Originally Posted by
wheresmyplane
I wouldn't go so far as to call it irresponsible, but I would have to ask what's the point? A primary student should be looking out the window anyway - the shiny screens are just going to distract (oh, and cost a lot more money too). I have to question the ethics of all these schools that stick someone in a glass airplane for early training.
Bingo! I'd just as soon cover up all the gauges until after they learn to fly straight and level competently.
Any primary student should learn by looking out the window, feel the airplane and learn what it feels like, how it behaves etc... there's plenty of time to learn all the rest of it as a student works on more advanced certificates/ratings, but the simple joy of being a VFR pilot is sometimes lost on many of the guys I fly with.
After over 1,000 dual given, I'm not too likely to want to start teaching private students again (but when you're furloughed, beggars etc...). However the good ones are always willing to learn to fly "heads up" before they're willing to try and impress you with how well they can fly a Warrior or 172 like it's Flight Sim.