I just started doing a bit of instructing last season and I really liked it.

The pride issue is important when someone lacks experience and it really shows the difference between being a character and having character.

A couple years back a new guy showed up with a Revolver and his control of the aircraft did not really seem bad enough to order him to get help, but it never looked like he was really on top of it either. He had a kind of swagger and a way of talking that told you it would be a big argument to tell him he wasn't ready. That wasn't a good reason not to do it, and I think we'd treat it differently if it happened again, but it was a grey area, which made it a tough call. After a few times out he smashed his plane into the trees and never returned. Of course, afterward you reflect that he could have smashed it somewhere a lot worse. In retrospect, it was exactly his attitude that should have been a red flag.

But on the other side, lately we've had some guys who have been in the club a long time but had not flown in a long time, and they wanted buddy box time. Great! I have a lot of respect for people who are not too proud to be realistic about their capability and safety.

I taught myself to fly and I loved doing it, but I had had years of free flight experience and building experience before trying RC. Most people do not have that, and club instruction really works for them, and the camaraderie is great too.

Jim