While not an instructor, I have a few observations.

Most trainers are currently coming with 8-10 oz. tanks installed. As a pilot, I know that the average for the fuel consumption (with throttle management) for a .40 will drain this tank in approx 20 min, 25 max. Concurrently, if I was instructing, I would rather see the pilot land within the "safe" window of the tank. So an approx. 15 min. windoow would make perfect sense. Now, as a student (thinking back 8 years here) I was VERY nervous my first few flights. This is understandable, but the nervousness might lead to a reduction in reflexes/accuity after an extended period of time (10-15 min.) My instructor kept our flights nice and short, so we wouldn't run into the problems created by my nervousness. I eventually learned to fly in a month or so and have been happily flying/landing/crashing airplanes eversince. (Before everyone gets in a tizzy about the crashing, remember that I am a combat pilot)

A quick side note. I have assisted with the AMA Intro Pilot program for the last couple of years. In our experiences, we have found that a pilot assisting the "student"/introductory candidate with the operations of the transmitter/control movements while the intro pilot talks them through the manuvers really seems to help in the retention. Also allows the assisting pilot to see what the student is doing on the sticks, thus making correctional instruction more specific. ANy thoughts here?

Jay L.