Interesting article by Ironsides. It gives a perspective of the student, but one perspective. Its good to see things from the student's eyes. There are elements of truth to it (I recall from my own training) but it seems a little overdone too.

Sorry to burst any bubbles, but coming from a rural area, it is very possible that instructors and clubs that have very active instruction programs are absent. But that doesn't necessarily prevent a beginner from learning the skills.

This isn't grade school and the student must take charge on their own education, get proactive and seek out the training. There are books to read and manuals available. There are libraries and resources on the internet. The AMA will gladly point a beginner in the right direction. Its all there if a beginner really wants to learn and is persistent at it.

I was fortunate to have a club with instructors but a "laid back program." None of this days set aside for instruction only with several instructors showing up intent on teaching that day. But I latched on to an instructor and picked his brains clean even coordinating my trips to the field to when he would be there. Even then, I took out my landing gear on my first attempt at landing and it took me months to learn to fly and years to fly confidently. What I missed the most was the lack of ground school - where I learned the basics of flight and models. That came from reading textbooks on aerodynamics, and model journals and manuals.

So I agree with Huber, for the student who really wants to learn, its out there.

Roodester