How do you teach?
02-14-2012, 02:16 AM
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How do you teach?
G'day
I have seen a bit of discussion recently on "instructors" , "teachers" and "mentors". In Australia we have official trained Instructors but anyone can teach so long as both parties are happy. I am not an official instructor; I just fell into teaching because no one else wanted to do it and I happened to have a good trainer and was prepared to have a go.
I came late to radio control and my original teacher was not all that good and as a result it took me quite a long time to become reasonably proficient. As a result I ended up teaching my self with a bit of help from a couple of different instructors.
What eventually did make me more confident was finding myself thrust into teaching someone.
So this is what I do.
1. I triage my prospective students into three groups.
(i)These will learn on anything and no matter how they are taught. They are usually fairly young. If they crash a model it will be because they are too confident.
(ii) This group will need quite a lot of initial help but will then be solo within about six months. They need a good stable trainer initially but will quickly move to more aerobatic models. They will probably have some "incidents" when learning to land.
(iii) This group is the older learners. They need a lot of help, lots of sessions often and good large slow trainers especially initially. They learn slowly but with enough practice and positive reinforcement, they will get there. They may take a couple of years to go solo and will have more accidents once they do. They will need mentoring after they solo for a while.
2. I use my own trainers to do most of the initial training and I suggest they not buy anything initially. I use a Kadet Senior (no ailerons) initially. It is set up with the rudder on the aileron channel so the move to ailerons is not too difficult. Once they can fly a reasonably tidy circuit, I move groups (i) and (ii) on to Kadet LT-40 or LT-25s. At this point they think about buying their own models. Group (iii) may stay on the Kadet longer and if it looks like being a long haul, I suggest they get a Kadet or something similar. At the moment here in Australia, there is a model called a Tri 60 which is pretty suitable but not very strong and another called the Boomerang 60 which is stronger but also heavier which makes it fly faster. A kit built Kadet Senior is my preference for older learners. That or an electric glider like the Parkzone Radian.
3. I always use a buddy cord system. It has saved many models and possibly a few injuries too.
4. Initially we try to fly circuits and it takes a while for most people to do reasonable ones AND to be able to line up with the strip. Later we progress to some mild aerobatics and then to lower and lower passes. Take offs come next and finally, when the student can do accurate circuits and keep the model in control when turning on to the final (and this is probably where most problems occur) we attempt some really low passes which become landings. Eventually. I try to get them to use the rudder quite early when landing to keep the model on line. Some get it quickly, others never do. I also use both tail dragger and trike setups so that they can learn to correct the "left swing" in tail draggers.
5. I try to continue to mentor my students once they solo so they don't unlearn things I have taught them. If I see one having problems I will intervene.
There is much more to the process like teaching about engines and radios but it won't fit here.
The main thing that I have learned in all this is that when you want to teach something, you really need to understand it and it really helps you in your flying. That and BE PATIENT and pleasant with your students. It is meant to be fun. Don't frighten them off.
So this is what I do - what do you do?
Mike in Oz
I have seen a bit of discussion recently on "instructors" , "teachers" and "mentors". In Australia we have official trained Instructors but anyone can teach so long as both parties are happy. I am not an official instructor; I just fell into teaching because no one else wanted to do it and I happened to have a good trainer and was prepared to have a go.
I came late to radio control and my original teacher was not all that good and as a result it took me quite a long time to become reasonably proficient. As a result I ended up teaching my self with a bit of help from a couple of different instructors.
What eventually did make me more confident was finding myself thrust into teaching someone.
So this is what I do.
1. I triage my prospective students into three groups.
(i)These will learn on anything and no matter how they are taught. They are usually fairly young. If they crash a model it will be because they are too confident.
(ii) This group will need quite a lot of initial help but will then be solo within about six months. They need a good stable trainer initially but will quickly move to more aerobatic models. They will probably have some "incidents" when learning to land.
(iii) This group is the older learners. They need a lot of help, lots of sessions often and good large slow trainers especially initially. They learn slowly but with enough practice and positive reinforcement, they will get there. They may take a couple of years to go solo and will have more accidents once they do. They will need mentoring after they solo for a while.
2. I use my own trainers to do most of the initial training and I suggest they not buy anything initially. I use a Kadet Senior (no ailerons) initially. It is set up with the rudder on the aileron channel so the move to ailerons is not too difficult. Once they can fly a reasonably tidy circuit, I move groups (i) and (ii) on to Kadet LT-40 or LT-25s. At this point they think about buying their own models. Group (iii) may stay on the Kadet longer and if it looks like being a long haul, I suggest they get a Kadet or something similar. At the moment here in Australia, there is a model called a Tri 60 which is pretty suitable but not very strong and another called the Boomerang 60 which is stronger but also heavier which makes it fly faster. A kit built Kadet Senior is my preference for older learners. That or an electric glider like the Parkzone Radian.
3. I always use a buddy cord system. It has saved many models and possibly a few injuries too.
4. Initially we try to fly circuits and it takes a while for most people to do reasonable ones AND to be able to line up with the strip. Later we progress to some mild aerobatics and then to lower and lower passes. Take offs come next and finally, when the student can do accurate circuits and keep the model in control when turning on to the final (and this is probably where most problems occur) we attempt some really low passes which become landings. Eventually. I try to get them to use the rudder quite early when landing to keep the model on line. Some get it quickly, others never do. I also use both tail dragger and trike setups so that they can learn to correct the "left swing" in tail draggers.
5. I try to continue to mentor my students once they solo so they don't unlearn things I have taught them. If I see one having problems I will intervene.
There is much more to the process like teaching about engines and radios but it won't fit here.
The main thing that I have learned in all this is that when you want to teach something, you really need to understand it and it really helps you in your flying. That and BE PATIENT and pleasant with your students. It is meant to be fun. Don't frighten them off.
So this is what I do - what do you do?
Mike in Oz
02-14-2012, 04:54 AM
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RE: How do you teach?
I guess I am a kinda laid back guy when it comes to teaching. I do a lot of ground school before we get to the sticks. I will take the plane up and show the student where the boundries are. Then I will do some circuits to show him/her what I would like them to do. When we get to altitude I will have them take their hands off the tx to show them the plane will fly without them. We strive to be as smooth with the sticks as possible. My function in the club as an instructor is to work with the first time flyers. After I have them for a short time then they are turned over to another instructor to do more advanced work. i.e, landings, mild aerobatics and those sort of things. Seems to work well at our field. I guess my things I bring to the table or soft spoken and not excitable. When we are done flying, I go to the rest room and clean up
02-14-2012, 05:05 AM
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RE: How do you teach?
When I teach, I go over the flight plan with the student before starting the engine. I explain what I want to see the plane do and what transmitter movements are required to get it there. I also explain what I expect the wind to do to the plane and what compensation will be required. Then I demonstrate it in the air, explaining what I'm doing with my thumbs the whole time, then finally let the student try it. That reduces me having to save the model dramatically, and leads to much more productive training sessions than just taking off and telling the student "fly a left turn." 90% of pilot skills is simply knowing what to do and when to do it. The rest is the visual skills and muscle memory.
02-14-2012, 05:15 AM
#6
RE: How do you teach?
I've been teaching from a KISS principle for the last 15 or so years.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
My proof; I once taught a B-727 captain to fly RC in 15 minutes. He solo'd on his second flight.
If your students aren't flying virtually by themselves after two hours of stick time then you are doing something wrong.
I teach almost exclusively on the Kadet LT 40 with ailerons and through a buddy box.
The club has three planes we use for the AMA Intro program to see if folks have the aptitude or desire, but after 6 freebie flights they have to go buy their own plane and radio and join the club.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
My proof; I once taught a B-727 captain to fly RC in 15 minutes. He solo'd on his second flight.
If your students aren't flying virtually by themselves after two hours of stick time then you are doing something wrong.
I teach almost exclusively on the Kadet LT 40 with ailerons and through a buddy box.
The club has three planes we use for the AMA Intro program to see if folks have the aptitude or desire, but after 6 freebie flights they have to go buy their own plane and radio and join the club.
02-14-2012, 05:23 AM
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RE: How do you teach?
ORIGINAL: MajorTomski
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory.
My proof; I once taught a B-727 captain to fly RC in 15 minutes. He solo'd on his second flight.
.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory.
My proof; I once taught a B-727 captain to fly RC in 15 minutes. He solo'd on his second flight.
.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory.
02-14-2012, 05:40 AM
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RE: How do you teach?
Ground school is the pre-flight and familiarairity with the transmitter sticks. Take off, trim both transmitters. I teach to a program. Straight and level (I do the turns), the pattern left and right (they do the turns), figure eights (left and right), then take off and landings. They usually pick up take offs pretty quick. Landings take a lot longer, so we shoot simulated landing approaches so they can practice lining up the runway. I will eventually talk them down to their first landing. Then we do it again concentrating on rudder, it goes much faster this time. During all this time I explain aerodynamics, stall detection, proper climbout, linkage setups and smooth fluid movement on the sticks. And every time they use the wind as an excuse, I correct them and tell them exactly what happened and why it was not the wind. Usually takes 30 to 40 flights to solo. After solo, if they want, we work on emergency handling. I take them up high, roll inverted to a spin and shut the engine off. Then give control back to them. 100% of the time they freeze and I have to take it. This happens about the first two times. Then they eventually figure it out. I have worked with older students that just couldnt pick it up and after almost a year of training, finally give up. They just didnt have the eye hand coordination needed. I stay with them as long as they want, they have to make the decision to give up. Full scale pilots are my worst students. Out of about 10 training requests per month, about 6 keep responding, and 2 or 3 eventually show up at the field ready to go. I prefer they supply their own gear to show how serious they want to be. I explain how to do repairs, and if needed, they can come to my shop and I will explain how to do a more complicated repair. I still work and can only train on weekends. Of the kids younger than 11, none ever finished. Just too impatient. I now tell parents that its not so much the age but maturity I want them to be at before training. I also tell the parents one of them has to be present while they are training, I dont baby sit. They have to be here for an emergency. I currently have a couple of 15 to 16 year olds that will solo the next time or two they come out, and a total of 6 students at this time. But usually 3 show up at once. In spring with the good weather they will ALL show up and we do round robin training so everybody gets a turn. I dont grip or rag on them about when they show up. Doesnt matter to me. This is a hobby and I'm there most weekends anyway.
Edwin
Edwin
02-14-2012, 09:26 AM
#10
RE: How do you teach?
ORIGINAL: MajorTomski
I've been teaching from a KISS principle for the last 15 or so years.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
I've been teaching from a KISS principle for the last 15 or so years.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
No person steering any airplane over, with, and around other people can know too much about "Applied Aerodynamics".
My proof; I once taught a B-727 captain to fly RC in 15 minutes. He solo'd on his second flight.
I spent 13 years in USAF. and was flying a UAL 727 when I started RC. I BUILT my model a Mufti, German Kit much like a Sweet Stick, and went out to prove I could Fly it. Heck, I had been supersonic both straight up and straight down, plus many years of modeling in competitive CL and FF, so certainly I could manage this toy.
WRONG After I got it rebuilt I went and got a couple flights with help (NO BUDDY BOXES THEN) and off on solo but I recognized my problems and had helpers for some time before I considered myself to ba a SAFE RC Pilot.
I instructed an ex-Carrier Navy pilot, then a Continental Captain and he had problems with landings although air-time was almost instant. We discussed the "applied aerodynamics" of his carrier landings relative to how he landed a 737 and in one flight he mastered grease jobs. Knowledge is a great help when properly used.
I teach almost exclusively on the Kadet LT 40 with ailerons and through a buddy box.
T-29, T-37, T-33, T-38, C-123, B-47, B-737, B-727, DC-8, DC-10, Lear 23, et al.
02-14-2012, 12:16 PM
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RE: How do you teach?
I'd have to agree that understanding why the airplane does what it does is a big part of learning to control it. It's one thing to know to push the nose down and raise the throttle in a stall, but it's quite another to understand the way air flows over the top of the wing and how that recovery technique lets it get started again.
02-14-2012, 06:10 PM
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RE: How do you teach?
ORIGINAL: Hossfly
...and they have no concept of how raising the ailerons 3-5 degrees can prevent those proverbial snap rolls on take-off...
...and they have no concept of how raising the ailerons 3-5 degrees can prevent those proverbial snap rolls on take-off...
Lotta trash cans are kept employed due to ignorance of aerodynamic concerns.
02-16-2012, 02:21 AM
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RE: How do you teach?
Simulator.
Foamie.
Park.
Entirely possible to teach yourself now.
And you never have to listen to how the instructor taught Chuck Yeager and the perpetual schmeckle measuring contest of the AMA club scene.
Foamie.
Park.
Entirely possible to teach yourself now.
And you never have to listen to how the instructor taught Chuck Yeager and the perpetual schmeckle measuring contest of the AMA club scene.
02-16-2012, 07:25 AM
#14
RE: How do you teach?
2ch 2 meter glider off of slopes
2ch 1/2A highwing "trainer" in a school yard
4ch .20 sized trainer at a vacant field
I taught myself and only destroyed one a/c on the way. I didn't really learn to fly until I had an instructor though. This was an older guy that flew full scale and models and taught me what the plane was really doing and why. After that I was able to get much better much faster, and the stories are a lot of fun too.
2ch 1/2A highwing "trainer" in a school yard
4ch .20 sized trainer at a vacant field
I taught myself and only destroyed one a/c on the way. I didn't really learn to fly until I had an instructor though. This was an older guy that flew full scale and models and taught me what the plane was really doing and why. After that I was able to get much better much faster, and the stories are a lot of fun too.
02-16-2012, 08:04 AM
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RE: How do you teach?
I instruct others how to tune engines, and what equipment I like using and how to build if they ask me, but I don't have the patience to instruct on a "buddy box," I leave that to our clubs designated instuctors to do. But when it comes to advice or sharing our tricks to solve problems, we all work together in our club and if one doesn't know something, someone in the club usually chimes in to help that does know the answer.
That leaves the beginner with choices, and doesn't give the impression, " Do it my way- and if you do it any other way you're wrong." ( like the ol' timers with their trainers, telling people they are wrong all the time, thinking they know better.) You see this happen in RCU often and in some clubs, but in my club they don't allow that type of behavior, and we believe that time under the belt doesn't make anyone have the right to judge and act like a know it all. That kind of behavior does chase beginners away over time, I've seen it happen even at my old private club I once belonged to. "Clicks" got a love em. NOT!
The beginners often come up to admire my WWI Warbirds, and the only thing I usually tell them is on average, it takes up to about 3- 5 years of flying before they are ready for it. And some aren't ready for at least 7 years depending on the person and how well they advance their skills. Me it took me 8 years because I'd take a step forward, then take 2 steps back in my learning development, so I was a little slow being able to fly Fokker Dr1s and some other scale aircraft I've chosen to fly.
How many times we've seen newbies come to a field with a glow or gas warbird that they bought used? Then want to fly it and don't know the first thing about how to get started? A handful of times. And yes we who have been around a while know what happened in the end.
Some love to instruct, me on the other hand rather just fly, and build the eye catchers and talk about the history of scale aviation. I'm a simple man who likes to build and fly complicated aircraft.
In simple words, it takes a club to instruct and to do it right, and not make the beginner feel that they can't ask a question to anyone anytime. Call me a RC club Socialist!
Pete
That leaves the beginner with choices, and doesn't give the impression, " Do it my way- and if you do it any other way you're wrong." ( like the ol' timers with their trainers, telling people they are wrong all the time, thinking they know better.) You see this happen in RCU often and in some clubs, but in my club they don't allow that type of behavior, and we believe that time under the belt doesn't make anyone have the right to judge and act like a know it all. That kind of behavior does chase beginners away over time, I've seen it happen even at my old private club I once belonged to. "Clicks" got a love em. NOT!
The beginners often come up to admire my WWI Warbirds, and the only thing I usually tell them is on average, it takes up to about 3- 5 years of flying before they are ready for it. And some aren't ready for at least 7 years depending on the person and how well they advance their skills. Me it took me 8 years because I'd take a step forward, then take 2 steps back in my learning development, so I was a little slow being able to fly Fokker Dr1s and some other scale aircraft I've chosen to fly.
How many times we've seen newbies come to a field with a glow or gas warbird that they bought used? Then want to fly it and don't know the first thing about how to get started? A handful of times. And yes we who have been around a while know what happened in the end.
Some love to instruct, me on the other hand rather just fly, and build the eye catchers and talk about the history of scale aviation. I'm a simple man who likes to build and fly complicated aircraft.
In simple words, it takes a club to instruct and to do it right, and not make the beginner feel that they can't ask a question to anyone anytime. Call me a RC club Socialist!
Pete
02-16-2012, 10:12 AM
#16
RE: How do you teach?
IMO you teach how to crash and how to be a safety detriment on the flight line. In 41 years of professional aviation, I met a lot of ''airplane drivers'' trying to simulate being a PILOT. Thankfully PILOTS outnumber airplane drivers by 10:1, yet the FAA is now worried that the balance is changing. It certainly has on the RC flight lines. There are many ''drivers'' that can stear the airplane around really well, yet in an emergency situation they usually stall out and crash.
No person steering any airplane over, with, and around other people can know too much about ''Applied Aerodynamics''.
No person steering any airplane over, with, and around other people can know too much about ''Applied Aerodynamics''.
You have never met me, you have never experianced me teaching, you have never spoken to the 40 or so people I've "instructed", yet you have the gaul and audacity to accuse me of creating unsafe RC fliers!!!???
All based on a two paragraph statement. Wow you're good.
Come to OKC on a Thursday night between the first week in April and the last week in September and visit with the pathetic "airplane drivers" I'm educating. THEN you can cricise me for my technique and sucesses.
Thomas Solinski
AMA 8026. CD, LMAI Intro Pilot
Aero Engineer
PP; SEL, MEL
A&P
Former Systems Safety Engineer for the Presidental Fleet
All round nice guy too.
02-17-2012, 04:40 AM
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RE: How do you teach?
I too believe that a student needs to have a basic understanding of how the airplane flies and how you control the airplane through pitch, roll, and yaw axis......You can see the understanding in their faces when they now understand why you need up elevator in a turn......
I tell the student before the flight what the objective is...such as we will work on level turns today......after the flight I ask the student to tell me what he thought he did wrong first...always wrong first...then what he thought he did right....then I tell him what I think he needs to work on...then what he did right....right always last.....I always leave the student with what he did right last...positive re-enforcement.....if we fly 3 or 4 flights in a day we do this 3 or 4 times......
I teach in this order....level turns, both left and right...taxi, takeoff....both ways, left and right....then we start approaches getting lower and lower until he lands.....then rudder....
To keep it fun we'll do some loops and rolls depending on the student maybe some spins...just before they solo all students work on stall, and unusal attitude recovery.
I only group students in 2 catogories...those that will be good pilots and those that won't be so good pilots....you can move up in catogries never down....That seems like a harsh comment but to those that have taught for a while, know what I mean
I tell the student before the flight what the objective is...such as we will work on level turns today......after the flight I ask the student to tell me what he thought he did wrong first...always wrong first...then what he thought he did right....then I tell him what I think he needs to work on...then what he did right....right always last.....I always leave the student with what he did right last...positive re-enforcement.....if we fly 3 or 4 flights in a day we do this 3 or 4 times......
I teach in this order....level turns, both left and right...taxi, takeoff....both ways, left and right....then we start approaches getting lower and lower until he lands.....then rudder....
To keep it fun we'll do some loops and rolls depending on the student maybe some spins...just before they solo all students work on stall, and unusal attitude recovery.
I only group students in 2 catogories...those that will be good pilots and those that won't be so good pilots....you can move up in catogries never down....That seems like a harsh comment but to those that have taught for a while, know what I mean
02-17-2012, 09:32 AM
#18
RE: How do you teach?
ORIGINAL: MajorTomski
I'm sorry Horace, what did I do to piss you off?[X(]
You have never met me, you have never experianced me teaching, you have never spoken to the 40 or so people I've ''instructed'', yet you have the gaul and audacity to accuse me of creating unsafe RC fliers!!!???
I'm sorry Horace, what did I do to piss you off?[X(]
You have never met me, you have never experianced me teaching, you have never spoken to the 40 or so people I've ''instructed'', yet you have the gaul and audacity to accuse me of creating unsafe RC fliers!!!???
ORIGINAL: MajorTomski
I've been teaching from a KISS principle for the last 15 or so years.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
I've been teaching from a KISS principle for the last 15 or so years.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
When I see a so-called instructor sending a person out to fly among other pilots and spectators, and said person is barely able to steer the machine around, much less be thinking what could happen within the next several minutes, then I get somewhat concerned. So I will speak up when someone is unsafe within normal reasonable safety precautions that should be observed, and TAUGHT prior to saying "Go DO IT!".
JETMECH 05 makes a very good point.
All based on a two paragraph statement. Wow you're good.
All round nice guy too.
02-17-2012, 03:07 PM
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RE: How do you teach?
ORIGINAL: MajorTomski
I've been teaching from a KISS principle for the last 15 or so years.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
My proof; I once taught a B-727 captain to fly RC in 15 minutes. He solo'd on his second flight.
If your students aren't flying virtually by themselves after two hours of stick time then you are doing something wrong.
I teach almost exclusively on the Kadet LT 40 with ailerons and through a buddy box.
The club has three planes we use for the AMA Intro program to see if folks have the aptitude or desire, but after 6 freebie flights they have to go buy their own plane and radio and join the club.
I've been teaching from a KISS principle for the last 15 or so years.
The principle is virtually NO ONE who wants to learn to fly an RC plane wants to or NEEDS to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. I teach the simple mechanics of how to get the plane safely in the air and back down again in one piece. If they want to talk aerodynamics and phyics they can go learn that on their own...LATER.
My proof; I once taught a B-727 captain to fly RC in 15 minutes. He solo'd on his second flight.
If your students aren't flying virtually by themselves after two hours of stick time then you are doing something wrong.
I teach almost exclusively on the Kadet LT 40 with ailerons and through a buddy box.
The club has three planes we use for the AMA Intro program to see if folks have the aptitude or desire, but after 6 freebie flights they have to go buy their own plane and radio and join the club.
I can say that I've not been a student or a instructor yet , and when I started I did not want to learn ANY aerodynamics theory. All I wanted to do is fly. I do have a natural knack for physics and such. I learn out of necessity. I had zero interest in aviation when I started. I have the blessing (and curse) of a very inquisitive mind which suits well to learning to fly and hopefully getting very good at it.
My second example is my first student. He will have to be taught the basics without any understanding of the "whys" I hope that comes later. People learn in different ways and have differing personalities. It would be a wise instructor who can work with a variety of learning styles and speeds. I can see by many posts that this is the case with many who have responded here.
Thanks to all those who have posted in this thread, it's helping me bunches since I'm a bit nervous about instructing right now. A side question to those who have experience:
Are there some who "just don't get it"? Possibly those who just don't have the aptitude for learning how to fly? Right now I'm under the impression that "anyone can do it" given the right instruction and time.
02-17-2012, 03:22 PM
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RE: How do you teach?
I have been working with an older gentleman that is somewhat mentally handicapped and we have been at it for over a year. Not sure he will ever solo, but he is fun to work with. He tries very hard but just can't seem to understand why the plane does what it does. We will be flying and all of a sudden he will say "you got it" I'll Say "no I don't have, you have it" Or, he will be flying that be looking at the TX instead of the plane. but I will keep working with him as he is such a nice guy., Who knows, maybe the next time out will be the time that everything clicks. We go out about 3 times a week He has his own plane, tower hobby 60 with a 60 super tigre.
02-17-2012, 04:06 PM
#21
RE: How do you teach?
The problem with teaching only the "do" and not the "how/why" is you only know exactly what you were taught. If something unexpected and not seen or learned yet happens, how can you expect them to figure out how to react? Believe me it will happen and if they are not prepared they will fall short. Even something as simple as a sudden gust can cause a total loss of control when the wrong inputs are used due to a lack of understanding why the plane suddenly acted the way it did. Would you be willing to help a guy that bought a gun and only cares to learn were to put the bullet and how to make it fire, or would you insist they at least learn basic safety and marksmanship?
02-17-2012, 04:22 PM
#22
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RE: How do you teach?
ORIGINAL: cfircav8r
The problem with teaching only the ''do'' and not the ''how/why'' is you only know exactly what you were taught. If something unexpected and not seen or learned yet happens, how can you expect them to figure out how to react? Believe me it will happen and if they are not prepared they will fall short. Even something as simple as a sudden gust can cause a total loss of control when the wrong inputs are used due to a lack of understanding why the plane suddenly acted the way it did. Would you be willing to help a guy that bought a gun and only cares to learn were to put the bullet and how to make it fire, or would you insist they at least learn basic safety and marksmanship?
The problem with teaching only the ''do'' and not the ''how/why'' is you only know exactly what you were taught. If something unexpected and not seen or learned yet happens, how can you expect them to figure out how to react? Believe me it will happen and if they are not prepared they will fall short. Even something as simple as a sudden gust can cause a total loss of control when the wrong inputs are used due to a lack of understanding why the plane suddenly acted the way it did. Would you be willing to help a guy that bought a gun and only cares to learn were to put the bullet and how to make it fire, or would you insist they at least learn basic safety and marksmanship?
A good case in point was myself reading stick and rudder book AFTER learning how to fly. I understood almost everything in the book and it was an easy read. If I had read it before flying I'm sure I wouldn't have understood nearly as much.
Safety is important and in a different category. It should be a pre-requisite. Coincidentally I have already taught a few safe habits to my student. I do understand the problems ascociated with being taught "what" without knowing the "why" Eventually the two must go hand in hand if one is to be an expert.
02-17-2012, 04:31 PM
#23
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RE: How do you teach?
Here's a side road that many might help me with. I'm sure there's some I've overlooked because it will be my first time teaching , but here is the plan.
1 Lipo crash course on charge and balance because we are electric only for now.
2 Arming radios,esc, prop safety
3 distance and orientation, wind, sun ,line of sight ect.
4 sim time with me watching,demonstrating
5 alone sim time for student
6 plane set-up and some mechanics for controls, servos, tx and rx
7 Level flight with me making turns
8 level flight making turns
9 figure 8's
10 Take offs
11 landings
12 Trimming a plane.
What did I forget or get out of order besides buiding and repairs ,lol?
1 Lipo crash course on charge and balance because we are electric only for now.
2 Arming radios,esc, prop safety
3 distance and orientation, wind, sun ,line of sight ect.
4 sim time with me watching,demonstrating
5 alone sim time for student
6 plane set-up and some mechanics for controls, servos, tx and rx
7 Level flight with me making turns
8 level flight making turns
9 figure 8's
10 Take offs
11 landings
12 Trimming a plane.
What did I forget or get out of order besides buiding and repairs ,lol?
02-17-2012, 05:05 PM
#24
RE: How do you teach?
The best way to teach is to have a lesson in mind before each flight. Start with a little theory, before the flight, that will pertain to your air work. How a plane turns, ie: some of the wings lift is used to turn the plane causing the need for increased up elevator to compensate...etc, before starting a flight of figure eights. If you use this method you will not drag them down with long hours of theory and they will get all the basics by the time they are ready to solo. Don't forget to occasionally revisit some of the more difficult areas, and It is also helpful to present different scenarios and ask what the correct fix would be to see if they understand the concepts.
P.S.
I would add stalls and unusual attitude recovery as somone pointed out earlier
P.S.
I would add stalls and unusual attitude recovery as somone pointed out earlier
02-17-2012, 06:01 PM
#25
RE: How do you teach?
ORIGINAL: guver
Here's a side road that many might help me with. I'm sure there's some I've overlooked because it will be my first time teaching , but here is the plan.
1 Lipo crash course on charge and balance because we are electric only for now.
2 Arming radios,esc, prop safety
3 distance and orientation, wind, sun ,line of sight ect.
4 sim time with me watching,demonstrating
5 alone sim time for student
6 plane set-up and some mechanics for controls, servos, tx and rx
7 Level flight with me making turns
8 level flight making turns
9 figure 8's
10 Take offs
11 landings
12 Trimming a plane.
What did I forget or get out of order besides buiding and repairs ,lol?
Here's a side road that many might help me with. I'm sure there's some I've overlooked because it will be my first time teaching , but here is the plan.
1 Lipo crash course on charge and balance because we are electric only for now.
2 Arming radios,esc, prop safety
3 distance and orientation, wind, sun ,line of sight ect.
4 sim time with me watching,demonstrating
5 alone sim time for student
6 plane set-up and some mechanics for controls, servos, tx and rx
7 Level flight with me making turns
8 level flight making turns
9 figure 8's
10 Take offs
11 landings
12 Trimming a plane.
What did I forget or get out of order besides buiding and repairs ,lol?
However, regardless of glow or electric, you forgot a thorough pre-flight check.
"Plane setup and some mechanics" just doesn't cut it. A complete pre-flight is very important. This includes linkage, battery, tight screws, servo binds (if exists) must be fixed, control orientation (does the rudder, elevator, throttle, and aileron do what you intended them to do.. rudder stick to the right - rudder moves to the right.. and so on) followed by a real good range check.
Then, after a successful pre-flight, the initial or maiden flight by someone that knows what's going on is really important. He/she will most likely make sure trims are within range (if not, should be able to land so checks can be made..) and if they are, make the appropriate trims for straight and level flight (hands off) for that throttle setting, then be able to explain and demonstrate the differences with throttle settings on straight and leve flight.
There is so much to be done on the initial or maiden flights, especially for training a beginner that s simple check list is just not appropriate. Especially all starting at step 7. The instructor must be able and willing to fly the very first flight of the new plane for a student and make darned sure that the plane is air-worthy and is capable of being a trainer.
The plane should be checked for neutral settings and flyable with them set that way. This means that it must be flown and have all trims set for straight ane level flight (hands off) then upon landing making sure that the system is adjusted so that neutral or centering of all sticks and trims allows for the plane to basically take off from ground roll without any input from the sitcks other than throttle.
What i mean by this is that once the maiden flight is complete, the instructor pilot must be able and willing to show the student how to re-set the linkages for center sticks that compensate for any trims set up for basic flight after the maiden. Once this is done, then the pilot should be able to take off from idle throttle (stopped) to flying with minimal stick movement (yeah, again, only throttle and slight.. SLIGHT.. adjustments with the rudder).
I repeated the "straight and level" flight becaues the plane must be able to be trimmed for this so that the student isn't chasing his/her tail trying to trim something that cannot be trimmed. This should be pre-set by experience.. so that the student isn't trying to do something that is, mechanically, is not attainable with that plane because someone did not set it up right.
Then, after the plane has lifted off, then the initial turn to downwind should be comfortable, while climbing to a working altitude.
If you are willing to read through this post, you can see that the initial setup and first flight (maiden) setup and trim is very important to helping the student fly with confidence that he/she will be able to deal with control over the plane rather than fighting with out of trim settings.
Being an instructor has a lot of responsibilities. There are a lot of pre-flight checks, especially for a maiden flight, followed by some in-flight adjustments that must be done so that students have a plane that is flyable within his or her capabilities.
Instructors, don't skimp on any of these basic procedures. Those first few flights are really important to getting the student to continue on with the instruction
CGr.
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