Danny Taddei CFI
About
CFI's are individuals and each has their own style of teaching. You can learn something from each of them but stick with the instructor that works best for you. As a student pilot, you have a large investment to make. Shop around; interview your potential CFI's. Fly with the instructor that makes you feel most confident and don't hesitate to switch instructors if you feel you will benefit from it.
Learning is usually fun. Sometimes students slow down or even stop flying due to uncomfortable situations or even fearful ones. Some of the situations arise from instructors that are not masters of their aircraft, some are just not true teachers, and some are just building hours to become airline pilots without regard to ethics that CFIs are supposed to stick to. Though there is nothing wrong with building hours–some instructors drag out their student's cost for the instructor's own benefit. Understand your situation and choose wisely. You'll take what you learn, or what you don't learn, with you forever.
About myself: I have taught student pilots, aerobatics, and everything up to Airline Transport Pilot for over 30 years. Aviation is a passion. Sharing aviation with beginning pilots is, for me, the best part of teaching and why I still teach after all these years.
I pride myself on teaching skills. I encourage my students to learn as fast as they want. Years of aerobatic flying allow me to completely relax while teaching. My students can feel that safety margin. Knowing that training maneuvers won't turn into a dangerous situation is comforting. That confidence conveys to my student's ability to learn in two ways–they feel safe in the air and they feel free to manipulate the controls without worry.
Call me today and ask the questions that will start your entire journey.
"What do you enjoy about the work you do?"
I love this question... It's flying. What's not to love!
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Personal goals of the student are my first priority. A mutual interview is essential for any student to feel comfortable with an instructor and for me as an instructor to help guide a student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I became a student pilot just after my 16th birthday in 1979. By 1987 I was flying around the USA and Canada in small planes on the way to getting my Commercial, Multi-Engine, Instrument, Airplane license in 1988 and finally my Certified Flight Instructor in 1989. I have remained a current CFI since then. In 1991 I opened a flight school at VNY (Van Nuys Airport in California). Late 1993 I sold that school and moved to South Florida to teach from Penbrook Pines. Now I am in Tulsa OK to enjoy the cooler weather and bring aviation to as many people as I have time to teach.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rate is $65 an hour. I have a handshake to handshake policy and charge for my hours booked. I don't charge for your solo hours. Not many instructors do but some feel they are on call so, just know I don't.
How did you get started teaching?
I actually started teaching sailing lessons at West Winds Sailing Academy in Marina Del Rey CA when I was 14. Teaching is fun for me. In 1989, when I became a CFI, teaching flying became my new passion.
What types of students have you worked with?
I work with all students of all levels but prefer teaching begging students where I can truly shape a great pilot.
Flight reviews are also something I love to do but anyone wanting to learn is welcome to my experience.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The most important part of learning is taking what you learn with you. A positive experience in learning will stay with you but a negative one will stifle your development. Therefore, find an instructor that you feel comfortable with. make sure they are in love with teaching and not someone that will just use you to build their logbook hours. Interview them until you are sure you will enjoy being in a tight space with them and until you know you are safe with them.