Well, my two younger children have been bugging me to let them fly for a while now, (Boy age 13, Girl age 8). Sooo...

I have the buddy cord, and a trainer, So I got brave and took them to the airfield. I know I have the skill (hopefully) to recover from just about anything up high, (Barring airframe failure which is possible, but unlikely for a really good pilot to save IMHO). So I felt safe letting them get some stick time with the Arrow about 5 mistakes high. (Read: as high as I could reliably keep orientation on a cloudy day.)

My Daughter took too it well, sort of.. She had a bit of trouble figuring out that pull up meant pull back on the stick not forward [X(]. But she figured it out, and did quite well for a first time out after I got her to use the correct control direction. What is amazing to me is she didnt loose interest right away, and she DID listen to my coaching .

My son; well he liked it, and wants to do more, but he was quite upset when I kept taking the plane back because he would try to do loops and rolls instead of basic flight as I was coaching.

I plan on installing FMS on the computer they use, and letting them use my spare TX to practice on their own. I have also set the computer buddy box to 60% rates (dual rates) so they effectively have what I had when I was learning, but at the same time I still have full control throws to recover from accidental dives and such.

I know I am probably not really ready to teach, at least from a flying skill standpoint. but there arent really any instructors available on a a regular basis, (I got lucky, and the guys who brought me to solo are there sometimes, but they drive a loong way and gas prices are making the trips les frequent. ) So I am taking it upon myself to teach them at least the beggining. (The group I fly with tells me I am ready to teach them all of it but Im not so sure LOL)

Please note that I already know me instructing them is a less than ideal situation, but I dont really have a regular reliable alternative, and my club including the president thinks I am ready for the task.

Sooo.. My question to the masses is this: considering I have already made the decision to start teaching them, what suggestions do you have in regards to setting up the trainer, (via the radio if posible) and instructing my kids?? (Second note, I am going to be building a Debonair SPAD trainer soon and will be switching them to that as soon as its flight tested)