Bob/Nuker,

I believe everyone in this thread really just wants an enjoyable hobby.

I think its great that your club has two student sessions. Ours is probably smaller than yours and has one training night (Thurs) and the a regular club fly on Sunday.

On comment I'd like to make is that you described getting 4 people up at once. Our club on training night has been know to let 3 or 4 newbies up at once. Since I soloed, this became a big problem for me since I fly fairly good patterns and like to fly figure 8s. However, 2 of our trainees are frankly awful at flying the pattern. With them weaving around the sky in random directions and random altitudes the near misses can ruin a whole evening. Fortunately, I am proficient enough to fly treetop patterns and stay well below the mixing bowl.

So, I guess I'm just suggesting that some thought be given to reducing the number of planes in the air as students become more proficient. Maybe you do this with your two sessions.

In my case, I've basically given up on training night since I soloed and moved to Sundays. Everyone is still understanding, to the point of holding back while I do low approaches and shoot touch and goes. For my part, I try and hold back until it looks like there are less experienced guys ready to fly. But, there is still a lot I'd like to get out of the instructors (basic aerobatics, engine tuning :-), etc.) however, with the mayhem I began finding training night more trouble than it was worth.

Anyway, I think the moral of this thread is that the training experience can set the tone for a pilot for life, either for good or bad.

GB