is he short? when doing my line training in the Islander years ago my then chief pilot suggested I move my booklet of airfield plates out of the space between the windshild and instrument panel to make it possible to see down the side in the flare. I couldn't work it out at the time as I am tall and could see over the top. I cannot see that this should be much of an issue in a 172 though, unless that is the reason then it is a total load of rubbish that he is telling you.