and an overwhelming impression has been that the majority of male students (not so prevalent among females) want to be told what they need to know for the exam/test/assessment, nothing more. In fact they will actively switch off if it is not directly related to why they are there no matter how beneficial it may be otherwise.
In his fine book "Handling the Big Jets" David Davies the former UK Air Registration Board test pilot, had this advice to airline pilots:
"Finally do not become lazy in your professional lives. The autopilot is a great comfort, so are the flight director and approach coupler. But do not get into the position where you need these devices to complete the flight. Keep in practice in raw data ILS, particularly in crosswinds. Keep in practice at hand flying the aeroplane at altitude and in making purely visual approaches.
Airline flying really is money for old rope most of the time; but when things get hairy
then you earn your pay. The old saying that `Flying is years and years of utter boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror` is always true. As we get older we all become slightly lazy, slightly more tired- and this is a bit of a trap. The demand of jet transport flying can be best met by enthusiasm. Personal enthusiasm for the job is beyond value because it is a built-in productive force, and those who have it do not have to be pushed into practice and the search for knowledge. Enthusiasm thus generates its own protection. This is the frame of mind which needs to be developed for the best execution of the airline pilot's task"
His advice is just as pertinent now as it was when he wrote it in 1967, forty-five years years ago.