On 2007-06-21 22:58:48 -0400, Jay Honeck said:

Scary (impossible?) though it may seem, that little baby that I held
in my arms moments after birth (hell, I cut his umbilical cord!) is
scheduled to take his first flight lesson tomorrow afternoon...

It seems like just yesterday I was changing his diaper, or teaching
him to tie his shoes. And it was just a few days ago that I was
helping him drive a nail for the first time, and showing him how to
throw a baseball.

It's remarkable how quickly the years have flown by. He's really a
young man now, stronger, faster, and smarter than either of his
parents. And with 1500+ hours in the air in GA aircraft, he's
probably more comfortable there than any student in history.

After much searching, we've found the perfect flight instructor for
Joe -- a semi-retired pilot of classic aircraft, with many thousands
of hours doing tail-wheel mountain flying. He's one of the nicest
gentlemen we've ever met, and, along with his wife, has become a close
friend after a year of hanging out on "Movie Nights".

Still, despite all this...I'm terrified. Letting -- no, encouraging
-- my boy to launch himself into the wild blue yonder is weighing
heavily on my soul, and -- as much as I desperately want him to know
the freedom of flight -- this is really scary.

I don't think anyone will be doing much sleeping tonight...

Just a word of caution Jay. Knowing the way you think I'm fairly
certain you have thought of this already, but just in case;
I'm sure you and Mary thought long and hard about your choice of a CFI.
He sounds like a good one from your description.
Be ESPECIALLY CAREFUL you don't fall into the trap of the parent/pilot
myself syndrome.
A very common problem we instructors run into on occasion with a pilot
owner as involved in flying as you and Mary are when they turn a
youngster over to us for formal dual is that as parents you might THINK
you see something that is in conflict with our methods and procedures.
Remember, the CFI is seeing your son as a student ONLY, and gearing his
instruction to your son the way HE believes will be the best way to get
the job done.
This of course, from time to time, might very well conflict with the
way YOUmight be presenting something to your son. If this happens and
you intervene, you might innocently create a confusing atmosphere that
could hinder rather than help your son.
Keeping normal parental "worries and concerns" in the right place, when
and if this occurs, and it probably will :-)), my suggestion is to say
nothing to your son, but discuss it directly with the instructor.
I've been through this with a few "anxious parents", and found the
issue important enough to include a pre-first lesson interview between
instructors and parents in your position as a suggested procedure for
every CFI taking on a student through this path.
I mention it to you only peripherally really, as I'm sure you and Mary
are "wise old owls", but as well for new CFI's out here who might be
entering this scenario someday.
Wish your boy the best of luck from me. I know he'll do fine.
Dudley Henriques