The joys of instructing
 

I just wanted to share this with you all. I have been training 2 guys in our small club this spring. Loaned them my simulator about two months ago, and started buddy boxing a month or so ago. Weather hasn't been very cooperative, but they each have about an hour and a half in the air.

These guys had NO previous RC experience. Their first flights, the right left orientation wasn't even an issue, thanks to RealFlight. You should've seen their grins when they both managed take offs on the same night (these two are best buds, BTW). They are now making great and consistent landing aprroaches, and I expect them to be landing in the next few nights. This has been a very rewarding experience for me. To know that I helped two guys into a hobby that has so much to offer is an incredible feeling of accomplishment.

If you ever have the opportunity to instruct, take it.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

A flight simulator really makes a difference for newbies. Instead of wasting time at the field trying to figure out right & left, and learning the other basics of the controls, they can figure all that out at home on the computer.

Real flight time with an instructor is still extremely important, but the simulator lets them figure out the more basic stuff on their own, making the time with the instructor more productive.

My story is very much the same. When I started out, I spent several hours on RealFlight G2, and was able to solo after only 3 flights on the box with an instructor.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

The Flight Sim is indeed the greatest tool since the buddy box. It allows the student to do "Homework"

But for the sake of any newbies reading this - It is a supplement to having an instructor, not a replacement for an instructor.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

I hope I didn't come across as implying the simulator is a repacement for true instructing. It is simply a tool, just like a buddy box. NOTHING can replace the true world real person instruction. These guys might've been able to do figure 8's all day, but when it comes to takeoff/ landing, training is key.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Amen.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Watching some one I have taught having a good days flying means more to me than having the good day myself.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

i read in here about how important instructors are, but rarely see anybody say thank you, so THANKS guys. you make a lot of sacrifices so others can have fun,, and I apologize for the not so easy ones to teach. </p>

RE: The joys of instructing
 

While I appreciate (more than you know) the sentiment, I'd like to disagree with something you've said here....and the distinction, to me at least, is an important one. It is, indeed, the very distinction that, I believe, makes someone a true "instructor", and not just a 'trainer". it is this:

You said "you make a lot of sacrifices so others can have fun".

Nothing, imo, could be further from the truth.

A sacrifice suggests a lack of reward. Giving up your time in exchange for nothing is a sacrifice. The ancient practice of "human sacrifice" was just that...a human was given up in return for nothing.

What we do, as instructors is exchange value for value. My time, my effort, my resources, they have value. But ya know what? Introducing another person to aviation, watching the hobby grow just a bit more, seeing a young kid realize he CAN do it...or an old hand realize he CAN master this 'new technology"...all of those things and more....they have value too.

I've taught a bunch of topics to a bunch of different kinds of people in my life...and I STILL don't know of a more exciting moment in the world than when a student's light goes on and he "gets it". it's not about being selfless...it is wholly and completely SELFISH. I get JAZZED by seeing that moment happen.

A sacrifice? heavens no. I give value, and get value. That's not a sacrifice...it's just a good trade. :)

RE: The joys of instructing
 

So...They both landed tonight!! And all by themselves! The first guylanded a couple of times before my second student made it to the field. I could see the challenge was on, as they are good friends. #2 landed awesome, but the second landing involved tall grass andlittle damage. No biggy. Just a depth perception thing,

I am busting with pride! I taught them how to do that stuff! #1 GREASES his landings...It reminds me of me. I've always been good at getting them down.

Now I'm just the dumb guy holding the switch on the buddy box. And my hands are getting cramped.

What a ball!

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Just don't forget to drill the emergency procedures stuff.. dead-stick for instance.  They should not solo and be on their own before you run them through all sorts of drills pertaining to problems that may develop.  Make them do approaches without the ailerons, for instance.  Not necessarily landings, but at least approaches.  Then have them cut to idle somewhere inconvenient..like upwind or some thing like that and have them make a safe landing, with you on the buddy box, of course.

Believe me, it will be worth it because I can almost guarantee that in the first several flights on their own, they will have dead-sticks and that training will absolutely be worth the effort.

Other than that, I know the feeling.  Good stuff!!!

CGr.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Congrats on the success of your students :D

Remember there is a lot more for them to learn from you as CG mentions above. It is very important to try to instill not being too over confident in the beginning. Too many students retire their trainers to quickly before getting enough experience before moving up to a higher performance airplane. The results are often less than good.[:o]

RE: The joys of instructing
 

I too love to teach.......I have often only flown for "myself" once a day but will take students up several times a day......if they only knew that when I have a student up I AM flying for myself as well.......
One of the greastest things about our hobby is you can find your niche...whether it be speed, scale, pattern, competition, giant scale, or teach...and we are all still pilots.......GOOD FLYIN TO ALL OF YOU

RE: The joys of instructing
 

And well you should be, as should they! Isn't it just the COOLEST thing when a student has some success?? :D:D

==============

Hey CGR....ya know, we've talked quite a bit back and forth on here, and just this morning i read your alligator story in another thread. After seeing your take in here, I'm more convinced than ever...

We have GOT to fly together some time. :)

RE: The joys of instructing
 

By no means do I, nor should I consider myself an instructor.  Been flying a little over a year and have had probably the best time of my life doing it.  I had a couple of what I do consider the greatest instructors a guy could have, and was grateful for the time they spent with me. 

I recently had a glimpse into the life of an instructor tho.  I had the chance to take my trainer, and put a customer of mine from work up on the buddy box.  That is the most awsome feeling.  I think I enjoyed that as much, if not more, than flying myself.  I know I had at least as much fun as he did.  Now I know why everyone was so 'helpful' when I first started.  There's a lot of excitement to be had by teaching someone something like RC. 

So anyway, thanks.</p>

RE: The joys of instructing
 

*blink*

pdm, you're in LaVergne as well? We HAVE to have bumped into each other at PAC or a field then...???


I dunno, man...sounds to me like you're an instructor, and just don't know it yet. :)

RE: The joys of instructing
 

I don't know Gordon...........might need to utilize one of those instructors again soon.  Picked up an Ultimate 1.60 this past week.  Might need someone to buddy box me again!

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Any time anywhere, my friend. You've been a good mentor for me... especially suggesting "Stick andRudder". I seem to fall back to that book quite often. Never actually read it cover to cover, but hit the stuff that interests me and, well, perhaps I HAVE read it cover to cover!!!

That aligator story is true.. and was hilarious at the time and still is!! You should have seen the look on his face.After that, we called him Gator Wilson!!

CGr.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Now we just have to convince you to come down here to TN. :)

====

I suppose a mention of Stick and Rudder is probably appropriate here, given the thread is about instructing. So I'll just toss out here that, imo, ANYONE who proposes to teach flying (or, for that matter, any pilot) REALLY ought to [link=http://www.amazon.com/Stick-Rudder-Explanation-Art-Flying/dp/0070362408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244817769&sr=8-1]buy a copy of[/link] Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying by Wolfgang Langewiesche.

It is, without any doubt, THE primer for how and why airplanes do what they do.

==========

pdm52956

As the old saying goes, "You have me at a disadvantage, sir". *heh* Clearly we know each other, and I am expected to know who you are...but for the life of me can NOT place the userid, dangit! :) almost certainly a case of CRS on my part. :)

Ah well, I'll still be happy to buddy box ya, whoever the heck you are. :D

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Oh blast...I just figured it out, Paul. :P I'm SUCH a moron! :)

RE: The joys of instructing
 

It's Paul, Gordon.  Still have servos, etc. to get for the Bipe but once it's together, I figure I could use your assistance.  </p>

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Well, Gordon, I'm frequently in Louisville, KY.  Perhaps if I get an over-the-weekend stay, I'll come on down.  We are usually there during the week doing flight tests for the new ADS-B program.  Louisville SDF is an FAA key site for the approach and landing service volume.  I'll be there Monday-Thursday next week, but given the distance (158 as the crow flys and more road driving) it would be tough to do during the week.

I'll let you know.

CGr.

RE: The joys of instructing
 

That'd work well. Wife's folks are in lousiville, so we're up there with the kids every so often, and can always be talked into another trip.

And hey...Bowling Green has some nice fields I hear, and is a pretty easy halfway point to drive. :)

=======

Yep, Paul, figure dit out right before you posted. :) And any time, man, you know that. Me, my shop, and my trainer-switch-holding-finger are always available. :)

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Yes it is.  I was on my way down there last week, going to the Corvette museum, but found out half way down that they were closed.. duh..   Anyway, it is an easy drive, that's for sure.  I mapquest'ed La Vergne and saw that it was 192 driving miles from downtown Louahville ;) and we stay at the Marriott downtown.. nice place!!  Anyway, Bowling Green is an easy drive.  Perhaps if we get done our profiles early, I can contact you and get on down.  </p>

This week, we have to get some sensor data from the terminal radar (Mode S data) as well as all the GPS ADS-B stuff we will be doing in the aircraft (two.. a Convair 580 and a King Air for this trip.. last week it was neat.. a Global 5000, Convair 580, and an S76 Helicopter.  I was in the Helicopter!!)</p>

Ok.. I'll PM you with my cell number once we find out what's going to happen next week.  Right now, the King Air is down with a pressure problem, but they think it's fixed.... not that I would mind being at 6,000 AGL vs 18,000.  Better scenery low down.  We will see.</p>

CGr.</p>

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Sounds like a winner, CGr. I'm usually able to be pretty flexible with work hours and such, so yeah...drop me a PM with the number, and we'll get in touch. :)

Man...a KingAir down around 6k? THAT could be a fun trip. :)

RE: The joys of instructing
 

Yup.  It was fun in and around Louisville in the S76.  We even did some low level flying in the Global 5000 which was interesting, to say the least.  We had the Convair flying "encounter" flights around us.. coming in towards us at 500 feet below, then passing under, then we did some flights where they would come in from behind and ascend directly in front of us, then come in on an angle to fly parallel to us at about 1/4 mile out, that sort of stuff. 

As of this morning, though, the King Air was down.  the pilots were going to take it up for a test flight this morning to see if the problem was fixed.  I've not heard anything yet, so we will see.  If we don't get the King Air, we may take the other Convair 580.  I hope it's the King Air, though.

I'll PM you.

CGr.