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Good points above. One of the hardest things for an instructor is to let mistakes just happen. This was one of the more difficult behaviors for me to over-come. I know the more veterened I got, the less I cared if a student banged one in(you know, the borderline landing that might or might not have set the ELT off). Things like those are hard for us as instructors to let go, but in the end, you have to so the student can see the "Worst Case" scenario and hopefully the next time be able to recognize the sypmtoms and recover before they set it up again.
Now if they continue to make these major mistakes over and over, and it's becoming a safety issue, have another instructor go with them and see if there's something you are missing. Using another set of eyes/ears/brains is one of the best tools out there that are definately under-utilized. As long as you got 2 instructors, have an even switch so each person doesn't feel as if they are getting shorted also. |
Originally Posted by Pilotpip
(Post 131095)
When I was a "new" instructor (I've only been doing it for a year, still learning new things every day) I had a commercial student who had been flying for a few years and had as many or more hours than I did tell me "I know how to fly, don't touch anything when I make a mistake unless it's going to kill us". Not realizing it, I was stepping in every time he made did something such as missing a checklist item. As a result, he was constantly missing these items. Since then I've done my best to just make a note of it or step in only when the situation dictates it.
I've been instructing for 4 months now, and it is very hard to not step in right away when a student misses something. I also have a student who may not be meant to fly an airplane, and I have had the talk with her, but she wants to keep trying. She is going to meet with a female DE which I think will be good for her to get an experienced woman's perspective on women in aviaton. Good luck with your student. |
No, somebody else. You didn't miss anything. I was new and extremely jumpy at that time as I'm sure you can relate to. This guy was a little later down the line.
Now I'm at the point where I have to keep from cringing or doing anything else obvious when something ugly (but not dangerous) is about to happen. One other thing I should point out. I think it's important for instructors to talk to their peers about issues students may have. We have limited experiences and often limit our teaching to problems we know (like one's we've had in the past). There have been a number of experiences where a student "didn't get it" and all it took was trying a different approach suggested by another instructor or having the student fly once with somebody else. |
Send him up with another CFI. Not being rude or saying anything about your skills. Just with another CFI he won't feel comfortable which I think is the issue. I've come across this.
As a cfi you are always doing little things here and there. Either you don't realize you are doing them or they are so little you do them and don't say anything. In my case I'm always doing them on purporse but don't say anything because I'm already correcting him enough and there is only so much I can correct him on before he'd feel like I'm beating him like a borrowed mule and he won't learn anything at all. The student knows what you do and don't do. Most likely on a subconsious level. Send him up with another CFI. Good cop/bad cop style. Have the other CFI tell him he isn't doing anything for the entire flight except scanning for aircraft. Your student will know he is on his own and will do much better. I personally always flew my best on checkrides because of that. however my orals have always sucked which is why i'm panicing about regional interviews lol. Just my .02 Also positive reinforcement is good to help a student learn. Once you know he knows the materials I find it very effective to come down on him. However do it using terms like "I know you can do this I've seen you do it before but this isn't going to cut it". Serously it makes them do better. While I've never taught an instrument student I've used it on ALL my airforce peeps and I haven't had one fail yet after 38 students :D |
Originally Posted by multipilot
(Post 129758)
This is a question for you CFI's out there. I have a student who is nearing the end of his instrument training but is still having quite a bit of difficulty. I think it all boils down to a lack of confidence. His knowledge isn't that bad and he can fly an airplane ok, but he can't demonstrate that he can do everything on his own. He is constantly behind the airplane.
I am constantly having to remind him to do his checklists and tell him what to say on the radios. Every time approach gives him a clearance or instruction he then looks at me and asks if we should do what the controller told him to do. He also begins over-controlling anytime his workload increases. He also demonstrates very poor situational awareness and judgement. To give you an idea, recently while VFR and practicing holding patterns, approach told him there was traffic inbound to the VOR he was holding over at the same altitude and only a short distance away. He failed to acknowledge the controller or take any corrective action to avoid the other traffic. When asked if he heard the radio call, he said he did but showed no concern for the other traffic and continued holding at that altitude. I give him positive reinforcement when he does something right and have tried to let him fly approaches, holds, etc. without any help from me to try and build his confidence. I literally have had to sit on my hands and let him fly, brief approaches, talk on the radios, etc but he continues to be behind the airplane. It seems as if he has plateaued the last several weeks as he is not making any real progress. I am trying to arrange for him to do a flight with another instructor so maybe he can hear it from someone else other than me, but it is likely that won't be possible for another week. I am confident if I were to sign him off for a checkride he would not pass on the first attempt. Any tips or advice would greatly be appreciated. Not everyone is cutout to be a pilot, much less comerical/ATP.. at some point you need to just tell him "look for anther career".. I've had to do that with a few students in my days as a CFI.. |
Thanks for everyone's input so far. I honestly believe its a cognitive issue with this particular student. His reasoning, judgment, and awareness skills are simply not there. For example, we flew four days ago and tower assigned him a routine taxi clearance to taxi to the runway via taxiway H. We get this clearance 97% of the time. He then proceeds to taxi to a taxiway D at midfield. When I asked him what it was he was doing, he said he was taxiing to taxiway H and points at D. Hopefully after spring break I will be able to schedule a flight for him with the chief instructor. After that, depending on how it goes, we will more than likely sit down with him and have a discussion.
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Originally Posted by multipilot
(Post 132088)
Thanks for everyone's input so far. I honestly believe its a cognitive issue with this particular student. His reasoning, judgment, and awareness skills are simply not there. For example, we flew four days ago and tower assigned him a routine taxi clearance to taxi to the runway via taxiway H. We get this clearance 97% of the time. He then proceeds to taxi to a taxiway D at midfield. When I asked him what it was he was doing, he said he was taxiing to taxiway H and points at D. Hopefully after spring break I will be able to schedule a flight for him with the chief instructor. After that, depending on how it goes, we will more than likely sit down with him and have a discussion.
Also, as others have said, one of the best things you can do is to simply not do anything (unless its dangerous). I recall things as simple as forgetting the takeoff checklist, and of course my instructor noticed I forgot, but when tower called to say "XXX11 not receiving transponder, recycle". uh...oops. Its embarrassing to make mistakes, and you learn from them. I also recall the first time I did a tail strike on landing, getting my PPL...flared too much. It wasn't terrible, or dangerous, but it was embarrassing. I dont have any of my CFI ratings...it definately sounds like a challenge. I dont think I could break it to people that they should look for a new career! |
tail strike on landing? That is pretty tough to do, and it could be dangerous. any part of the aircraft touching the ground besides the gear is a serious thing. My curiousity is wondering how you pulled such a feat, and seriously not being sarcastic.
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Originally Posted by multipilot
(Post 132088)
Thanks for everyone's input so far. I honestly believe its a cognitive issue with this particular student. His reasoning, judgment, and awareness skills are simply not there.
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Originally Posted by sigep_nm
(Post 132153)
tail strike on landing? That is pretty tough to do, and it could be dangerous. any part of the aircraft touching the ground besides the gear is a serious thing. My curiousity is wondering how you pulled such a feat, and seriously not being sarcastic.
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