Having more than one instructor for PPL

[Gulfstream757]

Hi guys just wondering how much of an effect this will have on my training , should I just stick with one. For those who have experienced both, maybe for different ratings which did you think was better? Thanks in advance;)

[dubbleyew eight]

I think I had 5 instructors. they each taught differently and I learnt from all of them.

[Steevo25]

There are both good and bad points to this. When I first started, I had 2 instructors (and very occassionly had a third).

It was good in a sense as I got 2 different training methods and different tips from both of them with different perspectives.

The bad side is that I kept having to change the way I flew. The instructors expected slightly different way which were opinionated but 1 instructor did things a little differently than the other and each didn't really agree with how the other one did it. Neither were right or wrong and just preference.

[Choxolate]

From my own experience I had 4 or 5 instructors and learnt different things from each of them. In particular I had one instructor who was having great difficulty in getting me to land well and consistently, I of course blamed myself but I just couldn't "get it" with what he was telling me to do.

A change of instructor and I learnt a different approach to landings and quickly improved in both quality and consistency, if you seem to be getting hung up on a particular flying issue a change of instructor may be the answer.

[Heston]

Do you mean alternating between different instructors through your training, or do you mean changing at some point in your training from one to another?

Lots of folk do the latter due to force of circumstances and it can be a good thing. Swapping from one lesson to another, on the other hand, will slow your progress (although as others noted you will learn more overall).

If you have control over it I'd recommend sticking to just one instructor up to about Ex 11, after that the different teaching styles of others may well be a benefit.

(If for some reason you are not getting on with your instructor - personality clash or what ever - then change anyway, its your money, you are the customer)

[foxmoth]

Ideally stick to one or two instructors unless you are having a problem with that instructor in which case you might need to change. Flying with more very much depends on how good the club standardisation is, I did my instructors ticket at a club where all the instructors had been trained in house, so all taught pretty much the same thing, though differing instructors might teach in a slightly different way, other clubs can have all the instructors teaching a different method so little standardisation - not so good.

[jollyrog]

I can't see the value in this. You will pay a LOT of money for your PPL training. Any lesson that doesn't go well is a significant investment possibly wasted.

In an ideal world, all instructors would want the same and teach the same. Reality is, it just isn't like that. Even things that should be identical, one will want 5 kt more on approach than the other, etc.

My advice would be to stick with just the one. If your school can't provide that, find a school that can.

[Howard Long]

The problem with two instructors is that they will teach slightly different recipes. You have enough on your plate without having to get confused with two different methods. You will take more hours to complete your PPL in my opinion.

When my instructor has been on vacation I have used a couple of different instructors, and at one point I was wondering if this was wise. in retrospect I should've probably refrained and waited for my instructor to return as I don't think I gained a great deal other than some more hours in my logbook and learning that you can turn off the carb heat either on final or on the ground. Having the option though means that I tend to forget it at all if I'm not careful.

Cheers, Howard

[Maoraigh1]

I had three instructors first time I did my PPL. The changes were deliberate by the school to sort out problems i had. (School had 6 full time instructors)
I let it lapse, and re-did most of it 20 years later. I had two instructors - change due to availability. I found it annoying - one would repeat the lesson so HE would know where I was. (School had 2 instructors only)

[Gulfstream757]

Thanks all for your replies great info:ok:

[Gulfstream757]

There are about 5 instructors at my club I plan to fly with them all once and then make a decision. Or should I just go with one randomly?

[Gulfstream757]

I know this is kind of a discriminating question but are young guys and girls usually just waiting to get into the airlines, where as perhaps slightly older instructors are there to stay? At my club there are some current and former airline pilots instructing? Would they be better in your opinion?

[Maoraigh1]

The last check-out I had was with a young guy trying to get an airline job. He was one of the best instructors I've ever flown with. Very experienced (at instructing)old guys are usually very good.

[phiggsbroadband]

I have had several instructors, and they each had a few things different.

One would want you to do a 'TTT' at each turn... Turn, Trim, Talk. Why I don't know.

Another would want you to do the BUMFFPITCHH check only on the downwind leg, some let you do that as you approach the Overhead.

One would want you to keep the carb heat on after the Pre-landing Checks
another wanted it on only when you reduce the throttle.

Some seem more sensitive to errors, and take over at the slightest indiscretion, others would let you bounce all the way down the runway, if you felt the need to.

Post PPL you have only the Bi-Annual flight to worry about.

[riverrock83]

Like most things there is a balance. My club operated a primary and a secondary instructor who kept each other up to date with where I was. Both are very experienced and although I know they have their own way of doing things, they are happy to support each other's techniques. They are quite different personality wise but both incredibly experienced. I've learnt alot from both.

Nearer my skills test I went up with the chief instructor, who is totally different again (a bit more combative) to be comfortable flying with others before the exam (and I think my instructor was being tested as to how good my training was!

So I'd say using more than one instructor is a good thing, but six is bad, and you need to work out some way to deal with different instructions from different instructors, otherwise you'll be just getting confused rather than learning!

[flyinkiwi]

There are advantages to both, but I concur that a single instructor for your first few hours of training is vital while you adjust to learning in the flying environment.

For me, using different instructors later on in my training gave fresh perspectives on problems I was having. Sometimes something they would say would turn on a light bulb in my head and I'd understand instantly how to fix something I was repeatedly getting wrong. Those were good lesson days...:ok:

[Gulfstream757]

Ok thanks for the replies, so would you guys suggest that I keep with one instructor for the first few hours and then maybe branch out nearing the end of my training?

[dobbin1]

There are about 5 instructors at my club I plan to fly with them all once and then make a decision. Or should I just go with one randomly?

Choose the lightest - it will give you more W&B headroom:O

[Maoraigh1]

If the school is run efficiently, I'd leave it up to them to select your instructor. A new instructor should have been briefed about you.
Otherwise think of going elsewhere
Only later did I realise how good Thruxton were in '64, under Morris Looker, CFI.

[FlyingKiwi_73]

I had 3 instructors (a few others dipped in and out), all taught me different things and made my education very well rounded.

Instructor 1 (CFI) Taught me some bush flying skills and some very practical skills about what to do when faced with real issues, i remember one great lesson where we used clouds as mountains and tried to out climb them...i.e. part of my mountain flying training (which at the time i got my license was not officially part of the curriculum) ... a very sobering lesson. He taught me practical flying..ie. yes this is what the POH or book says says but if you're in the poo you should be doing this. basically allot of really good instruction on how to fly that's not in any manual or syllabus

Instructor 2 (The professional), fly at 1500ft not 1570ft, rate 1 turns are rate 1 turns, your RT is precise, good position reports. keep calm, manage the aircraft. he taught me how to fly well.

Instructor 3 (Newly Minted CPL and C Cat), had allot of local knowledge which helped immensely and with out his guidance i would not have got the exam marks i did, he really helped me with informal ground school tuition, he was the reason i even passed the Nav exam let alone got over 90%

I was lucky to learn with these guys. I think more than one instructor helps round a new pilot, ok if they have directly contradictory styles then that could be an issue.

FK

[foxmoth]

fly at 1500ft not 1570ft
Glad about that, because I will be at 1570' avoiding you and the numerous other people AT 1500':}

[phiggsbroadband]

Hi, having had several instructors for both power aircraft and gliders, they all said that you should use some pro-rudder whilst in the turn, to prevent 'Adverse Yaw'.

However I was having a test flight in a large wing-span glider with an instructor, and we were flying in turbulent air, which was forcing each wing up in turn... I was correcting as best I could with the stick, but happened to mention that the Adverse Yaw was noticeable in this glider.
My Instructor said that I was not using enough (or any) rudder with the stick, and I explained that I was not turning but trying to maintain a S+L course.

So what he then said made some real sense.. He said that you need to apply the rudder as you move the stick, as it corrects for the difference in drag of the ailerons... Nothing to do with actually being in a turn, as the other 6 or 7 instructors had mentioned.

It's was just a slightly different way of looking at things, but much better to understand.

[Heston]

He said that you need to apply the rudder as you move the stick, as it corrects for the difference in drag of the ailerons... Nothing to do with actually being in a turn, as the other 6 or 7 instructors had mentionedYes. And the difference in drag is what causes the adverse yaw.

Adverse yaw will occur if the rudder/aileron inputs are not balanced while rolling into or rolling out of the turn ie while the ailerons are deflected to roll the aircraft. It doesn't happen while the turn is being maintained at constant bank angle. So you are right - its not to do with being in the turn.
(I'm ignoring more subtle effects like the need to hold-off or hold-on bank in the turn in some circs, when you would still need that little bit of balancing rudder).
In normal flying you should never move the ailerons without moving the rudder and vice versa. Its particularly important to get this right when flying in turbulence because if you dont get it right the nose of the aircraft wanders all over the place which increases your passengers' discomfort!

In gliders you'll find that a tiny bit of pro-turn rudder is needed while maintaining the turn to keep the piece of string in the middle, but this isn't the same as adverse yaw, its simply to keep the glider aligned with the changing direction of the airflow as the aircraft turns - powered aircraft need this too strictly speaking but you really only see the need for it in gliders where aerodynamic efficiency is so important.

[Grob Queen]

I have generally stuck with one FI throughout my 97 hours of training, and it is general club procedure in my club to stay with one FI through the course. This is great for continuity and you get to know each others ways and in my case become good friends too.

I have also flown with our CFI and two other FIs when my chap wasn't available. They each have their own ways, but all teach the same (although the CFI teaches MDR for Nav whereas my FI, although he has taught MDR to his military students, has taught me the Whizz wheel way as for those of us who are mathematically challenged, its much easier!!)

So I think its whatever suits you best or whatever yout FTO advise. But personally, I would stick with the same FI as much as possible.

[thing]

In gliders you'll find that a tiny bit of pro-turn rudder is needed while maintaining the turnI've always found the opposite actually (not arguing the point by the way!). Especially in something like a K8 in a steep turn I've always found a smidgen of top rudder and opposite aileron is needed to keep the string where it should be otherwise it just slips away. Might be something to do with the fact I'm built like a tank though and the cg is always way forward. Then again it might not.

Regarding instructors, I had three who were all excellent and all old timers relatively speaking. All ex mob flying instructors and sort of semi retired apart from one who flies for BA occasionally. Any good club will keep detailed records of each instructional flight and all the next instructor has to do is read up on what happend last time and which if any points need reinforcing.