Instructors Forum
 

As an instructor for many years. I am very surprised that there is no forum on any of the sites for instructors to share info, ideas, educational materials and experiences. One of the biggest problems I see with club run training programs is a lack of standardization. I think a dedicated forum for instructors or flyers interested in becoming instructors would go a long way in helping this hobby start to grow again!
Douglas R. Serrand

RE: Instructors Forum
 

mundo-
Sorry I don't have any answers for you. But I teach friends to fly and I would like to see this thread grow. I could always use a few tips.-BW

RE: Instructors Forum
 

Not a bad idea. A good many folks here on RCU are or have been instructors. I'm not an "official" club instructor, but I have been instructing others since not long after I learned to fly RC myself. A lot of the "real" instructors here might frown on that, but I think it gives me a unique perspective. I did not plan things that way, it just kind of happened that when other people saw me flying and wanted to learn, there was no one else readily availible to teach them so I did what I could. Quite accidentaly, I found that I was capable of teaching someone else and did enjoy teaching them.

From my own experience, the problem I see with standardized teaching methods is the students are not standardized.:D
Obviously, there are some basic flight skills that should be taught in a somewhat standard order. But my main goal is to be flexible enough to find out how to best engage the student and keep them enthusiastic about what they're learning.
I notice several differences with teaching in general just between kids and adults. Adults in general seem to be better at following verbal commands and I find myself holding the trainer button down for most of their first flights and giving them more verbal commands.
10 to 15 year old kids I find are usually better with hand-eye coordination and controling the plane when coming back towards them. But they are more likely to experiment too quickly and get into bad situations quicker, especially boys. In any event, I believe standards are good, but the real key is finding a way to engage and stimulate them enough to make them want to spend more time with you. That is how you learn how to communicate and relate with each other and that's when the real teaching happens. Anyway, maybe someone else will weigh in. Might be a good thread to keep going.;)

RE: Instructors Forum
 

I also would like to see an instructors forum but, for other purposes. One that would provide a list of instrucors by State, area covered?, those willing to travel and what they would charge ie $/hr. travel or not.
In my case I reentered the R/C community after a long layoff. I have no one in my remote area of the State that I can find to fly with let alone instruct. The AMA clubs I tried to contact have not responded or after a request to visit or attend a meeting have not responded. (I am 120-160 miles from the neaerst club). Given this AMA provides me NOTHING!
I need someone that can watch over me (an angel) and provide input into what I may be doing wrong.
I am finding my building skills are still excellent. My flight skills need some work.

Sign me LSF# 1829 lvl II

RE: Instructors Forum
 

http://www.rcuniverse.com/community/...pe=instructors

Ken

RE: Instructors Forum
 

If you click on the "RCU Community" button at the top of the screen, there is a link to find instructors. But this doesn't include all club instructors, just the ones who have registered on RCU as such.

RE: Instructors Forum
 

Thanks guys, However I have tried to contact "Barons" in Deer Park and "Red Apple Flyers" in Wenatchee with less than satisfactory response.

Brian

RE: Instructors Forum
 

How about making this thread a sticky...that would keep it at the top of the forum for easy access.
I think it's a good idea. I've been an instructor for a long time..since '75...but we never stop learning...it would be interesting to share tips and techniques, and help new instructors.

RE: Instructors Forum
 

I'll share another that I find strange. Maybe someone else has had the same experience.
I've converted some HZ Super Cubs to 72mhz radios so I can use trainer boxes with them. This is the primary plane that I use to teach a newbie. The next plane that I let them fly is either the T-28 or the Hobbico Avistar.(unless they have their own trainer plane).
By accident, I've discovered that if I let them fly the Avistar on their second or third buddy box flight, they seem to do much better with their next flight on the Super Cub. I'm not sure why, I just know it works.;)

RE: Instructors Forum
 

good thread! Im surprised that the WA clubs havnt responded. I would keep trying, sometimes the contact info changes and isnt updated. usually clubs go out of there way to find and teach new pilots.
I have found out instructing that the X box generation kids need alot of expo to counteract the slamming of the sticks, that they are used to. then gradually back it out to normal

RE: Instructors Forum
 

Well I'm not x-box gen.
Started R/C over 35 years, no, 40 years ago and built over 200 + planes. Started with a Kraft escapment system. I just need to catch up after a <u>very</u> long layoff and get my fingers back.
I'm building my own grass strip on the back forty (watch out for the horses), it will end up 1000' +/-.

RE: Instructors Forum
 

Doug,

As one ofyour fellowInstructors at CCRC (Tim Boyle), I'll second the request for an Instructors Forum. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...wink_smile.gif

I think it would be instructive to keep it open for all members so that Students can see the flipside of their own frustration trying to arrange instruction. I was a student seeking instruction just over a year ago. Now that I'm on the other side I feel I have a good handle on the general feelings on both sides of the issue.

As to your comments about Hobby growth, I could not agree more. However, many established Hobbists/Club Members seem not to want to see growth as this just makes the field more crowded for them when theydo go out. I find this mindset unfortunate as I feel it's shortsighted.

In summary, I support an Instructors Forum because both new Pilots as well as Instructors could learn a great deal from each other in an open forum.

Mods, thoughts please?

RE: Instructors Forum
 

I to am an instructor at my club and there have been threads here, even one that I started years ago, where instructors discussed techniques. Another I recall had to do with instructing an elderly gentleman that just wasn't getting it. Perhaps a subforum under the beginers forum maybe.

RE: Instructors Forum
 

http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/..._technique.htm

http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/t1.../?p=1463695#RR

RE: Instructors Forum
 

I've only instructed for a year, but I really enjoy it. I'm in the hobby as much for the social aspect as the flying, and there are few things you can do in the club to meet people better than instructing. The biggest issue I've found is people thinking that volunteer instructors are the same as people who are working in a professional service industry. How to set expectations more realistically is something I could use help with.

RE: Instructors Forum
 

In our club there are no official instructors. If the beginner/novice feels comfortable and confident with you then thats OK. Ther are plenty of people that have been flying in my club a long time and are only too pleased to help and give advice. I have learnt alot of extra skills in teaching and gained so much more experience. Teaching some one else to fly in our club I feel I have given something back for all the hours that were given to me freely and with alot of good will. We have a scheme also that if you do not hold the BMFA "A" Certificate then you never fly alone.