I'm far from a 'NewBie' but can I play too?

I retired from instructing several years ago, I was burned out (see "Instructor Burnout" thread on news archives like google). I'd just had enough of the latest gerneration who didn't seem to want to invest the time to learn. I'd take great pains to show them how to fix/adjust their planes, I'd even offer my phone#, a workbench and some of my building time to help... I repaired their planes....

Next session: same problems (trim out, missing mount bolts etc. etc.).
What's worse, I'd get badmouthed when I went for a flight on my own aircraft. It got to the point that I started flying at other clubs to avoid the situation and get some of my own sticktime.

So, I quit instructing for a few years. Few of the latest crop of students realize I'm an instructor and I'm gently easing back into instructing... but just occasionally. That way when I show up to practice for a contest on Sunday, I'm not the first choice to jump all over for not "meeting their training milestones" on their "training contract" with the club.

Generally, if you're pleasant, heed my advice, and are genuinely interested in learning, you find yourself getting a lot of stick time from me. Otherwise, you'll find me otherwise distracted when your turn comes up.....

You want good instructors? Don't burn them out. Take their advice and follow it. Show some appreciation, a simple thank-you will suffice (but a cold drink once in a while wouldn't hurt), and give them some time to fly for fun, you might learn something if you watch them fly something other than a trainer.....