I think every new private pilot should be given an expectations talk. I hear about private students no showing lessons, or not going to ground school classes. I think these students would benefit most from hearing what is expected of them if they want to become a safe, and possibly professional pilot. During a first lesson talk I would keep things broad, and big picture. The student needs to show up on time, and be prepared for each lesson. I would think of the talk as expectations for completing the rating. I expect them to work hard until completion. The student needs to know that this training is up to them. They need to take it seriously, but know that I am not going to spoon feed them everything they need to know. There will be lots of things they need to study and learn on their own. I will always be there to answer any questions. The student will be sent home after each lesson with new material to study in preparation for the next lesson. I expect them to come to the next lesson prepared, and with any questions.
I would like to hear from the student what they expect to get out of the training? What do they expect of me?
Before each lesson the student should be told what is expected, and what it takes for them to pass the lesson. Expectations other then that I would leave for a time when it is more pertinent.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
A New Student
The first thing I would look at if I received a new student who has started into their training is their folder. What lesson are they on? I would like to read the comments on each lesson sheet, and look at the grades they received for each lesson. Where have they been struggling? Excelling? It would be great to talk to the previous instructor to get a feel for the student and their progress. I would ask about the personality of the student. Does it seem like they learn best a certain way? Have they shown any hazardous attitudes during their training? What is their motivation level?
Talking to the student I would first get a feel for the student. Just asking the normal ice breaking questions. What got you into flying? Where do you want to take your career? Do you have any other experience? I would also look for some feedback about their experience with their last instructor. Is there anything they would like to see done differently? What did they like about their last instructor? If there were any noticeable weak areas after looking in the folder I would talk to the student about those. Do they know there are weak areas? If so, what can we do to help improve on those?
Ground knowledge may take a little longer to get a feeling for. I would ask the student more questions then normal before each flight to probe other areas and see if they have any weak spots, or misunderstandings. I would also talk to the previous instructor and see what they covered with the student. Were there any ground sessions where the student had trouble grasping the material? Have they been prepared for each lesson, or do they promote spoon-feeding?
I think there are many factors that come into play when exchanging students like this. The previous instructor should be a great resource to get some background. I think if the student has any weak areas that haven't been found by the last instructor, or from looking at the folder, etc. that they will come out on their own. They will be noticeable when flying or studying with the student. Also, building a good relationship with the student will promote communication. I would like them to come to me if they have a problem or feel something is wrong. They should not be afraid to voice any concerns they have.
Talking to the student I would first get a feel for the student. Just asking the normal ice breaking questions. What got you into flying? Where do you want to take your career? Do you have any other experience? I would also look for some feedback about their experience with their last instructor. Is there anything they would like to see done differently? What did they like about their last instructor? If there were any noticeable weak areas after looking in the folder I would talk to the student about those. Do they know there are weak areas? If so, what can we do to help improve on those?
Ground knowledge may take a little longer to get a feeling for. I would ask the student more questions then normal before each flight to probe other areas and see if they have any weak spots, or misunderstandings. I would also talk to the previous instructor and see what they covered with the student. Were there any ground sessions where the student had trouble grasping the material? Have they been prepared for each lesson, or do they promote spoon-feeding?
I think there are many factors that come into play when exchanging students like this. The previous instructor should be a great resource to get some background. I think if the student has any weak areas that haven't been found by the last instructor, or from looking at the folder, etc. that they will come out on their own. They will be noticeable when flying or studying with the student. Also, building a good relationship with the student will promote communication. I would like them to come to me if they have a problem or feel something is wrong. They should not be afraid to voice any concerns they have.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Class is over.
I learned alot in this class and really enjoyed the various types of activites and hands on assignments. Im coming away with a whole new understanding, and look on multiengine airplanes. I always just sort of assumed that with all that power, and not to mention more then one engine, that twins were harmless. Learning about the effects of loosing an engine really opened my eyes. Im excited to get into this new dimension of flying!
This was by far the best ground school I've had at westminster. I know I may have not looked too enthused sometimes in class, but that was only because it was 8am. Jeapordy was a great way to lighten up review. I never learned much from the normal powerpoint crammed with an overview of everything. Jeapordy was a great way to jog my memory, and it was very helpful in knowing what to study and what to expect.
Blogging is still a bit foreign, but Im coming around. I do like being able to get on and look at what other students are up to, and what they have to say.
Let it snow!
This was by far the best ground school I've had at westminster. I know I may have not looked too enthused sometimes in class, but that was only because it was 8am. Jeapordy was a great way to lighten up review. I never learned much from the normal powerpoint crammed with an overview of everything. Jeapordy was a great way to jog my memory, and it was very helpful in knowing what to study and what to expect.
Blogging is still a bit foreign, but Im coming around. I do like being able to get on and look at what other students are up to, and what they have to say.
Let it snow!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Aspen Arrival Gone Macho
This flight was off to a bad start before the wheels even left the ground... Its always easy to say something like this would never happen to you, but I have read many accident reports that are similar to this one in many ways. This leads me to believe that this situation is harder to overcome then it may seem. The first thing I noticed was the casual nature about the flight; the passengers didn't show up on time, and then made the flight even later because they were taking in the parking lot? It would make more sense if they were going on a scenic ride a in little piston plane. I think the pilot and/or dispatcher should have been much more professional, and strict at that point. The passengers should have been notified ahead of time about the seriousness of getting the plane off the ground in time.
Bringing a passenger into the cockpit was another big mistake. Im sure this only added to an already stressful situation. Its hard to tell from the article, but a macho pilot may have their hazardous attitude amplified with a person in the cockpit who isn't a pilot.
All this added up to an unusual flight, but it could all have been saved had the pilot stuck to the instrunment regulations. Had they gone missed at mininmuns, like the planes in front of them, they could have safetly diverted to their alternate.
If I were in this situation, and if the status of my job relied on this one flight, Im not sure what I would do. Of course I would say I would just stick to the regulations, and I would have gone missed when the runway was not in sight. But, having the possibility of being fired over something like that would definitely add a lot of pressure, and I can understand why the pilots tried to go down a little farther and pop out. On the other hand, working for an outfit that will terminate a pilot for diverting in a situation like this doesn't sound like a productive, fun place to work.
Bringing a passenger into the cockpit was another big mistake. Im sure this only added to an already stressful situation. Its hard to tell from the article, but a macho pilot may have their hazardous attitude amplified with a person in the cockpit who isn't a pilot.
All this added up to an unusual flight, but it could all have been saved had the pilot stuck to the instrunment regulations. Had they gone missed at mininmuns, like the planes in front of them, they could have safetly diverted to their alternate.
If I were in this situation, and if the status of my job relied on this one flight, Im not sure what I would do. Of course I would say I would just stick to the regulations, and I would have gone missed when the runway was not in sight. But, having the possibility of being fired over something like that would definitely add a lot of pressure, and I can understand why the pilots tried to go down a little farther and pop out. On the other hand, working for an outfit that will terminate a pilot for diverting in a situation like this doesn't sound like a productive, fun place to work.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Single Pilot IFR
If I were given the chance to fly SPIFR tomorrow I would have to gracious delcine. I am not instrument current, nor do I have the experience to take an IPC and feel confident right away. I think that if I were to spend some time brushing up on my instruments I would choose to go SPIFR, depending on the situation. I was lucky enough to get a little bit of actual experience during my IFR training. This was maybe only an hour total, but it was the ice breaker I needed to get the feeling of being in clouds, and overcome the fear from the unknown. So, given the proper conditions, I think I would actually enjoy SPIFR. At my current level I would not venture into any icing, or even potential icing conditions. But being in harmless clouds sounds pretty fun.
There were lots of good tips throughout the article. A small one I liked, and think would be useful, is to put your finger on your altitude indicator within 500 of your assigned altitude. I have blown through assigned altitude myself, especially when descending for thousands of feet.
I did all my instrument training in the archer, so I never had the luxury of instrument flying with autopilot. I think having autopilot would be a great tool to help manage the workload, espically for a newer instrunment pilot.
There were lots of good tips throughout the article. A small one I liked, and think would be useful, is to put your finger on your altitude indicator within 500 of your assigned altitude. I have blown through assigned altitude myself, especially when descending for thousands of feet.
I did all my instrument training in the archer, so I never had the luxury of instrument flying with autopilot. I think having autopilot would be a great tool to help manage the workload, espically for a newer instrunment pilot.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Blog Post #1
Hello Blog spot. I want to be a pilot and fly planes with more then one engine and stuff.
I expect to come out of this class with a good knowledge of multiengine aircraft, ready to make the transition from a single engine with ease. I would like to learn about the operations of the smaller multiengine aircraft used for small charter and cargo operations. If bush type operation is any different I would like to learn about that, as I would like to take my flying in that direction eventually.
I have never had a blog, nor have I any time reading blogs. I have read formus and had great success finding obscure information that has been very useful. So, I imagine that a blog could be similar. It will be good to hear what others are looking for from the class, as well as their reflections.
-Ben
I expect to come out of this class with a good knowledge of multiengine aircraft, ready to make the transition from a single engine with ease. I would like to learn about the operations of the smaller multiengine aircraft used for small charter and cargo operations. If bush type operation is any different I would like to learn about that, as I would like to take my flying in that direction eventually.
I have never had a blog, nor have I any time reading blogs. I have read formus and had great success finding obscure information that has been very useful. So, I imagine that a blog could be similar. It will be good to hear what others are looking for from the class, as well as their reflections.
-Ben
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