Changing Instructors
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Ding,
that's a pretty disheartening tale. But, if you really want to do this, you'll pick yourself up and go on. There are thankfully few instructors like the one you describe.
I entirely understand the bad feelings engendered if someone is honestly told that they aren't up to a professional career in flying; there are more that can't do it than can, inevitably. However, there's never any excuse for victimisation, bad-mouthing or other intinidatory tactics.
A last point; sometimes instructors make mistakes. One of my students had a real problem when flying with me, to the extent that I suggested that she would never make it through professional training (her history with other instructors was similar). To make a real fool of me, she persevered and is now a Captain in a four-engined long-range transport. She's also a good mate, and is sometime found in the more disreputable parts of Pprune!
that's a pretty disheartening tale. But, if you really want to do this, you'll pick yourself up and go on. There are thankfully few instructors like the one you describe.
I entirely understand the bad feelings engendered if someone is honestly told that they aren't up to a professional career in flying; there are more that can't do it than can, inevitably. However, there's never any excuse for victimisation, bad-mouthing or other intinidatory tactics.
A last point; sometimes instructors make mistakes. One of my students had a real problem when flying with me, to the extent that I suggested that she would never make it through professional training (her history with other instructors was similar). To make a real fool of me, she persevered and is now a Captain in a four-engined long-range transport. She's also a good mate, and is sometime found in the more disreputable parts of Pprune!
The Original Whirly
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DingDucky, go get out there and prove the bastard wrong!!!
Or at the very least, know that you gave it your very best shot and left no stone unturned in your attempts to be a pilot.
A mate of mine, ex-army, learned to fly many years ago, told me about some World War 2 air ace who had problems learning to fly. Apparently he totalled at least one aircraft, the engineers dreaded him, and people thought he'd never make it. He did and ended up better than almost anyone else. People learn at different rates and in different ways, and everybody - including flying instructors - can sometimes be wrong.
[ 13 August 2001: Message edited by: Whirlybird ]
Or at the very least, know that you gave it your very best shot and left no stone unturned in your attempts to be a pilot.
A mate of mine, ex-army, learned to fly many years ago, told me about some World War 2 air ace who had problems learning to fly. Apparently he totalled at least one aircraft, the engineers dreaded him, and people thought he'd never make it. He did and ended up better than almost anyone else. People learn at different rates and in different ways, and everybody - including flying instructors - can sometimes be wrong.
[ 13 August 2001: Message edited by: Whirlybird ]
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<b>Whirly</b> - thanks for your contributions - I had very similar problems in the ab-initio stage and it's good to know I'm not alone.
<b>Scottishburd</b> - if your friend would like to email me I would be happy to talk to her too. As <b>CFI</b> has pointed out - if no-one bothers to check why we are having trouble landing, then the problem goes on and on. (It was a fellow female student who asked me if I could see over the nose when landing, when I was bewailing that I was having problems.)
With due respect to the more experienced contributors to this thread, I think there may be something in the gender issue. I had a hard time getting my PPL and after some people I knew had a terrible aircraft accident I felt that if I was to continue flying I needed to know more about it, so embarked on the CPL course. My self esteem was so low that when instructed to do a glide approach on my CPL test I apologised to the examiner, on landing, that I had not touched down on the piano keys. Luckily for me he burst out laughing and patted me on the shoulder saying "You greased it on - what are you worried about?"
So much depends on how the FI/testing officer responds to the student. The good teacher senses the right way to respond. sad that so many don't!
Still, this thread is positive in that so many of us overcame the setbacks a nd are still flying, for pleasure and/or profit
<b>Scottishburd</b> - if your friend would like to email me I would be happy to talk to her too. As <b>CFI</b> has pointed out - if no-one bothers to check why we are having trouble landing, then the problem goes on and on. (It was a fellow female student who asked me if I could see over the nose when landing, when I was bewailing that I was having problems.)
With due respect to the more experienced contributors to this thread, I think there may be something in the gender issue. I had a hard time getting my PPL and after some people I knew had a terrible aircraft accident I felt that if I was to continue flying I needed to know more about it, so embarked on the CPL course. My self esteem was so low that when instructed to do a glide approach on my CPL test I apologised to the examiner, on landing, that I had not touched down on the piano keys. Luckily for me he burst out laughing and patted me on the shoulder saying "You greased it on - what are you worried about?"
So much depends on how the FI/testing officer responds to the student. The good teacher senses the right way to respond. sad that so many don't!
Still, this thread is positive in that so many of us overcame the setbacks a nd are still flying, for pleasure and/or profit
The Original Whirly
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RV6,
Your last point is true, but having now discovered how often this sort of thing happens (I too thought it was just me) I wonder if we're just the tip of the iceberg. How many give up because of bad experiences? We know about DingDucky and Scottishburd's friend. A flying instructor friend of mine knows another (also female) who is too scared to fly again after being virtually forced to fly solo in marginal weather. But how many more are there? How common is this?
Your last point is true, but having now discovered how often this sort of thing happens (I too thought it was just me) I wonder if we're just the tip of the iceberg. How many give up because of bad experiences? We know about DingDucky and Scottishburd's friend. A flying instructor friend of mine knows another (also female) who is too scared to fly again after being virtually forced to fly solo in marginal weather. But how many more are there? How common is this?
Thread Starter
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Well I feel I owe it to the forum to reply to tell you all that I have made a positive step (but subtle) in changing instructors. In retrospect I get the impression that my original instructor basically prefers to teach more experienced pilots and not beginners.
Anyway, I have flown with others at the club and intend to continue to do so. My confidence has increased as a result of this which has renewed my inspiration and motivation. It wouldn't have stopped me from persuing a career in aviation however, but it still feels good when you get your flying right. I did an SRA (in poor visibility) the other day which was tremendous. Maybe just me but I found it very satisfying to get it correct in line with ATC. Ok no big deal to anybody experienced I suppose but I'm low hours.
Thanks to all your useful input and views.
Anyway, I have flown with others at the club and intend to continue to do so. My confidence has increased as a result of this which has renewed my inspiration and motivation. It wouldn't have stopped me from persuing a career in aviation however, but it still feels good when you get your flying right. I did an SRA (in poor visibility) the other day which was tremendous. Maybe just me but I found it very satisfying to get it correct in line with ATC. Ok no big deal to anybody experienced I suppose but I'm low hours.
Thanks to all your useful input and views.
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well a guy who was in my class has been in the chatroom. he seemed to take great joy is hassling me about how bad my landings were, refering to my last very bad landing :o
this does nothing to make me think that i could ever fly again. sure i only have one life and its what i want to do but i would probably fail at it again
oh and i told the guy that at least i never made a dash 8 go around! he said it made the papers, quite proud he was! i was at the holding point when this happened and i must say it was quite a sight
this does nothing to make me think that i could ever fly again. sure i only have one life and its what i want to do but i would probably fail at it again
oh and i told the guy that at least i never made a dash 8 go around! he said it made the papers, quite proud he was! i was at the holding point when this happened and i must say it was quite a sight
