The hundred hour student

[Colonel]

Exactly. I knew it was time to quit instructing, when a PPL/aircraft owner bitched
and whined about $50 for an hour of formation flight training (ground time was free).

Evidently he didn't think my time was worth that. He's allowed to have that opinion.
I'm also allowed to go do something else.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Fair enough. Would you just not take on people who couldn’t commit? Penalize long spans between bookings? Just kick them out if the progress isn’t there?

Before I would start their training I would give them a intro ride and observe how their appitude for flying is.

Before they start I tell them that they need to fly as often as possible as long breaks in training will prolong the flying time needed to meet the skills requirement to pass the flight test.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Everything you need to know how to maneuver an airplane you learn in the PPL presolo initial exercises 5 to 9 (attitudes and movements, straight and level, climbs, descents and turns)

As I got more experience as an instructor I started to understand how important it was to make sure that students could fly all these maneuvers to a good solid standard before I moved on to the other presolo exercises.

The result that my time to get the students to the circuit probably doubled for the average student. But we spent a lot less time in the circuit and time to the flight test went down and flight test scores were significantly higher.

The problem is ex 5 to 9 is rather tedious to teach and sadly many instructors are not particularly good at a perfect demonstration of these maneuvers.

There is no question that most FTU’s are located at busy airports which generates long ground waits and lengthy transits to practice areas. This is definitely part of the reason we are seeing an increase in the time required to get to the PPL flight test, but I also think many students slow progression is a lack of emphasis at the beginning of flight training on the foundation flying skills. Weak skills with the basics hobbles the student throughout their training

[Slick Goodlin]

Or they are completely corrupt and gaming the socialist government with student subsidies.

Correct. It’s kind of amazing how those subsidies can be gamed by a clever admissions department.

Either way, that's a fucked up school. Which I think a guy I know, is Chair of (ahem). He used to own a really nice red Stinson, back when he worked at General Dynamics as an engineer.

Nah, I’d be shocked and appalled if the place I’m thinking of would ever get someone so qualified.

[Colonel]

Check your PM's and tell me I'm wrong

[Slick Goodlin]

Check your PM's and tell me I'm wrong

I’m all for it but you gotta send that PM first.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

You are not gonna believe this Colonel, I can't find where to access my. P.M.s.

I must be getting senile.

[Colonel]

Ok. PM's sent to both of you. Really this time.

Chuck, scroll up to the top right corner, and click on the number left of your name.

[Colonel]

Ok, now that we're all PM'ing ....

I have no idea, how the Hell they got Greg to take over that f--kshow
of a puppy mill. He's one of the good guys.

[Slick Goodlin]

I have no idea, how the Hell they got Greg to take over that f--kshow
of a puppy mill. He's one of the good guys.

Hopefully it’s getting turned around then. I just realized it’s been ten years since they probably would have fired me (ten and a half since I left). There was a lot of house cleaning going on not long after I headed out and anyone who wasn’t a yes man or had retirement on the horizon had a reason found to be removed. Myself and my young (at the time) cohorts have all done well, I probably did the worst but whatever, and even the folks who thought they were career instructors have come out ahead in the long run so I guess the joke’s on the school after all.

Speaking of yes men, I should tell y’all about my interview with them sometime.