Originally Posted by
Uplinker
There is absolutely no need for instructors to shout or use the F word in a derogatory way to their students.
Some bad, shouty instructors get away with it NOT because they are popular sky gods, but because students are naturally going to be nice to them, since they might be signing their papers.
Spoon feeding: When learning to fly, there is so much information, a student does need someone to give them direction and focus. They cannot expect an inexperienced student to always know what to read up on. One function of the instructor is to guide the student through what is important and what to go into detail on. A reading list and a study plan ideally.
Students in the early stages are usually paying the instructors wages, so they should not put up with poor instruction or a bad attitude from the instructor. Easier said than done sometimes, but don't put up with it.
Good luck to the OP, whatever you decide. If you want to go into upper atmosphere/near space, the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts were mostly former military test pilots with degrees, I think?
Very good post. And the point about the space job is sadly probably true. Get yourself a few thousand hours in the military, fly all sorts, become a test pilot. Then, assuming you have the masters in Aerospace engineering, you can apply for the job alongside everyone else with that and more on the CV.
Not to downplay your goals but you don’t want to feel like you’ve not achieved something if you don’t get there, a 747 captain (or future equivalent) should hopefully be an incredible achievement enough in itself!
Good point about paying the instructor as well. You’re the customer, they’re the supplier so feel free to speak up for yourself. Get to your third instructor though and it might not be the instructors...