Read it, don't read it... just my opinion:
I'm afraid, having been an instructor, it is quite common for students to think that if they are academically strong, they will be good pilots. Unfortunately this is not necessarily the case.
Lack of command and awareness is usually the main reason why students get washed in the early stages of flying. When something goes wrong or you make a mistake, we want to see that you do something about it. Because they had done so well in the ground school, some clever individuals usually have difficulty understanding why they got washed. You can be a rocket scientist but not have what it takes to be a good pilot. Some students are brilliant when it comes to the theory, but when it comes to applying it and doing the practical side of things, they just don't cope. You can learn all about an aeroplane, but that will not make you a pilot. Passing all your subjects first time does not mean all that much when it comes to the flying. If a student does not take control of the aircraft and whichever situation they find themselves in, they cannot be sent solo. It is not in their best interest either as they may kill themselves.
I don't think any instructor wants someone to fail. You put all that sweat and blood into that person's training and more than anything, you want them to pass. And not just pass, but be the best! My work is my pride! And your students reflect on you and how well you are doing your job. I have never ever ever treated my private students differently to any sponsored students. I trained them all the same. And explained things over and over and over if it was needed. No matter who they were. They are all students to me, no difference. Howcome we are not getting this type of complaint from the private students? And in SA there are many private students of colour! In many of the flying schools. It is funny how students are so good when they pass, but the instructors are the bad ones when they fail. And I am tired of the generalisation that white people are racists. Calling us racist, is racist in my opinion. In the New South Africa, being a white person in a majority black country, I can blame racism as well for everything that has gone wrong in my life. But instead I choose to look inward and analyse what it is that I have done wrong and how I can save the situation instead of blaming other people. It's not going to help much anyway, it will just make it worse.
Some of my best students have been black and I still keep in touch with them. They are all doing well and are very happy. Because they worked hard for it like everybody else who has succeeded. Do your time, and you will get your reward. Nobody said it would be easy! I'm sure that there are still some biased and racist people in the industry, but jumping on the "race" wagon all the time actually makes it worse. People are pleasantly surprised and often change their opinions when you keep at it and prove them wrong. Without making a big fuss of it. Always stay professional, people will see that and respect you for it.
I'm sure many good potential pilots apply to cadet schemes all over the world, but not all of them can make it! When you are a sponsored student, your selection never really stops. So if they need to drop 40% of the guys during PPL training, that is still another phase of selection. No better way to see if someone can fly, than by letting them actually have a go at it. Like I said earlier, being an academic does not mean you will be a good pilot. And unfortunately the academic side is what is tested most in selection processes. Only once the training starts, can it really be seen who has good motor skills, awareness, decision-making, assertiveness, command, etc. I can imagine this 40% cut in students would be enforced by the airline and not by the training school. It wouldn't make any sense otherwise. The school would obviously like as many students as possible to remain with them.
Cadets should guard against making the mistake of thinking that once they have been chosen to go the flying school, that that is it! It's not the end, it is only the beginning. Maybe you pass your comm and then not pass your selection at the airways afterwards? It is a continuous selection process. And they pay for it. It is not someone's right to get the training, it is a priviledge.
When it comes to the training file issue - I'm sure Kenya airways has access to that file as they are the client and i'm pretty sure they look through those files every time they visit the school to see how everyone is doing. The reason that they probably do not want to release the file to the student, is that they have a specialised training layout (or so I have heard) and would not like the rest of South Africa's flying training establishments to get their hands on it if you go there with your file. You should have all the hours flown and exercises done in your logbook. What more do you need when you go to a different flying school? Wouldn't you like them to start you off on a clean page without being influenced by someone else's opinion that they've read?
MusaQ and all other flying students -
I hope that if flying is your passion, you will sit down and rethink how much you want to be a pilot and how you can change your approach to the training. Remember, we cannot control the things outside, but we can control ourselves and how we handle it and feel about it. Flying is all about confidence. And you are the one who has to work on that aspect. I know it is hard when it looks like all the odds are against you, but it is a tough world in aviation out there and you will have to fly with lots of people who will make you feel inferior and useless. That is just the way it is... and in the end it makes you stronger. The training is not for sissy's and you will have to toughen up and take control. It will prepare you for the even tougher world out there. They train you to be, ultimately one day, the captain of an airliner. This is a huge responsibility, and sadly we have recently had a tragedy close to home that made all of us once again realise how huge that responsibility is. In order to make it as a pilot, you need to display that you will not let stress get the better of you. Don't allow yourself to feel intimidated. Because that is something you will encounter throughout your career. Stop thinking that everyone is out to get you - paranoia will not help with your already stressful training situation - and just do your best. If you really want to be a pilot, you will find a way to do it. Lots of guys out there struggle to pay for the licence, but after the long struggle comes the reward. Best of luck to you, never give up.
I really hope we can put this thread to rest now
