Learning to fly is not easy. For the potential student, choosing a flying school is very important. But it is equally necessary to find the right flying instructor.
Very Experienced, or New to Instructing?
Many students want to fly with the most experienced instructor they can find. They reason that the person who has been flying and teaching for years and years will be very good at it, and will be able to pass on all their knowledge. This is often true. However, the high hours instructor may be set in his or her ways, somewhat bored with teaching new students, or have other commitments such as instructing those working towards commercial licences. The newer instructor, on the other hand, will have learned all the modern instructional techniques very recently, will probably be very enthusiastic since the job is new to him, and may well be able to give the student undivided attention when he needs it. So this is not really the most important point to consider. However, the student does need to make sure that his instructor is committed to teaching. Some flying instructors are merely doing the job to gain flying hours required for an airline job in the future. While some of these people are dedicated instructors, some are not, and it is best to try to find out which is which.
One Instructor for the Whole Course?
Some flying school give a student the same instructor for all or most of the flying course. This is useful, as it means there is continuity, with the instructor coming to know the student and being quite sure of what he has been taught in a previous lesson. However, especially if a student is having a difficulty with a particular exercise – and most people do at some point in the course – a different approach can often be useful. So it can be good to have an occasional change of instructor, or to fly with two or three on a regular basis. But beware the flying school that simply sends its students flying with a different person every time; this is simply not an effective way for most people to learn.
Personality Issues
It is important for the student to get on fairly well with his instructor. After all, they will be sharing a very small cockpit for a significant period of time, and personality clashes and flying do not go together well. But they do not have to be great buddies! A professional approach, with respect and rapport on both sides, will make for a relaxed environment in the cockpit – and relaxation is the key to learning to fly.
So How Can the Student Find the Right Instructor?
Once a student has found the school where he wants to fly, it is good to spend some time there, talking to people and asking questions. He can therefore meet some of the instructors, and also find out what other students think of them. He will probably take a trial flying lesson at some point, and this will give him a better knowledge of at least one instructor. He should also make sure that the school will allow him to choose who to learn with, and ensure that he can change instructor if the first one does not work out well. It is the student’s own flying course and his money, so he should make sure that he can have at least a certain amount of choice about how he wishes to learn.
And then…it is time for the student to take the plunge, book a trial lesson, and start on one of the most enjoyable and exciting activities there is, whether for a hobby or a new career!
Further Reading
Trial Flight Guide, Aeroplane – Dorothy Pooley, Pooley’s Flight Equipment Ltd, 2002.
Trial Flight Guide, Helicopter – Ruth Downey, Pooley’s Flight Equipment Ltd, 2007.
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