ORIGINAL: smithcreek
but you have to understand, there's a ''granny patrol'' dedicated to verbally abusing people that don't do certain things the ''approved'' way. Don't talk about teaching yourself, getting anything but a dedicated trainer to learn on. Granted, the granny patrol is generally right about the most successful way to learn, but they have a way of going very Nazi on newbies that stray.
I guess I'm one of the grannies, then. I have an independent streak and tended to make decisions and go about the hobby like I though was right early on. I had some major failures and learned that maybe there were people who knew more than me. I then appreciated the guys who cared enough to tell me when I had it wrong. I never liked hearing it, but I was bright enough to know that more experienced people know what they are talking about. There's a guy in our club who has got to be the most bullheaded human being that ever lived. He has destroyed at least 10 airplanes in the last two years, and he doesn't have money to waste on them. He recently said he was quitting because of the failures. Most of the instructors have explained things to him, given him supplies and equipment, and all have tried to help him. He wants to be stubborn though, and now he's out of the hobby. He is not bright enough to know that more experienced people know what they are talking about.
Me personally, I don't give a rip what the "approved" way is. I care about what works and what generates success. And I post so that new guys who haven't even flown an oval yet don't get discouraged by failing after reading a post on the internet telling them to do it wrong. I volunteer as an instructor for my club because I care about new pilots and advancing the hobby. And yes, I will be direct with guys who are messing up because I want them to succeed. If that makes me a Nazi, then Heil Hitler!
BTW, to the OP: If I came across rude in any of my posts, then do please excuse me. I'm just trying to help.