But it is not stupid to drum into the student that he must be at 80kt on downwind (and trimmed), 75kt on base (and trimmed) and fly the final at 70kt (and trimmed). (or whatever figures are right for that type) That's what "flying by numbers" means to me. With a more complex type this will be extended to engine settings e.g. 23"/2300/10.5GPH for a cruise LOP setting which should give 138KTIAS.
Exactly !
Most PPL students have few hours on the type, many are constantly changing planes (due to poor availability, planes going "tech", etc) so they fly different types,........
And this extends to the many of us who don't own their a/c but fly club/rental airplanes.