Is this common?
 

There was a keen student at my club. Studied hard, passed law and nav, went solo, passed the rest of the exams, did solo cross countries, then stopped!

His medical is valid, he still has money in his flying account which he hasn't used, he always seemed enthusiastic, he hasn't moved house, he just stopped.

I could perhaps understand someone after first solo feeling they have gone as far as they want to, or giving up if they feel they aren't getting anywhere. But do students often spend thousands of pounds and put in lots of effort only to throw it all away just when the end is in sight?

Have you tried a follow up to the student, might get an insight into the problem, I agree it's agreat shame that someone can get this far then kick it all into touch.......maybe it's domestic or one of thousands reasons, you won't know unless you ask, appreciate it's not your job to chase students but maybe in this case it a rule could be broken.

I have had this a couple of times - on both occassions it turned out it was lack of time, often people learning to fly who have the money lack the time, often highly successful businessmen who have a new project on.

It is common for people to stop suddenly, but not usually after their first solo and definately not if they've still got money in their account!!

As foxmouth said, it's often due to a lack of time, and maybe needing a break as the run up to first solo can sometimes be a bit hectic for a student.
Give him a call, at least he'll know you're thinking about him, and that makes customers feel good. They're more likely to come back if they think you actually care.

Money to burn
 

Lack of time is generally the cause of someone stopping training with the end in sight. And has been said, new projects although I would dare to say most of these people generally complete their licence then move on to do something else. Seems silly to those of us dedicated to flying as a career, but to many others it is just a hobby and nothing more.

Kermie

In the helicopter world, this can be quite a common occurrence however, it is generally due to:
1. Money
2. Time
3. Outside pressure (such as spouse uneasiness etc)

As you say, your student has no money concerns and the end is in sight however, there is obviously some other influence in play here and it is not uncommon for that to be personal anxiety about what he has embarked upon. I had a student walk purely because he had read about one too many accidents in the papers. Finally, check your instructional staff....is there any possible conflict there?
No easy answers with lots-o-options; if you do discover the problem and can fix it - go for it!:)

Hey Doc,

He didn't leave just prior to September 11th did he?

As a student, the following have contributed to my deathly slow progress with my PPL :

- hard to take time off from work
- crappy weather
- availability of my preferred instructor
- girlfriend troubles
- other demands on time like gliding
- maintaining skills between lessons

In particular the last makes it hard to work up any enthusiasm for going flying as you know it's probably going to be a couple of hours before you are anywhere near back in the groove...

I've am going to try and get 'air-sharp' by glider flying, then try and make a concentrated attempt to get my PPL finished...

What have other students experienced ?