Paul Beaulieu
CFI
"That's what we're trained to do.."
– Chesley B. 'Sully' Sullenberger III
This quote sums up Paul's perspective of what it is the instructors do here at Beverly Flight Center. It doesn't frame the saving of many lives as anything extraordinary, just what's expected.
He has always told his students at the outset of their training that being a pilot isn't something you do, it's something you are. The skills, thought processes, logical deductions, adaptations, and setting of limits that are requisite for performance as a pilot also follow us to all other areas of our lives.
Paul has worked for the past 20 years or so as an educator in grades 6-12, mostly in music. During that time, he developed his own personal philosophy and goals. They have, of course, been modified many times over those years but the common thread that has held strong throughout is: "I am a teacher of students before I am a teacher of any subject." The education of the individual is far more important than the subject being taught, even in aviation.
He has said, "My job is to train an individual to be the person who can interpret a situation, evaluate his ability to provide the needed action, and implement that action flawlessly every time. This is far more important than training him simply to land an airplane. The content that is draped over that framework must quickly become the responsibility of the student. I will be there to show him what I know, to evaluate his progress, to teach him how to learn, to mentor him through his training, but I will not be there to save his passengers' lives."
Paul has been flying since 1999, and instructing since 2008. His certifications include Instrument Rating for Single/Multi Engine Land, and Certified Flight Instructor. Paul is also involved with the FAA Safety Team as a Lead Representative for the Boston Region.
Favorite joke: "How do you know there's a pilot in the room? Don't worry, give him a chance and he'll tell you all about it."
Click here to contact Paul.
