"Roy Smith" wrote in message
...
"Mike Rapoport" wrote:
There are two aspects to flying, knowledge and the act of actually
controlling the airplane.

I would add a third element: developing good judgement.

This is true, and it's an integral part of any good flight training
program. I like to consider it as part of the immersion factor; the part
where the student is exposed to the instructor. The first few hours are
critical in the "good judgment" area. It's here that the overall tone of
what the student will come to expect from his/her flying experience will
be formed.
Students are habit pattern sponges. They will emulate and in most cases
duplicate their instructor's attitude and habit patterns. It's
absolutely crucial that the instructor set the tone IMMEDIATELY for what
will be absorbed by the student in the way of developing habit patterns
and judgment. Everything the instructor does both in and outside the
airplane will be watched by the student. In this respect there can be an
unusual process going on, and it's a wise instructor who knows how this
works.
When it comes to what a student ACTUALLY remembers and adopts as their
own habit patterns and basis for judgment, it isn't so much what the
instructor says that matters. It's what the instructor DOES in and
around the airplane that impresses the student.
The safer the instructor IS, the more of that safe habit pattern and
good judgment will rub off on the student.
You can't actually "teach" good judgment by any other method but
example.
Along these lines I always told prospective CFI's to consider carefully
the potential for both good and bad that their example both in and
around the airplane could transfer over to their students.
Developing good judgment in a student is one of the prime
responsibilities of a flight instructor, and an awesome responsibility
that should be taken VERY seriously!
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired
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