As a student, I always had a good working relationship with both of my instructors during my training, and while we socialised outside of the school (where I also worked on the reception) everything was very professional inside the plane. I have retained those friendships, a few even becoming work collegues once I completed my instructor rating.
As an instructor, up until now, most of my students at my previous flying school have been Indian students and it I have always ensured that I maintained a strictly professional relationship and that contact with my students did not continue outside of work - but despite my efforts, upon leaving that school, one of my students began stalking me, leaving me love letters, emails sms's etc for three months until they finally took me seriously and stopped, after I threatened to charge them with harrassment!
At a different school, I plan to keep in touch with most of my current students and some of my former students with whom I have developed a few good friendships. Many still see me for advice, just like I still regularly call up my old instructors and have a good old chat!
Try not to date your students! It doesn't look good for either of you! I have known of a few relationships that occurred between instructors and students and very few of them lasted - the others usually just became gossip that is scrawled onto the scare chairs - which usually develops into a poor reputation for that instructor or student!
Cheers,
Mo
