Multiple vs One instructor for PPL(A) - students and instructors opinions requested

[bergkamp1]

Hi,

during my PPL course i've had many instructors for one reason or another. the bulk of my lessons have been spent with 3 instructors (not rotating but forced migration after incumbent instructor gets job offer etc). also i've done 1 lesson with 4 others, (trial, people leave etc).

it should be said i've got no problems as i find it interesting to pick up different opinions/tips and compare styles of teaching.

but there are also some downsides. a new instructor needs time to find the student's bad habits and assess the skill level in order to progress the syllabus. also if the written notes aren't very detailed it's hard for the new instructor to be confident of what has and hasn't been taught.

i'd be interested to hear other students and instructors views on this subject...

[foxmoth]

Best if you can keep the same instructor right through, with the occasional flight with another provided the club has a good standardisation policy for its instructors. Often this is not possible due to migration, sickness days off etc. but you do not want to be flying with a different instructor every trip.

[Leclairage]

Hi, I learned with a well-known Flying School at Redhill. I started with one instructor, and because I wanted to fly 7 days a week had to do some flights with another. Lucky I did. The first instructor had a really aggressive, intimidating style, and I hadn't realised how much harder that made it to learn, until I flew with the second instructor, who was a tremendous teacher, and has subsequently become a good friend, even though he has moved on to airlines.
The second Instructor took me right through to PPL, although I occasionaly flew with a third instructor. This was REALLY helpful to me. I learned stuff I hadnt learned off my regular guy, simply because his teaching style was different, and he covered the syllabus in a slightly different way.
So. My advice would be :
1. First find a School/Instructor you are really comfortable with
2. Fly with other instructors occasionaly - for me it was a really positive experience

Hope this helps.

[Mad Girl]

I've only done 20 hours so far (5 aero's, 15 PPL).

Aero's
In that time I've flown only one 1/2 hour session with another instructor (CFI) for aero's (and he taught my instructor!!!).
Very different aero's style (more gentle) from my usual guy, but I'll stick with what I know ('cos it's fun!!) until I've got my PPL and then I may request another go with the CFI as he's so damn Goooood!!!.

With the PPL....
I've flown for 1 hour with someone else early on in my training (who I'd never met before) and found the guy was too easy, probably because I was so nervous of flying with someone else. Didn't learn as much in the time as I'm used to.

I also recently flew 1 hour with someone else (who I knew), purely because my guy was away for the day, when I was having problems with landing (Phobia????) .
She had a different style and managed to get me putting the wheels on the runway again .
My normal guy is back and now I've got over the phobia we're going at our normal - time is money pace.

I'm sticking to the one instructor 'cos we get on great and he pushs me when I need it.

I'd hate to be in the situation that I had to keep changing instructors as it takes so long to build up my confidence and the rapport if I don't know them beforehand - waste of money!!!

[Whirlybird]

I'm not sure that there's a general rule. Different instructional styles suit different people, and you don't always know that in the beginning. A very good instructor for some people can be all wrong for others. Similarly, if you get stuck at trying to do something like landing, a fresh approach may well make things click.

On the other hand, you don't want to be changing instructors every session; the instructor won't know what you're like or what you've done, and you probably won't be able to relax.

So as others have been saying, probably sticking with one, but with a change now and then, is the best. But make sure it's one you like, and if you have the slightest inkling that the instructor may be the cause of any problems, try flying with someone else. Your instructor shouldn't mind, and if he/she does, maybe you should stay away from that person, as egotistical flying instructors are not helpful to their students. And if your instructor leaves, well, it really isn't the end of the world either.

To a certain extent, flying training is a DIY activity. And to a certain extent, this is no bad thing. You can't be a student for life, and sometimes making that jump from student to pilot in command is the hardest thing for someone to learn. Taking on responsibility for your own training early on is not a bad idea.

[DRJAD]

Personal experience encompassed several (about 12 I think) instructors during PPL.

I felt it beneficial, it gave me more dimensions to appreciate, and I was very clear about what I wanted from each session, and would question instructors accordingly if necessary. I think there was also a benefit from the fact that the instructors, whilst being mostly part-time, were willing to communicate with each other - I'm sure that was beneficial for all students in the school, so that their particular weaknesses and strengths were common currency within the instructor set.

In other words, if a school is good, with a good atmosphere, and the student is prepared to take an active part in his/her development, then mulltiple instructors can be good.

[EGBKFLYER]

Agree with most of the sentiments here. One important thing is that student records are kept up to date - one of my students flies with other instructors too and it's quite difficult to keep continuity and progress going if I don't see the other instructors and they don't update the record.