| Al: you mentioned in your scale note that your students take an
average of 4-6 weekends to solo. I've had 4-6 weekends several
times over and can barely fly a straight line! Well, I've just
started figure 8s. But what with fiddle-futzing around trying to
get an instructor, I've averaged 1 or 2 flights, one day a week;
I know that this is unnacceptable, I'm trying to change this.
My total time now is about 35 minutes; so actually, I'm pretty
close to what other students in our club are doing with the same
amount of time. I keep a log book, but as I was commenting a
recently to another student, I'm really concerned that I will
inadvertently compare myself to others: its hard to keep
objective and know that you're running your own show.
I've also made some pretty sharp comments at our club secretary
(he organizes the instructor program) on the topic of pick-up
instructors; I think that instructors and students should
exchange phone numbers, make appointments to meet, and have goals
for every session. Anything else is just wasting time; I sit
around for up to two hours waiting for an instructor; as I said
before, they do a lot of flying of their own planes, and drinking
coffee. I don't begrudge them this, but I think that the
instructor badge (we have badges) implies a certain committment.
What kind of a program and arrangements do you have with your
students? Any other instructors out there care to present the
other side of the picture?
I hope that you won't see any of yourself in my comments; I know
nothing of your methods; and indeed, what I've said above about
our club may be the general run of things...maybe I expect too
much.
So when can I fly to Phoenix for a lesson or two?
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