Was wondering if any of you guys had a take on this.
Would you ever let a student, be it instrument, private or commercial, fly twice in one day?
My policy thus far is that I never schedule more than one flight a day, I just believe that they actually learn quite a bit between every flight, and during the night while sleeping. Be it muscle memory setting in, or the brain making connections while you're sleeping etc.
Of course your goal should always be to let the student finish in as few hours as he can manage safely, and as fast as he wants too (depending on how serious he is).
Most my students have limited time on visas, so they want to do training quickly, I was wondering if anyone had any experience as to if its recommended or not?
Since you students are Customers, you should let them schedule as many flights in a day as thy want. I have seen many schools and instructors forget the fact that the students are Customers.
When I initially earned my instrument rating (as a civilian) I went through a local school and due to time constraints worked it out so I would complete 2-3 events a day--with an "event" defined as a flight, simulator, or Elite 5.0 desktop session. I had just graduated high school and wasn't working before going to college. Flight training became my full time job for 14 days and I couldn't have been happier with the pace/quality of training. Very little time was wasted re-learning and I found myself in a learning groove.
To each their own. It worked for me and I'm sure it would not be the correct approach for others.
FWIW--the Navy definitely does not have a problem double-pumping (2+ events) students through flight training.
I don't schedule 2 flights per day unless one is solo and the other is dual. Most students can't handle 2 flights of 1.5 hours of dual unless they are CFIs are used to flying a few hours a day. I finished an MEI applicant last weekend, we flew two 2 hour flights in one day and he did fine.
I agree that students are customers but we as instructors are supposed to guide them to reach their goal. If the student hits a learning plateau after an hour, there is no point in doing another lesson and continuing the flight.
It depends on the student, I think. If they are studious and come prepared to each lesson, I'm willing to bet that they would get benefit out of a couple of flights in a day. If they are the type that show up having not cracked a book or thought about flying since the last time you saw them, then they are just going to be spending money, and not getting much out of it. There is also the option of doubling up time slots so that it's just one long flight vs. two short ones. This way, they spend less time doing the mundane things like flying to and from the practice areas, taxiing, etc. This can get exhausting though, so you have to watch out for fatigue both in yourself and in the student.
I did have some students that wanted to do this. For some I was glad to, and for others I did, but advised them to either ramp up their study habits to match their flight schedule, or vice versa.
I know that's not really an answer, but I suppose it's not really a black and white sort of thing really, either.
__________________
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
It depends on the student, I think. If they are studious and come prepared to each lesson, I'm willing to bet that they would get benefit out of a couple of flights in a day. If they are the type that show up having not cracked a book or thought about flying since the last time you saw them, then they are just going to be spending money, and not getting much out of it. There is also the option of doubling up time slots so that it's just one long flight vs. two short ones. This way, they spend less time doing the mundane things like flying to and from the practice areas, taxiing, etc. This can get exhausting though, so you have to watch out for fatigue both in yourself and in the student.
I did have some students that wanted to do this. For some I was glad to, and for others I did, but advised them to either ramp up their study habits to match their flight schedule, or vice versa.
I know that's not really an answer, but I suppose it's not really a black and white sort of thing really, either.
I agree very much on what is outlined in bold.
I mean, I've had some students that really know a lot, and it shows that they are actually dedicated to what they're doing, and study every day.
But then you have those that NEVER come fully prepared for anything. The people that don't understand that the theory and the flying are tightly knit together.
I had a guy I took through single cpl add-on, cfi and cfii. And with him I could just do 2 flights a day + orals and he would be right on the money.
Then I have people I try to space further apart, even give them 1-2 days to prepare for a flight/oral, and they will show up and look like big question marks when I cut their engine or ask them anything from a study assignment.
Guess it's on a case by case basis for my part. However, I do disagree with the customer thing to some extent. Yes they are paying, but they are paying me to teach them how to fly, not for sight seeing.
My question really, can then be boiled down to if people do it with good students, the ones that are prepared, or if they still prefer only one flight activity every day
Well first off it's awfully judgmental of you to say only someone with a CFI can handle more than one flight a day, but moving past that, if someone wants to spend their money they will find a place to spend it elsewhere if you won't let them. I mean a student pilot can easily double their flight experience in two days if they do four flights over those two days, also, considering they're not involved in anything else on those days it would definitely get their mind thinking, I've learned a lot of tidbits regarding aviation just by flying along and noticing something and having that become a question in my brain to find th answer to later.
I guess this is what it boils down to... how does it become unsafe, inefficient or illegal for them to fly more than once a day? And "I think" is not an argument.
I did 2 and occasionally 3 activities a day (flight, sim, or discussion) when working on my IFR, and it was beneficial to me. The pace was quick, I studied between slots, and am glad I did. Occasionally our students have doubles (4 year degree 141 program), but only if they either request it or have no other availability during the week (because flight is a course with college credit, they have to set aside a certain amount of time).
I never had a student that didn't want to fly twice a day. They all do well and complete the course and move on!
Most realize that the primary reason they are here is to study and fly and we accomadate that at my school. Now, what I do find is most like to take the weekend off and relax which is OK with me!!
In Air Force UPT we did 2 flights a day when we could fit it into the schedule.
cliff
NBO
PS-I agree that I think the major factor is if it is helping the student, then do it 1,2,or 3 flights a day, whichever is best for them. More flights, if they can absorb the info, means a more continuous learning curve, and less money wasted repeating stuff. Do what is best for the customer!
Similar Threads
Letting a student fly twice in one day?
Linear Mode
