How NOT to instruct
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,693
Likes: 1,290
From: Australia
How NOT to instruct
I was reading the autobiography of an Air Commodore colleague who was in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1951 where he was learning to fly on Tiger Moths. He said: "I must have been unlucky to draw the worst two instructors for my first 20 hours . These were two of a group of wartime pilots being retained by the RAAF for a short time but who were not likely to be given posts in he Permanent Air Force
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 31
From: Brisbane
I was reading the autobiography of an Air Commodore colleague who was in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1951 where he was learning to fly on Tiger Moths. He said: "I must have been unlucky to draw the worst two instructors for my first 20 hours . These were two of a group of wartime pilots being retained by the RAAF for a short time but who were not likely to be given posts in he Permanent Air Force
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
Reading your post reminded me of an interesting experience with a senior ATO who did cadet pilot evaluations for QANTAS. I'd seen him around the school at Bankstown where I'd worked, and when I had to do an Aerostar endorsement, he was the ATO qualified to do it with me.
A bit of background first though. I'd always thought he was a gentle old soul with a bit of a mischievous grin, especially after I'd seen him land with a Qantas cadet hopeful at Hoxton Park with the brakes briefly locked as the nervous student touched down with his feet on the brakes. As they were taxying back past me and my student in the runup bay, he looked at me with a mock worried look and both his hands up to his mouth as if chewing his fingers! After that, he proved to have a great sense of humour, so I wasn't concerned about flying with him.
Another bit of background, he was nicknamed "Squat Switch", and I found out why after our flight.
All was well as we taxied out, ran up the engines, took off, and climbed out into the training area, but after running through the usual general handling exercises, it was time to run through emergencies, and that's when dear old gentle Bresso turned into a terror! He yelled and carried on as if I was intent on killing him, which made me think I'd need a whole lot more training before getting the endorsement, but despite that, I just focused on flying the aircraft and didn't let his remarks distract me from the job at hand as he pulled mixtures at random.
After landing and taxying back, he was quiet again, and I was sure I'd made a mess of it, so I prepared myself for the worst as we shut down and walked back for the debrief. Imagine my shock when he began with, "That was the best endorsement I've done for a long time!" and proceeded to fill out the paperwork!
That was when I realized why his nickname was squat switch, because he turns into a raving loony when the wheels retract!
However, afterwards I came to the conclusion that all he was doing was trying to simulate the pressure of a real emergency, and I'd have to admit, he did that better than anyone else I've flown with.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,693
Likes: 1,290
From: Australia
Manwell. I loved the story of Squat Switch. Made me wonder what brilliant student first thought of that nickname. During my time with Air Nauru in 1976, the company employed the Boeing 737 chief simulator instructor in Seattle who had originally trained our first two crews. The instructor's name was Joe Zizovsky - a hard nose instructor whom we called Joe Z.
Joe Z flew Catalinas in the SW Pacific during WW2. His method of instruction was based upon biting sarcasm. One day he was instructing a new former GA Australian pilot called Barry and giving Barry a hard time in the 737 simulator. At the completion of Barry's first session Joe Z summarised Barry's progress by saying "Barry - there is one thing for sure and that is you will never be killed flying a 737. That is because you are so far behind the aircraft that it will have crashed before you have caught up with it."
One of the instructors I had at Point Cook in 1952 was a bloke called Ted. I won't mention his surname but he was one of the trio of instructors mentioned in John Jacob's book Up and Away. Ted was the original Screaming Skull. Nothing would please him and I was in daily fear of being scrubbed. Then one day I fluked a neat crosswind landing in a Wirraway which at the best of times was a beast in crosswinds. Ted congratulated me on the landing and that is when I first felt I had become an example of the Stockholm Syndrome .
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which a victim develops positive feelings, empathy, and loyalty toward their abuser or captor. Coined after a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, it is not an official mental disorder but rather a coping mechanism or survival tactic developed in situations of physical or psychological threat, such as kidnappings, domestic abuse, or cults, to ensure one's safety and well-being.
With regards to the book I mentioned in my earlier post. It was called "Up and Away" by John Jacobs. john was on No. 6 RAAF Post War pilots bcourse at Point Cook. To put that in context I was No. 8 Course. See: https://victoriancollections.net.au/...4bcc71e7445bd8
Joe Z flew Catalinas in the SW Pacific during WW2. His method of instruction was based upon biting sarcasm. One day he was instructing a new former GA Australian pilot called Barry and giving Barry a hard time in the 737 simulator. At the completion of Barry's first session Joe Z summarised Barry's progress by saying "Barry - there is one thing for sure and that is you will never be killed flying a 737. That is because you are so far behind the aircraft that it will have crashed before you have caught up with it."
One of the instructors I had at Point Cook in 1952 was a bloke called Ted. I won't mention his surname but he was one of the trio of instructors mentioned in John Jacob's book Up and Away. Ted was the original Screaming Skull. Nothing would please him and I was in daily fear of being scrubbed. Then one day I fluked a neat crosswind landing in a Wirraway which at the best of times was a beast in crosswinds. Ted congratulated me on the landing and that is when I first felt I had become an example of the Stockholm Syndrome .
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which a victim develops positive feelings, empathy, and loyalty toward their abuser or captor. Coined after a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, it is not an official mental disorder but rather a coping mechanism or survival tactic developed in situations of physical or psychological threat, such as kidnappings, domestic abuse, or cults, to ensure one's safety and well-being.
With regards to the book I mentioned in my earlier post. It was called "Up and Away" by John Jacobs. john was on No. 6 RAAF Post War pilots bcourse at Point Cook. To put that in context I was No. 8 Course. See: https://victoriancollections.net.au/...4bcc71e7445bd8
Last edited by Centaurus; 20th September 2025 at 07:55.
Joined: Dec 2020
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 573
Likes: 295
From: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P8pihdksUHk&si=t_GX3ubmBvZ2CDgB
Interesting posts.
They help illustrate the difference between military and civilian flying training. The military avoided me, with ease When one leaves school at 15 with nothing hardly surprising.
The moron who did all the yelling, would be drummed out of a civilian flying school so fast, their head would spin.
Why? Because no person of sound mind, would want to fly with him. That type of individual is not an instructor. A destroyer would be a better description.
Personally I would have told them to "stick it... "
There is a lot of psychology involved in instructing, CRM and Captaincy. You won't get the best performance out of anyone behaving like that. You wont get much respect either.
Best is the silent method. Demonstrate, too others the way you would like it done and how to do it. Aim to make the demonstration, awe inspiring! For the right reasons.
Actions speak louder than words.
Baring in mind, "it's a poor student, that cant better the instuctor" at a later stage.
They help illustrate the difference between military and civilian flying training. The military avoided me, with ease When one leaves school at 15 with nothing hardly surprising.
The moron who did all the yelling, would be drummed out of a civilian flying school so fast, their head would spin.
Why? Because no person of sound mind, would want to fly with him. That type of individual is not an instructor. A destroyer would be a better description.
Personally I would have told them to "stick it... "
There is a lot of psychology involved in instructing, CRM and Captaincy. You won't get the best performance out of anyone behaving like that. You wont get much respect either.
Best is the silent method. Demonstrate, too others the way you would like it done and how to do it. Aim to make the demonstration, awe inspiring! For the right reasons.
Actions speak louder than words.
Baring in mind, "it's a poor student, that cant better the instuctor" at a later stage.
Last edited by RichardJones; 20th September 2025 at 18:13.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,693
Likes: 1,290
From: Australia
Interesting posts.
They help illustrate the difference between military and civilian flying training. The military avoided me, with ease When one leaves school at 15 with nothing hardly surprising.
The moron who did all the yelling, would be drummed out of a civilian flying school so fast, their head would spin.
Why? Because no person of sound mind, would want to fly with him. That type of individual is not an instructor. A destroyer would be a better description.
Personally I would have told them to "stick it... "
There is a lot of psychology involved in instructing, CRM and Captaincy. You won't get the best performance out of anyone behaving like that. You wont get much respect either.
Best is the silent method. Demonstrate, too others the way you would like it done and how to do it. Aim to make the demonstration, awe inspiring! For the right reasons.
Actions speak louder than words.
Baring in mind, "it's a poor student, that cant better the instuctor" at a later stage.
They help illustrate the difference between military and civilian flying training. The military avoided me, with ease When one leaves school at 15 with nothing hardly surprising.
The moron who did all the yelling, would be drummed out of a civilian flying school so fast, their head would spin.
Why? Because no person of sound mind, would want to fly with him. That type of individual is not an instructor. A destroyer would be a better description.
Personally I would have told them to "stick it... "
There is a lot of psychology involved in instructing, CRM and Captaincy. You won't get the best performance out of anyone behaving like that. You wont get much respect either.
Best is the silent method. Demonstrate, too others the way you would like it done and how to do it. Aim to make the demonstration, awe inspiring! For the right reasons.
Actions speak louder than words.
Baring in mind, "it's a poor student, that cant better the instuctor" at a later stage.
Far better for the simulator instructor to physically demonstrate the manoeuvre first and then hand over to the student to have a go. The usual excuse for not demonstrating a tricky sequence is that it cuts into the students time or that simulator time costs money. If it is good enough for instructors on light training types to first demonstrate a sequence (steep turns or landiings for example) then hand over to the student, then the same principle of instruction should apply to the more difficult exercises in a simulator. My bet is that the most of the time the instructor himself is not confident of successfully demonstrating a sequence which is why it rarely occurs.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
I was reading the autobiography of an Air Commodore colleague who was in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1951 where he was learning to fly on Tiger Moths. He said: "I must have been unlucky to draw the worst two instructors for my first 20 hours . These were two of a group of wartime pilots being retained by the RAAF for a short time but who were not likely to be given posts in he Permanent Air Force
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
I got washed out and went and pursued an engineering career elsewhere in the defence estate.. It took a couple of very patient civilian instructors a few years later to turn me into a half decent pilot (if I am!), and calm my permanently frazzled nerves whenever there was air under the tyres. I got over it through sheer determination, but I suspect a lot of potentially decent pilots never saw their potential because of him. Rumour has it he never went near a cockpit again after he retired a couple of years later, if so - good!
G
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,693
Likes: 1,290
From: Australia
I joined the RAF in 1989, my QFI was reputed to be the oldest serving pilot in the RAF at that time, still a Flight Lieutenant, and he'd missed every conflict going throughout his service. As a result, he had a major chip on his shoulder, hated students, and his approach wasn't far off this.
I got washed out and went and pursued an engineering career elsewhere in the defence estate.. It took a couple of very patient civilian instructors a few years later to turn me into a half decent pilot (if I am!), and calm my permanently frazzled nerves whenever there was air under the tyres. I got over it through sheer determination, but I suspect a lot of potentially decent pilots never saw their potential because of him. Rumour has it he never went near a cockpit again after he retired a couple of years later, if so - good!
G
I got washed out and went and pursued an engineering career elsewhere in the defence estate.. It took a couple of very patient civilian instructors a few years later to turn me into a half decent pilot (if I am!), and calm my permanently frazzled nerves whenever there was air under the tyres. I got over it through sheer determination, but I suspect a lot of potentially decent pilots never saw their potential because of him. Rumour has it he never went near a cockpit again after he retired a couple of years later, if so - good!
G
On the lighter side I remember the time on my flying instructor course at RAAF Central Flying School at East Sale, Victoria in Australia in 1955. In those days we flew Tiger Moths and Wirraways. I was short in stature and had trouble reaching the rudder pedals in both types of aircraft. I was undergoing the 25 hour test in a Tiger Moth prior to going on to the Wirraway. if I failed the test I would have been scrubbed off course.
The CFI was a kindly and rather droll chap. I passed the usual stuff like pattering spins, steep turns and a forced landing. But when it came to instructing aerobatics in the Tiger Moth I knew it was my weak point because I found it difficult to get full rudder when needed and I needed full rudder for Tiger Moth slow rolls. The CFI gave me two attemps at pattering slow rolls. My pattering was woeful and out of synch with my actions. I couldn't get enough rudder on to prevent dishing out during the recovery phase. . At the completion of the third attempt the CFI let me off the hook by saying " your general standard of instruction is good but when you get to Uranquinty Basic Flying Training School I suggest you should avoid teaching slow rolls." He then ticked the box for PASS. I shall l never forget his kind gesture.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 31
From: Brisbane
Interesting posts.
They help illustrate the difference between military and civilian flying training. The military avoided me, with ease When one leaves school at 15 with nothing hardly surprising.
The moron who did all the yelling, would be drummed out of a civilian flying school so fast, their head would spin.
They help illustrate the difference between military and civilian flying training. The military avoided me, with ease When one leaves school at 15 with nothing hardly surprising.
The moron who did all the yelling, would be drummed out of a civilian flying school so fast, their head would spin.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 31
From: Brisbane
Manwell.
Joe Z flew Catalinas in the SW Pacific during WW2. His method of instruction was based upon biting sarcasm. One day he was instructing a new former GA Australian pilot called Barry and giving Barry a hard time in the 737 simulator. At the completion of Barry's first session Joe Z summarised Barry's progress by saying "Barry - there is one thing for sure and that is you will never be killed flying a 737. That is because you are so far behind the aircraft that it will have crashed before you have caught up with it."
With regards to the book I mentioned in my earlier post. It was called "Up and Away" by John Jacobs. john was on No. 6 RAAF Post War pilots bcourse at Point Cook. To put that in context I was No. 8 Course. See: https://victoriancollections.net.au/...4bcc71e7445bd8
Joe Z flew Catalinas in the SW Pacific during WW2. His method of instruction was based upon biting sarcasm. One day he was instructing a new former GA Australian pilot called Barry and giving Barry a hard time in the 737 simulator. At the completion of Barry's first session Joe Z summarised Barry's progress by saying "Barry - there is one thing for sure and that is you will never be killed flying a 737. That is because you are so far behind the aircraft that it will have crashed before you have caught up with it."
With regards to the book I mentioned in my earlier post. It was called "Up and Away" by John Jacobs. john was on No. 6 RAAF Post War pilots bcourse at Point Cook. To put that in context I was No. 8 Course. See: https://victoriancollections.net.au/...4bcc71e7445bd8
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,693
Likes: 1,290
From: Australia
Manwell
I did run a small flying school at Essendon called Wings Flying School many years back. The owner was a car saleman keen on flying. He wasn't too keen when I insisted on writing up defects in the maintenance release. I saw the writing on the wall and got out before I was pushed. I was offered a job as a 737 simulator instructor and had the pleasure of training the first of the pilots for Virgin Blue. Loved the job and worked there for many years until they de-commissioned the old 737-300 around six years ago.
I did run a small flying school at Essendon called Wings Flying School many years back. The owner was a car saleman keen on flying. He wasn't too keen when I insisted on writing up defects in the maintenance release. I saw the writing on the wall and got out before I was pushed. I was offered a job as a 737 simulator instructor and had the pleasure of training the first of the pilots for Virgin Blue. Loved the job and worked there for many years until they de-commissioned the old 737-300 around six years ago.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,657
Likes: 500
From: Canada
I was reading the autobiography of an Air Commodore colleague who was in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1951 where he was learning to fly on Tiger Moths. He said: "I must have been unlucky to draw the worst two instructors for my first 20 hours . These were two of a group of wartime pilots being retained by the RAAF for a short time but who were not likely to be given posts in he Permanent Air Force
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
Obviously resenting this interim situation they relieved their bitterness by taking it out on the hapless student. During flight both used derogarory criticism and foul-mouthed abuse, the like of which I had never before heard. 'Fifty eight knots, fifty eight knots, not bloody fifty nine! Trim the f....g thing, you bloody moron! Didn't you hear me me say to trim it? Taking over, and I'll show you again, you dimwit, and if you don't f.....g get it right this time you can p...s off out of here!" I found this degrading treatment most humiliating but determined not to be humiliated particularly over the matter of trimming. Those early hours were almost a case of improving one's understanding and ability despite the instructors"
The words of my colleague struck a chord in my memory because when I learned to fly two courses after him, I had the misfortune to have the same instructor- an embittered man who was one of a trio of instructors known as the "screaming skulls." Many years later I met up with my old Commanding Officer who was in charge of these morons. It turned out he had absolutely no idea of the behaviour of these instuctors because in those days one had to take it with a stiff upper lip. It would be unheard of to report their behavior. One of those screaming skulls later even became a senior Department of Civil Aviation Examiner of Airmen. So much for the veracity of aptitude tests in those days
Joined: Feb 2015
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 358
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
In 40 hours of instruction, my very good and extremely nice flight instructor raised his voice to me just once. I had accumulated three hours and was struggling to complete a decent landing. After a well-flown approach, I had flared. I looked out the left window to see my altitude. Frank grabbed my chin, jerked my head 90º to look forward down the runway, and said rather loudly: "Don't ever do that again!" And I never did.
- Ed
- Ed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,693
Likes: 1,290
From: Australia
In 40 hours of instruction, my very good and extremely nice flight instructor raised his voice to me just once. I had accumulated three hours and was struggling to complete a decent landing. After a well-flown approach, I had flared. I looked out the left window to see my altitude. Frank grabbed my chin, jerked my head 90º to look forward down the runway, and said rather loudly: "Don't ever do that again!" And I never did.
- Ed
- Ed
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
Joined: Dec 2020
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 573
Likes: 295
From: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P8pihdksUHk&si=t_GX3ubmBvZ2CDgB
Civilian training, the student will have more of a choice. Remember, it is run as a business, so if old grumpy or, so in so starts scaring people away that will cost them money.
When I was instructing full time in the early '70's, my priority was to set a relaxed environment.
Humans perform best in that sought of environment.
A person can have all the knowledge in the world. However, if that person is unable to transfer knowledge to a young student in a reasonable fashion, they are not abinisio instructor material.
K.I.S!!. Keep It Simple.
What I loved about instructing was seeing the results of my efforts, teaching people. The results can be seen within a short time. Got a big kick out of seeing the students progressing.
Not saying I was good at it but i enjoyed it immensely.
Last edited by RichardJones; 25th September 2025 at 13:44.
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 931
From: Den Haag
I've seen it many times but what I find strange is the contrast between the pre-flight explanation off camera about the instructor/student relationship, the flight itself, and the post flight chat on the pan!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,657
Likes: 500
From: Canada
From an Instructors perspective Military instruction is the easiest you will ever see. Great equipment, a standardized curriculum, and a student body high graded for potential. There is simply no excuse for the Shyte from that RAF instructor. On short final the Instructor said "Just think THINK, now just relax 
" No wonder the guy is tense after that constant stream of abuse. 
" No wonder the guy is tense after that constant stream of abuse.
Last edited by Big Pistons Forever; 25th September 2025 at 16:50.
Guest
Joined: Oct 2006
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 471
Likes: 356
From: Scotland
When did the RAF revamp the flying training system? After the prog?
Would not have encouraged recruits - which is why the RAF was happy to have the program made
Would not have encouraged recruits - which is why the RAF was happy to have the program made
