No guarantees - but I would start by asking how many hours they have,
how many students they soloed, how many students they have taken to
PP-ASEL, how many hours actual IMC they have - and anything else you
want to ask. My first instructor, I eventually discovered, was teaching
his first student. They all have to learn - but sorry - not on my dime.

Now I just take a few hours each year to keep sharp, and I insist on the
most experienced instructor in the school. It may not guarantee me the
best instructor, but it does save me from the CFI who qualified
yesterday and is eagerly looking for his first paying customer.

Tony
(Standing by for sh-- and abuse from all the wet behind the ears CFI's

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

In article .com,
"Janis Hidiki" wrote:

Recently decided to go for my private's license after all these years
of waiting for time and money.
But it seems like one has to just "hunt & peck" for a good instructor.
True?

How can you tell if an instructor has a good (or any) track record?
Does the FAA keep track of instructors' success rate?
Or is there somewhere online where one can find recommendations from
past students?

Is it really "buyer beware" ?
TIA
Janis