Interesting thread. Steve look for an email on our training syllabus

I agree with the one post, the most important thing is for the instructor to cope with the different capablities of the student.

Our philosophy is to get the student flying. We build on the "got to have it now" thinking of the younger generations. We teach a rote mechancial process on how to get the plane in the air and back down again in one piece. WE DO NOT SPEND ANY time on theory untill after they're solo'd, any time before that it goes in one ear and out the other on most students.

Just a simple ten step process that focuses first on flying left and right hand level circuits.

The training syllabus:

1. Before the first flight (and every flight).
2. The first flight and the racetrack pattern.
3. Driving around.
4. Loops and rolls.
5. The climb and glide.
6. The horizontal figure eight.
7. The take off.
8. The traffic pattern.
9. Landing.
10. The Solo Flight!


First we get positive control of the plane up high. Then take off. Then climb and decents. Then landing. Note that each of these are taught as a single task. On take offs the student flys the takeoff through a turn to down wind, The instructor takes over and land the plane. To turn it right back over to the student for another takeoff. landings are taught from straigh and level, in line with the runway with the instructor flying down to about 20 feet up then letting the student only concentrate on keeping the plane level through flair and touchdown to a full stop.

MTC YMMV teaching since 1996