Hey all,

I'm in need of some ideas for gifts or such things to give to my instructor when it's time to 'cut the cord'. The time seems to be approaching sooner than I thought it would (Halleluja!) and he has been a great help and freindly about it. I'm sure there are plenty of R/C things to give, but what do you give to someone who has been in the sport for a while?

Thanks!

Wayne

At our club, students used to take the instructors out to dinner at the end of the season and split the cost. Seems this practice has gone by the wayside of late.

If you really must give a gift, why not gift certificates from the Local hobby store? it'll both benefit your Instructor and help support the LHS.

ps. Congrats ahead of time.

Gift certificates will work. A gallon or two of his favourite fuel is usually acceptable (if he gets enough time out from instructing to fly his own aircraft that is).

Steve

Speaking for the three instructors at our club, a handshake and a new friend is more than enough. the most I would feel comfortable accepting is a dinner. - For one opinion...

quint

I gave my instructor(Frank Lacey of ARCS in Phoenix) 2 gallons of fuel. He flew a bit of everything. Thanks Frank. Mike

How about a new car & a trip to the Bahamas...that'd work for me!

I gave my instructor (Bryce Custer) a nice new aluminum nose cone. Later I thought it would have been cool to have had it engraved (I don't know how long that would last). He did seem to really appreciate it and used it on his next bipe.

I bought my instructor a GP Decathalon kit but as it turns out the plane is one real dog and flies like crap. I SWEAR TO GOD I DIDN"T KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A dinner always works and let him know how much you appreciate his patience!!

Most instructors don't expect a thing in return, unless it is common practice at your club to give some sort of gift. The look
in the pilots eyes when they do their first upright landing and
their first solo is reward enough. I've trained quite a few students
and it was just recently that one offered a steak dinner and
another is a HVAC expert, who came to my store and did an AC
checkup in trade. If you feel the need, then a dinner and drink
would be more than enough. But most important would be a
sincere thank you. In the next year, offer to train someone and
pass on the favor. This is what our hobby is all about.

Randy

All I ever asked, or would accept, was a cold drink, and that they become a competent flier and good hobbiest, and return the favor to another beginner. This seems to have worked out well as we have a lot more instructors in the club now, than when I was learning.

I have been given a gallon of fuel which was way more than enough. The only thing I tell a new pilot is my fee is that they will have to teach at least one new pilot to fly in the future.

DEG

My dad and I bought my neighbor and Instructor and dual TX case from Tower. It was about $20 a piece. His instruction and advice was worth much more.

Thanks, Jet!

Mike

I had a really great instructor, when I was taken off the cord, I got him a gallon of fuel, the next week a dozen donuts, the next week a Burger King lunch, and after that, I showed him the article I sent in to the editor of AMA's magazine about him and what a great job he did. I think having that letter published meant more to him than the donuts. Not sure though!!

Thanks guys,

Good ideas which will come in handy when the time comes.

Wayne

I've been an instructor for a lot of years, I always just appreciated a heart felt thank you for my time spent. Although a Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera would not be refused!!!

rc_sport LOL


To show my appreciation to my instructor I bulit and covered a slow poke for him. (Thanks Ira Jersey)

I havent done what I want to for my instructor.. but Im going to do the best thing I can think of.

Become an "Instructor" myself so he can fly in piece :P

Thanks Joel

Hmm, this is great, as a friend of mine who has trained me, advised me, helped me when I was doing my A cert. (The test to fly over here.), helped me get into pattern, is now going to paint something for me. I was thinking of getting one of those 'stick' planes done like his Synergies, aswell as a box of the old coolpower.

......... the only reward , or payment that I have ever been offered has been some of the best and longest friendships of my life. Did I get ripped off or what?

I have trained many people. Like most of the others, I am more satisfied if the student becomes a competent pilot and helps pass this great hobby on to others. Nothing more rewarding than seeing one of your students doing well and helping others learn to fly. Great hobby isn't it!

I thanked my instructor by buying him a kit. Had fun talking to his buddies about what he might like ( kit vs. ARF, type of model, etc.). From this thread this may be considered overkill, but I enjoyed it and he was thrilled.

I argue with mine, but we have a laugh whilst doing it. (About the usual, airplane designs, ARTFS, what to do and not to do etc.) And as I said, I am lucky to have such a freind. We have a ball of a time.