Dave, you wouldn't happen to be flying around Boston, would you? You just
described my CFII

When I took my instrument checkride, I passed without any big issues, but
afterwards the examiner suggested a few changes to my technique. For
instance, I was taught to fly the ILS at about 72-75 knots (in a 172) and
to reset the second NAV to track the localizer when I crossed the FAF unless
I needed it for a fix. The examiner suggested I fly the approach at higher
airspeed and not bother backing up the localizer as "you're just giving
yourself more work to do." He also suggested that I not tell my CFII that he
told me so, and I know they know each other well. Haven't changed my
technique so far but have thought about it.

I think the biggest risk of sticking with one guy, particularly like these
kinds of guys, is that you acquire some of the same bees they have in their
bonnet. My guy can't stand "plastic airplanes" and swears he'd take round
gauges over a glass cockpit any day. On the other hand, this is a guy who's
flown thousands of hours in real IMC in small planes with 2 VORs and an ADF
and can fly partial-panel so smoothly I think he's part bird. So my approach
is when I don't understand why he tells me to do something, I ask him to
explain it and then make my own decision. Fortunately I end up agreeing with
him far more often than not, as I suspect you would with your guy if you've
stuck with him this far.

-cwk.