Crashem,

"Then there is the assurance that crashing is all but necessary as part of the learning process." All but necessary, not absolutely necessary. There is a difference.

The necessary part of crashing is the impression that the newbies get from the old hands. Beginners ask about the possibility of crashing and they are assured that they will most likely crash before they solo and there after. In their minds, they get the impression that crashing is a necessary part of the learning process. Yes indeed, several members of the clubs I've belonged to actually used the words "crashing is a necessary part of the learning process". In other words, you WILL crash, not that you might crash, but YOU WILL CRASH.

nascarjoe