"Richard Russell" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 15:46:25 GMT, "Dudley Henriques"
wrote:

I have no problem remembering how important the days
were between my lessons. That time was invaluable to the process,
allowing me to evaluate what I had done and mentally practice and
prepare to do better the next time. I truly believe that this kind of
learning must be digested, and that takes time.

This single factor you have stated here is the cornerstone of the
learning process as it relates to learning to fly. I can't stress enough
the importance I place on instructors COMPLETELY understanding this
single simple premise. Unfortunately, some do not!!
Learning to fly an airplane is a process that involves several very
different and distinct areas of involvement; the first is the constantly
changing dynamic that is occurring in real time as the student is in the
airplane with the instructor. Because of the constantly changing
dynamic, the rote function becomes predominant over the comprehension
requirement. The "on board" teaching scenario for a flight instructor is
a classroom in constant motion at speeds varying from the left side to
the right side of the flight envelope of the airplane; and all this
while moving constantly in in a 3 dimensional environment.
This scenario demands an ongoing, constantly changing physical
interaction with the aircraft by the student.......or by the instructor
if the student is too slow :-) Good instructors don't ride the controls
on their students, and this requires an elevated level of "teaching
ability" if this is to be achieved.
Teaching" in this environment will require the instructor to constantly
be ahead of the changing dynamic so that correct action can be taken by
the student AS IT'S REQUIRED!!! ANY CFI can take the controls and "do
it" for the student. The trick in good flight instruction is NOT for the
instructor to have to take the controls from the student. It's this
single factor of good flight instruction that sets up the conditions for
what we're discussing here; the period between lessons!!!!
If one stops to consider for even a moment or two, the optimum curve for
learning to fly an airplane properly, it becomes apparent that dealing
with understanding and comprehension should take place BEFORE the flight
in discussion with the student about what is about to happen in the
airplane, and AFTER the flight, again in discussion with the student
about what HAS happened during the lesson. The period in between lessons
therefore, becomes of PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE in the learning process, as
it's HERE that the student puts together the understanding and
comprehension needed to complete the lessons learned. The actual time in
the aircraft itself is mostly a "show and do", which by it's very nature
is a rote lesson period.
The bottom line on this is that you actually learn to fly an airplane
both inside and outside the airplane. Those periods between flights are
where it really comes together for you, not usually in the airplane when
things are happening in that constantly changing scenario.
A "rushed through" program of any kind, although allowing one to parrot
the rote functions learned in the air, can deny those all important "in
between times" that is so critical to comprehension and understanding.
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired
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