instructor technique

This was after his pointed briefing on the ground about that we needed
to be clear about who was in control, and that whoever was would
announce / confirm it.

Mike

Not to condone this behavior as I agree that only one should be flying
unless a demonstration is in progress, may I offer a possible
rationale for it?

Frequently a CFIG may be flying for the first time with a pilot and
until an assessment of skill is completed, the instructor is
protecting his assets until a safe altitude/airspeed/position is
attained. My first few students in the glider suffered from my own
ham-hand until I became more confident in my own ability. Now, I
place my index finger lightly on top of the stick as I know where I
want the ship to go and as I feel the student input, I am able to
relax. In the Schweizer 2-33, my feet simply must be on the rudder
pedals due to the small rear cockpit and my long legs. I address this
with my students by telling them to push until I get the message and
move.

During my check-out as a club instructor at a large US club, my
check-instructor was riding the controls in a Grob throughout our
flight. This gentlemen did not know me or my qualifications except
that I was to be a new instructor for the club, yet I was insulted in
his actions. At that point, I firmly decided that if I required a
demonstration of a manuever, I would tell the student and have him
join me on the controls. Otherwise, I would only use my voice and
allow the student to fly, using me as expensive life insurance.

At the large club, there was also a concern that an instructor with a
lower flight time to flight number ratio would result in short flights
for the new club members. This was seen as a detriment due to the
typical first come, first fly procedure in effect there. Club policy
promoted instuctors helping the student to stay aloft for the allowed
time. This increases student total time, but I maintain that it
affects his own confidence in his ability to remain aloft. We all
need to fall out of lift and find it again.

While there may be many other reasons for this type of instructional
technique, these are the most likely. As a student you are the boss,
even in a club. If your instructor is retarding your learning--get
another instructor--now.

Terry Claussen
CFIG Estrella Sailport, AZ