I have a Selmer Omega flute, but it sounds very airy when I play it. Especially when I play the second ledger-line C. I have taken it in many times to get it fixed, and every time they gave me a rental flute which is a different brand. while my flute was being fixed, I played with a Gemeinhardt. What can I do to stop the airiness in my tone?

BTW the rental flute didn't sound airy

How often do you play your flute?

I dread these advice columns. Essentially it amounts to guessing what on earth the problem could be, and at the end of the day, it could be either a player's embouchure/playing issue, or a technical problem with the flute, or both.

If you're finding your own flute airy, and another one is not, it may be just the embouchure cut which is better suited to the shape of your lips.

If the headjoint cork is not corrected to 17mm, or has drifted over time, it will also sound airy.

If the coin operated keys leak, then it will also sound leaky. Some of these keys are synchronised, and can 'drift'.

If the springs aren't working taut, then there will be leakiness.

Arrgh! There are so many causes for leakiness!

I hate second hand flutes. I won't buy one unless there is a shop keepers' warranty on it, and free adjustment for a long period. It's not worth the hassle.

I spent 2 months trying to discover the second octave consistently: when I switched flutes, I suddenly found out how easy it was to blow the second octave. Despite all the wannabe useful advice here, the best stress free way to find out, is to have a live teacher who is knowledgeable enough to help, or a flute technician, to exclude the technical flute problems, and so narrow it down to player limitations ;D