Ok there's been too much bitching on Prune recently, so lets lighten the mood and get some real discussion going.
Another "FlightOops" hypothetical situation to ponder:
You're an instructor, type irrelevant, you've done a season of instruction already so you've learnt a few lessons; sent quite a few students solo; and taken a few PPL's right through to test.
Then Mr ****eForBrains decides you are the instructor that will get him through.
At nearly 50 odd hours he's only gone solo once which scared the crap out of you to watch, insisted on more instruction and yet he doesn't seem to be making any progress.
You have successfully got previous students past their "brick wall" and then onto test, so you're puzzling over why Mr. SFB can't get it.
Other instructors then fly with him and it turns out he's an "un-natural" and is never likely to get the hang of it - more importantly his airmanship is so dire you're worried he's going to hurt himself;friends;family;other aviators.
Questions:
- How to you approach the subject of telling him he should take up lawn bowls instead of flying ?
- Do you feel there should be a progress check point (say @ 20 ~ 30hrs) where an asessment is made as to whether a student is likely to get their PPL?
- How do you react if he insists on continuing to fly as the money is "no object" and he'll keep at it until he passes (even though you know he never will)?
- Should you warn other schools of his inability in case he does the rounds?
- Should your opinion be ..."well if he wants to kill himself so be it" ?
- Do you think the error is with your instructional style and that there is a particluar student / instructor ratio that will always work (each student has a unique instructor style that will work for them) ?
Caveats:
- Mrs. SFB could be equally difficult so gender is irrelevant
- I am not an instructor although I've seen some shockers in my time on the ground at schools
- The flying school is struggling with their cash-flow and his revenue is important
Hope this generates some healthy debate - lets keep the RPM in the green on this one - no slanging matches or references to Australians please -
.
FO