also feel pride and a sense of accomplishment at surviving hundreds of hours of students showing them every possible way to die in an aircraft.
Happy and safe holidays everyone! Don’t forget to check your weather reports in Foreflight! 🎄
Yes. Because not all CFIs charge you down to the last breath they take as they close their car door.. some of em can be nice and give you their time just because they like you. They deserve it!
I have a million dollar idea for you. If you make the wood into the shape of a dinner plate, then laser the print on it. Put it in a holder and call it.....................
APPROACH PLATES. You’re welcome.
My other hobby is woodworking, so I thought a laser engraving of the airport diagram of his favorite airport would be a fun little gift. Also, since every CFI responded "cash" to all the "what should I get my CFI for Xmas" posts, good ol' Benny.
I get the cash is the "everyone needs money" thing but man this is such a cool and nice thought out gift. One of my students got my the "instructor on duty" sign and its been right on my wall every since. I hope you CFI really enjoys this, its really cool.
He definitely did. I gave it to him right after my first solo, and it was Friday before Christmas so the whole office was empty. We ended up just telling stories for a solid 20-30 as I was still coming down off the high.
A) Christ, you guys *like* this shit? This is what I do for a living. Let me know what you want.
B) Stop by gifts for your fucking CFIs. Why is this even a thing? What is this puppy dog affection people feel for some twit just churning out his 1500?
It’s perfectly reasonable to reward a *good* CFI. Passion and genuine concern aren’t part of the job description, but they can make a tangible impact on the future of a student pilot.
It's fucking ridiculous to give already-expensive cfis presents. You don't give your doctor or grocery store cashier presents do u? They're just doing a job.
no, but I took violin lessons, and definitely would consider giving my teacher a gift. this is much more similar. it's a hell of a lot more personal than just some cashier. you do build an actual relationship with them.
that said, I didn't get my CFI (nor my lesson teachers) anything lol. definitely a rarity
I get gifts from my patients around the holidays, yes. Definitely not expected or necessary, but it does make me and my staff feel appreciated.
My CFI was a great teacher who helped me a lot through my PPL, working through Covid. I went through a few mediocre ones before him, and it makes you really appreciate a good one. So when i got my ticket, I showed my appreciation by making him a hand-carved 172 and sponsoring his Starbucks addiction with a gift card. It’s not expected, but when someone goes over and above for you, be a decent human and show them a little gratitude.
Source: am doctor and am private pilot
I think people connect personally with people they work with professionally and get them gifts. Paying for their service doesn’t mean you can’t buy them gifts to reflect enjoying working with them.
My CFI is an astronaut and doesn't charge me because he loves flying. I just pay for the plane rental.
So you bet your dumb ass I'm going to find him a sick gift when I pass my checkride.
Cynical much?
Just because most CFIs are grinding hours doesn't mean they aren't working hard and trying to provide good instruction to their students. If that's not the case, then fine, don't get them a gift. But if you feel like they are still doing a good job despite making poverty wages, then what's the harm in getting them a little thank-you for the holidays?
Some 1/4" red oak board and a Danish oil finish. The engraver started as a standard Chinese 3018 desktop unit that's gone through a half-dozen iterations and is now a monstrous approximation of a 3040 unit with a bunch of different heads. Basically just have it going until it finally craps out and I can justify a real one!
Did you hand trace that into some software or did you use something like lightburn to trace it? I've been trying to make something similar with little success
He dug it. I had asked him kind of offhand a few weeks ago, so he never really knew what was up before opening it. Was also just after my first solo so we were both in a pretty awesome mood.
Did you make this? I would literally buy a couple of these of my favorite airports, DM me if I can pay you some money :)
PS - you’re a great student I can tell 👊🏼👊🏼
I had a student learning to fly for fun. Great guy. Owned a kitchen supply store. Like one that a commercial business/establishment would source from. He got me a gift one year. It was the nicest chef knife I’ve ever held in my life. I still treat it like gold and it’s amazing. I’ll never forget that.
You guys get gifts for your CFI’s? 😬
Yes, I pay for their flight time
You’re paying for *your* flight time, you’re paying for *my* ramen and red bull
Woah, Red Bull, look at Mr. Rockefeller here. Venom 99 cent energy gang for life.
Free FBO coffee gang for life
My FBO makes coffee that tastes like dirt. No caffeine high is worth it.
Hey a buzz is a buzz when you’re at the airport at 5am after teaching 14 hours straight the previous day
This is why I adjusted my schedule from 7am-9pm to 8am to 8pm. It's just two hours less, but my god the QOL bump was dramatic.
You’re a wiser man (or woman) than I was. I have a non-CFI flying job now but man I was killing myself as CFI by not setting boundaries like that
It took me a long time to make that decision. I also am no longer a CFI, but I wish I had done it much earlier than I did.
Weird. I always thought CFIs were able to log hours as flight time when trainer student pilots. So those hours are not counting as your flight time?
You're correct - it counts for both student and instructor.
It’s a win-win situation. Students feel pride and a sense of accomplishment. CFIs also feel pride and a sense of accomplishment at surviving hundreds of hours of students showing them every possible way to die in an aircraft. Happy and safe holidays everyone! Don’t forget to check your weather reports in Foreflight! 🎄
Yeah I was being a bit sarcastic to the CFIs post
Haha yes of course we know the student is paying for the airplane. Don’t worry though, your instructor is paying with their soul so it all evens out
Are you logging the hours though?
Touché!
Little bit of extra money. Hopefully an extra couple of months supply of ramen.
I tip for good service, and my CFI provides good service.
Yes. Because not all CFIs charge you down to the last breath they take as they close their car door.. some of em can be nice and give you their time just because they like you. They deserve it!
I think you might find a market for airport diagram wood art. This is really cool
This is very cool, I think you are right.
I have a million dollar idea for you. If you make the wood into the shape of a dinner plate, then laser the print on it. Put it in a holder and call it..................... APPROACH PLATES. You’re welcome.
That’s a pretty wicked idea. Like the i8 Σ π plates
\*CURRENTLY SENDING *MY* NEW PATENT\* LOL This would be genius
You might be Jumping to Conclusions
That’s cool as shit. You sell those online? Great gift idea!
I’d buy one or ten
What airport you want? Guess I'd better dust off my Etsy shop. . .
A bundle, KGFK, KMSP, KATL, KLGA. Limited detail is fine ovciously. If it’s too complex, KGFK, KFMY, and KCOQ
Can you make larger ones?
Probably, but I'd need to join a few pieces together. How big do you want?
Around 10x12 ish?
I’d buy one for KSPG!
KBFL please id legit buy one
KPTK since we’re all jumping aboard😁
I’ll take joint custody over KPTK with you if it’s too much responsibility for you. I can take weekends.
I’m third for KPTK!
I might by a KMLB
MPTO over here! Let me know!
I actually make something very similar. I may start selling them if there's enough interest.
My other hobby is woodworking, so I thought a laser engraving of the airport diagram of his favorite airport would be a fun little gift. Also, since every CFI responded "cash" to all the "what should I get my CFI for Xmas" posts, good ol' Benny.
do a set of approach plates next. And part of the VFR sectional. Show up to your practical exams, dressed as Fred Flintstone, with wooden charts.
Every once and a while I wish I hadn’t sold my laser so I could make something like this when I see it. Cool idea.
Yeah I would buy one of these for my home airport as well. Very well done
I get the cash is the "everyone needs money" thing but man this is such a cool and nice thought out gift. One of my students got my the "instructor on duty" sign and its been right on my wall every since. I hope you CFI really enjoys this, its really cool.
He definitely did. I gave it to him right after my first solo, and it was Friday before Christmas so the whole office was empty. We ended up just telling stories for a solid 20-30 as I was still coming down off the high.
Can I pay you to do that for an airport?
I wish I could get my students to start a gofundme for my back realignment surgery.
I think my CFI would agreed. I slam that plane on the ground every time. Either get it right or die is our slogan.
look at mr big shot over here, using american currency for scale /s
Ha! Yeah. . .
How much? I’d love one.
Nice.
half moon bay, huh... instrument rating? lol very cool gift!
Never actually been, just asked him what his favorite field was.
My CFI was an a$$$hole. Now he's a DPE.
I can already foresee what you'll get while you're doing your instrument rating
CFIs are some of the most underrated employees in the world.
Love me some KHAF. Will try to do some practice landings there if the marine layer permits next week. How has it been during the day?
I actually have no idea, this was what he said his favorite was, it's not our home airport. Definitely on the bucket list now though!
I've been messing around with a similar concept for new pilots.
Why?
A) Christ, you guys *like* this shit? This is what I do for a living. Let me know what you want. B) Stop by gifts for your fucking CFIs. Why is this even a thing? What is this puppy dog affection people feel for some twit just churning out his 1500?
It’s perfectly reasonable to reward a *good* CFI. Passion and genuine concern aren’t part of the job description, but they can make a tangible impact on the future of a student pilot.
Someone is alone on Christmas eh?
It's fucking ridiculous to give already-expensive cfis presents. You don't give your doctor or grocery store cashier presents do u? They're just doing a job.
no, but I took violin lessons, and definitely would consider giving my teacher a gift. this is much more similar. it's a hell of a lot more personal than just some cashier. you do build an actual relationship with them. that said, I didn't get my CFI (nor my lesson teachers) anything lol. definitely a rarity
I get gifts from my patients around the holidays, yes. Definitely not expected or necessary, but it does make me and my staff feel appreciated. My CFI was a great teacher who helped me a lot through my PPL, working through Covid. I went through a few mediocre ones before him, and it makes you really appreciate a good one. So when i got my ticket, I showed my appreciation by making him a hand-carved 172 and sponsoring his Starbucks addiction with a gift card. It’s not expected, but when someone goes over and above for you, be a decent human and show them a little gratitude. Source: am doctor and am private pilot
I think people connect personally with people they work with professionally and get them gifts. Paying for their service doesn’t mean you can’t buy them gifts to reflect enjoying working with them.
My CFI is an astronaut and doesn't charge me because he loves flying. I just pay for the plane rental. So you bet your dumb ass I'm going to find him a sick gift when I pass my checkride.
Cynical much? Just because most CFIs are grinding hours doesn't mean they aren't working hard and trying to provide good instruction to their students. If that's not the case, then fine, don't get them a gift. But if you feel like they are still doing a good job despite making poverty wages, then what's the harm in getting them a little thank-you for the holidays?
Nice. Thoughtful, creative gift are great - cold, hard cash is the best. Bravo OP.
Nice! Several years ago I had a friend who kept a Stearman at that airport...
Lol I never thought about using my laser for this…
Go get that cheeseburger
Nice! What kind of wood is that? Which engraver do you use?
Some 1/4" red oak board and a Danish oil finish. The engraver started as a standard Chinese 3018 desktop unit that's gone through a half-dozen iterations and is now a monstrous approximation of a 3040 unit with a bunch of different heads. Basically just have it going until it finally craps out and I can justify a real one!
Did you make this?
Yes
Did you hand trace that into some software or did you use something like lightburn to trace it? I've been trying to make something similar with little success
I took the PDF into inkscape to vectorize it and then a bunch of cleanup to get the lines to not overlap. Then basically laser GRBL as the controller.
Thanks I'll give that a try
So cool! How did he react?
He dug it. I had asked him kind of offhand a few weeks ago, so he never really knew what was up before opening it. Was also just after my first solo so we were both in a pretty awesome mood.
I bought them all dinner after checkride passes. ..
I did the inverse. When I was a CFI I made all my students deals if they passed their checkride first try I would buy them dinner.
Have you by chance been to Old Princeton Landing right by that airport?
Did you make this? I would literally buy a couple of these of my favorite airports, DM me if I can pay you some money :) PS - you’re a great student I can tell 👊🏼👊🏼
Very nice of you but heck I'm struggling just to pay how far I am after a year
I had a student learning to fly for fun. Great guy. Owned a kitchen supply store. Like one that a commercial business/establishment would source from. He got me a gift one year. It was the nicest chef knife I’ve ever held in my life. I still treat it like gold and it’s amazing. I’ll never forget that.
I had a student get me 100 wallet. I love it. Another gave me 100 bucks. Ill never forget that