Hello all, I got a question for ya'll....

Would it be a bad idea to train with two instuctors and two different airplanes at the same time?

Why I ask - I'm saving money to pay cash for my flight training, it will take me about one more year from now before I can quit my job and train full time. In the meantime I've been working on my Private on Saturdays. My instructor does the church and family thing on Sundays and on weekdays I'm too exhausted after work to be IMSAFE. So long story short my instructor has an important job that has him traveling all over and sometimes we can't fly on Saturdays because he is out of town. Needless to say I was pretty bummed yesterday as there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it would have been the first time I was up in calm winds and not at minimums ( yes I got broken in good ) Ok wrapping this up... I get along with the instructor fine and stuff like that but I was thinking of finding someone who can fly Sundays as well and well... that would be in a Piper Cherokee and I've been flying in a 172M.

So what do ya'll think? Are the two planes similar enough that it wouldn't matter or would the experience in two different planes benefit me in the long run? or for that matter would having the wisdom of two different instuctors experience be as beneficial as it sounds? I'll be sticking to Jeppesen's 141 syllabus so as long as the instructors are straight up I should just be able to keep working my way through the syllabus right?

thanks ya'll, Jeff

 

Stay with one instructor, and one aircraft type. If your current instructor isn't cutting it for whatever reason, you need to switch instructors.

 

That's where I have a problem - I'm not seeing it as my instructor isn't cutting it per se but more of I'm being impatient? please correct me if I'm wrong! however I don't want to go weeks without flying, out of town one week, bad weather the next, etc, etc. I'm on top of the game mentally when I show up for instruction but my motor skills be lacking.

 

Sounds like you need a new instructor... even though he's a good guy, the schedule is not going to work out for you.

 

Ugh! I hate it because I know you're right... thanks rickair and emsgoof. I think that is maybe where I was trying to go with the two instructor thing... eventually work my way to just using one but not burn bridges or whatnot... anyhow thanks again guys.

 

I don't see a problem with using two instructors. I did it pre-solo.

Switching between a Cherokee and 172, though, especially pre-solo, doesn't sound good. Post solo, maybe, but it will take you longer in the long run to be equally proficient in both airplanes to a PPL standard. The 172 and the Cherokee land a lot differently and the panel set up is different. Not a big deal post PPL, and even pre-PPL, it would benefit you to see two types. If you are trying to do it in min time at min cost, though, changing planes isn't going to help your goals.

You're probably in a very remote area with few choices, plus, you really limit yourself by only being able to fly weekends.

 

Two instructors isn't a problem, necessarily, though you'd need to make sure you weren't being taught contrary ways of doing things. Having two sets of eyes critiquing you could add some extra insight.

Two different aircraft models, however, is a different issue, especially when we're talking high-wing versus low-wing. Once you've got your PPL under your belt, it's not such a big deal, but getting used to one aircraft is enough for now.

 

Minimum time and cost - no, all the hours count right? and shoot I am not rich but in the big picture a few thousand isn't going to really be a factor - at least that's how I see it. Don't get me wrong I don't want to throw my money away but I'd rather spend a few extra hours here and there perfecting my skills!

Very remote area - no, but very few choices yes! - my part time instructor lives in the same town as me and we fly out of the local FBO so that is cool, out of the five or six schools in my area however only one has openings - the others either have lack of instructors or waiting lists. Same goes for the plane I can continue in a 172H at the "new" place but its a popular choice while the Cherokee is more readily availible.

I didn't think switching planes would be a good idea thanks ya'll for confirmation. Roger out, Jeff.

PS - I'd love to train full time but that isn't going to happen right now or even very soon!

 

get a new instructor, he shouldn't take it personally. Like RIckair said, it's just a problem with scheduling... had the same problem a couple years ago, I felt as if I was betraying him, but he understood.

You got to do what's best for YOU... and waiting 2 weeks to fly one hour mean's you'll have your commercial in 10 years