If its really about bringing people into the hobby, then EVERY instructor should read this thread and EVERY new or relatively new student should post here.

1) Great pilot DOES NOT EQUAL great instructor

My favorite instructor at our club was probably the 5th best pilot out of the 5 instructors.

2) Hazing is bad.

Maybe after six or eight WEEKS some truly good natured ribbing is ok, but during my second flying session the instructor told me the gromments holding my ailerons in were in upside down. Everyone thought that was hugely funny. I was packing up my stuff to go home and fix it when someone finally said that it wouldn't affect flight. back then I had no clue as to whether it was critical or cosmetic. And I still haven't changed them!

3) Discuss where the student is (in terms of skill) and what he should be doing to get better.

After my first couple of flights, some of the instructors would take-off, say "You got it" and then let me wander around till my timer went off and they had to land. No feedback.

4) Be upfront about availability.

If you don't tell me you want to fly yourself, am I supposed to figure it out by telepathy. If I am not PAYING you, then I don't expect you to spend four solid hours wiping my nose.

5) Talk to me like an adult.

I get really sick and tired of hearing all the instructors on these boards griping about pathetic students, blah blah blah, but you never once hear them say they sat the guy down and actually talked to him. Its really hard being an otherwise competent adult and being absolutely terrified of doing something wrong. I wasted two whole flying sessions last summer because I had lost confidence due to a couple of minor crashes. If the instructor had noticed I was piddling around and avoiding flying and asked what was up (preferably with some story about how nervous he had been after something had happened to him), I would have been so relieved.

So, I think the worst instructors are the ones who can't put themselves in the place of the student! After flying for years, and building and fixing, it all becomes very second nature. That's not true for a newbie. I would bet you that most instructor frustration boils down to the student not progressing fast enough. Of course, no one can say what fast enough is.

In the end, its about teaching, not about flying, and that's why there are indeed, bad instructors.