I've been saddened to read that so many students have had what should be an enjoyable experience spoiled by the personality in the rh seat. When one thinks how much lessons cost the level of customer care should be much higher.
One used to talk of Doctors "bedside manner" meaning that GP's were expected to display a caring sympathetic attitude to their patients. Maybe some of the instructor fraternity should take a leaf out of the history books and polish up their "cockpit manner"
I realise more and more that my experiences in the early 1970's were wonderful. The notion of an assigned instructor was not the norm in those days and you took pot luck.
I was taught by 5 different instructors , an ex Luftwaffe T33 jet jock a dour Irishman, an ex Farnborough test pilot a young chain smoking assistant FI from Bury anf the CFI who did a lot with hand signals. They all stuck to a clearly defined sylabus and the student quickly learned to glean the best from each.
Therefore for wild exuberant aeros go German, for a dose of caution on a marginal day head west to Ireland, to learn the tricks of the instrument flying trade Farnboro' and if you like a rough shag (pipe tobacco that is) the CFI would oblige by puffing away contentedly as you bashed the circuit
I know 30 years has probably made the memories rosier than they were but in essence I feel I was turned out as a well rounded new PPL as opposed to the clone of one person. (however good that instructor was)
BTW I note no complaints here about female instructors. They were a rare thing in my day but the ones I've flown with recently knock most of their male colleagues into a cocked hat.
If you are rubbing up badly against a particular "type" maybe thats the way to go.
Gaining a PPL is a worthwile thing and you'll feel a fantastic sense of achievement once it's yours. To all students who are suffering a dip in confidence I urge you to carry on- its worth it
Sir George Cayley
The air is a navigable ocean that laps at everyones door