End of training lectures to students

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

I'd be interested to know what kind of speeches you guys give to students who have completed their training and gained their PPLs (if indeed you do this sort of thing).

I have had the unpleasant situation recently of having a way over-confident student who passed without problems and in minimal time. It is unpleasant because I feel he has a cavalier attitude and will take on too much too quickly with his new found license.

I gave him a stern talking to about building up slowly and of old pilots and bold pilots etc etc. I felt a little as if I was wasting my breath. Next I hear he's planning to fly to Glasgow/France/Dublin, buy his own aircraft, get some aeros in etc etc. With a paltry <50hrs under his belt I do not think this wise.

He is fairly unusual as most people are sensible and take their PPL's with a great deal of gravitas. I can see this guy in an AAIB report before long.


WWW

[The Scarlet Pimpernel]

Unfortunately WWW me old mate, there are some people out there who will never be told and will invariably know better than anyone else. You're probably right in saying he'll end up having an incident of some sort - let's hope it's one that he can walk away from and make his own limitations apparent to him. That's the only way these guys learn...scaring themselves ****less!!

TSP

[Tinstaafl]

After I complete a candidates licence issue test, and providing they pass I have a discussion along the following lines. Often raise the point during training as well. Not always in one hit but the general gist is there throughout (I think).

I mention that the ability of just being able to drive the aircraft wasn't really in doubt or they wouldn't have been recommended in the first place! But I make it known that the only real change as a result of the day's effort is that now some poor, innocent victim is going to place his/her life completely in the graduate's hands while they go out and teach themselves.

Also that the average pax. has absolutely no idea of what is safe & what is not; what should be done or not; can't even distinguish between what looks dangerous - but isn't, and what looks safe - and isn't; that they implicitly, and wrongly, believe that you the pilot know 'everything' about flying & can do anything that they ask - they just have to 'persuade' you if you're hesitant.

I also discuss accident rates & peaks vs. experience. I always try to emphasise that they are in one of the highest risk categories, akin to the average 17 yo with a brand new drivers licence and their training was one of the safest periods in which they will fly. I realise this depends on exactly which numbers are used, but they are, or will be shortly, in a higher risk group.

I always finish with saying they should enjoy the beginning of a lifetime of learning & other wonderful experiences courtesy of aviation.


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Don't mess with the red switches.

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Mmmm, I've used the following which seemed to be good (especially for blokes) - picture a 17 year old lad who has just passed his test and is out in his Dads car for the first time with his mates in the back. How safe is he? Thats you that is. You may be 34 and loosing your hair but in terms of skill and judgement you are that snot nosed 17 year old. Now he'll be OK as long as he goes slowly and doesn't try to impress anyone and so will you be if follow the same path.

Unfortunately the guy in question in my case rode a motorbike like an idiot and a Porsche like a lunatic whilst his Sierra Cosworth was being dragged out of various hedges.

WWW

[Vigilant Driver]

WWW,

I think that you may have been talking to yourself on that WWW. Best plan with someone like that is maybe to try and keep them under an Instructor's eye, in otherwords encourage them to get an IMC, Night, Twin, IR. By the time they have finished all that they will have some more experience, maybe matured a bit and of course have a lot less cash!
So at least when your PPL goes IMC by mistake (cringe!) he will know what to do!!

Hard hats on!!

Vigi.

[climbs like a dog]

A lot of the sentiment behind your post-course lecture should actually be enforced through an increased oversight and supervision of flying by clubs. I know it can be difficult to enforce once someone gets out away from their flying school and buys into an aircraft but it is a worry. The club I instruct for at the moment has a minimum number of hours P1 before a pilot can self-authorise a flight otherwise they have to get an instructor or authorising pilot to authorise the flight. Even self authorising pilots are encouraged to let an instructor know where they're going. It may seem a little OTT but most pilots seem to work with the system. If I were in WWW's shoes with Mr. Overconfident I'd be happier letting him fly in that environment.

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Get there eventually

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Yeah but he's away and off to another airfield and out of my sphere of influence now.

It seems bad somehow, in one way I am letting lose an airborne hazard. Oh well, he'll get by like others before him I expect.

Cheers

WWW

[corsair]

After passing my I/R in a single, the CFI congratulated me, then told me that if he ever caught me flying actual IFR in a single he would.....well let's draw a veil over that.

Suffice it to say I was impressed.

How often after an incident do we hear;
"I knew he'd do that one day"

I heard that after someone spread it on the side of a mountain, it's a pity you can't make some people listen.

I know another pilot who will do it one day. Every one of his landings are greeted with the concern of a ground crew watching a crippled B17 returning to base after a raid.

As long as I'm not in the way.


[This message has been edited by corsair (edited 03 October 1999).]

[BEagle]

But WHICH other airfield will this person be inflicting himself upon, WWW. We need to know if he's that much of a danger!

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

I couldn't possibly ident the airfield. However, callsign Golf - Delta Sierra would be wisely given a wide bearth if ever you hear it across the airwaves...

WWW

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Just heard the following distrubing news about my 'problem' student. Apparently he has now bought an Arrow and is planning to fly it to Schipol tomorrow. I shudder to think.

WWW

[luvly jubbly]

More money than sense??

WWW - You sound like a mother who's just sent her only son to his first day at school, only this one's taken a hand grenade with him.

Let's just hope no-one else is involved in whatever fate throws his way.

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What the Hell's that noise??