Im new to R/C Planes and last night was my first instructor lesson at the club I joined. Should I give the instructor money for his time? The instructor's volenteer thier time, but I didn't know if I should give them some money for the help they are giving me.

Thanks

Tis Up to you......

after I solo'ed I gave my instructor a gift cert to the LHS...

I'm sure nothing is expected... so it is up to you

Quick answer.

Thank him. I don't think he wants money. In fact, that may insult him. Just thank him for his time and make sure you follow up on what he teaches you to do, and learn to fly. He will be totally enthused when you solo, I guarantee it.

Shake his hand and thank him. That's all he wants. That and listen when he speaks.

No. You might offer to take him to dinner a couple of times. Buy him some fuel or a tool. ALWAYS bring your own tools and supplies, don't sponge off him.

BTW, I, as an instructor, GREATLY appreciate you thinking about him. So many novices take instructors for granted.

Dr.1

That is good information to know. When I taught other items in other hobbies all I ever wanted was a thank you.
Glad to hear most here feel the same. I have been wondering.

One of the instructors pet peeves at our club is that he works hard to train people... then once they solo... we never see them again..
they feel taken advantage of....

Agreed with others.. a Thank you is plenty
then stick around and be a productive member of your club

I agree with everybody above. If the instructor expected to be paid he would have told you up front before instructions started. Most instructors (myself included) instruct because they love the hobby and love getting new people into the air, not for financial gain. Just make sure you say thank you when it's all over.

Ken

when your instructor is getting ready to fly, offer your help holding the plane down etc. Ask if he needs help with anything. Shows you are grateful.

Honestly, I think the idea of a gift card to the LHS is a great idea... They may not expect it, nor do they train for financial gain. But who in this hobby couldn't use a gift cert to their LHS? Like others above stated... Make sure that you also stick around the club and become a good standing member. That is probably the most important thing to a club.

I have not started my training nor have I even talked to a club, but once I do I think I will give a LHS gift cert to my trainer (if I need one that is) to show my appreciation.

I just figure misery loves company. So hooking someone else in this hobby is thanks enough. Why should I be the only one with a wife that is tired of all the money I spend in this hobby! Seriously, just say thank you.

well my instructor is happy to give up his time to help out a newb, im very grateful that he does and i show it by helping him with his plane, cracking a few jokes and generaly being helpful, but hey, if you really want to show some gratitude, give him a little £10 Gift voucher for Towerhobbies to show you really appreciate all that hes done for you

As a club instructor I do not expect anything for my time except your attention. I would say that if you feel a need to 'do something' then do something for the club as a whole. Mow the grass, pick up the trash, whatever you can do to help out the club. After all without the club, the instructor may not have anywhere to train you or anyone else. Good luck learning to fly!

Well i have a story to tell. It starts over 2years ago, a new student with a 46 trainer. For 9 months i had this student , a slow learner, and then he changed to electric. In 3 months he was solo. I was happy for him. Now , this week , he arrived at the field with a new electric model, an SU 31, he asked me to fly it. So i did, landed and told him how beautiful it was to fly, then he turned to me and said , "Good, i am pleased you like it , as it is now yours, in appreciation for teaching me to fly" I was astounded at being given a gift like this. Also it is my first electric model too, as normally i fly my Excelleron 90 with a 120 4stroke up front. So OK, he can afford to give a gift like this, but normally i get my gift in just seeing my student fly unassisted, as we say , solo, and a handshake and his friendship is enough for me to continue wanting to train people. So as someone else said , offer to help your trainer when he wants to fly his model, he will appreciate it , i am sure.
Bill

Your student showed his appreciation, this is good. We all have moments that we are very proud of, and helping others learn to fly is one of those moments.

By the way, I also have the Excelleron 90, mine has an OS 1.20 AX. Flys great, although I have not flown it in several months, I also have the Venus II which I seem to prefer for some reasion. But, both fly great, almost identically, too.

Anyway, that's getting away from the subject. I imagine that every time you fly that electric SU-31 you will think of that student. And, I'm sure your student thinks of you every time he flys. This is what it's all about!!

I had two recent students, albeit it was only a few days, both were quick learners and solo'ed after I think their fourth or fifth flight. I really enjoy watching them fly now. One of them is getting into Pattern, which I believe I insired him into because of my Venus II demo flights I put on for him and how smooth the thing flew and landed. So, he competes now in the Sportsman category with a home-built Tiger 60 that has been severly modified, which flys great, by the way. He just bought an Ice Point and is getting that ready for pattern. He will do good, and, yep, I love to watch him fly because I had some input in that success.

DS.

When I soloed, my instructor said that all he wanted was for me to PAY attention to my flying and watch as he teachs others, so when my turn comes someday that I would teach someone else. After each flight he would comment on everything I did right, then point out the areas I needed to work on. Now 4 years later he still comments {sometimes he slips up and slides a complement in there. ha ha}

that's very true. we had a fun fly a couple weeks ago and i helped set up really early in the morning. A friend let me use his Superstar trainer as a reward for helping.
the result was that i got way more confident with flying (or maybe that was because i was with a really good instructer), i got my first landing, and i found out that trainers can do rolls!
Keep helping your club!

likescheese

Trainers can do rolls? [X(]

going back to waht oldvet70 said: if you want to do something DO IT

I charge to teach a student.....................my price...................promise to teach someone else some day.
I wouldn't take money, I've been given gifts, I didn't ask or hint and I was grateful.

My instructor and I became good flying pals after last year. And I thanked him by buying one of his kit planes he had for sale so he can build more. He's run out of room in his garage. [sm=lol.gif]


Luftwaffe Oberst
Radio Aero Modelers Club
AMA District II
Pulaski, NY

I never had just one instructor from my club just whoever was at the field at the time would help me out, but there generosity with there time taught me many lessions that I will use and gladly pass on to anyone who needs a hand.
a funny thing was flying my mustang couple of weeks ago,I greased the landing, and taxied to the pits to a rousing aplause from some of the guys that helped me learn they hadn't seen me at the field in quite a while and were surprised how well I was doing in just a couple of years.
I knew they were pleased with there work, thanks to them I have done as well as I have,taking the time to help a new guy out never asking anything in return.

Oh yeah, and another reason that the guys at our club like to train you is that they get another excuse to tell their wives so they can come out to the field.

I didn't think of that... I got to try that! [sm=lol.gif] But if she catches me, there will be He!! to pay!



That's what happened to me as well when I flew my Mustang and had a greased landing. [8D]



Luftwaffe Oberst
Radio Aero Modelers Club
AMA District II
Pulaski, NY