Student Drop-Out Rates...why?

"Gig 601XL Builder" wr.giacona@coxDOTnet wrote in message
news:VToOe.2865$Ix4.2257@okepread03...

wrote in message
oups.com...
I don't mean to psychoanalyze, but your son's friend's statement seems
suspect. He apparently has spent some time practicing simulated ILSes
into JFK (not to mention paying for and assembling a spiffy flight
simulator), so he must have found it somewhat entertaining on the
computer. How could it have been less entertaining in a real aircraft?

I guess the cost benefit of fun/effort may be better on a computer sim
than in a real aircraft, but that doesn't make it boring, just not the
best "investment."

If that's the case, the GA needs to understand that equation, and start
to tweak it.


You're right he has several hundred hours of simulator time. Basically he
learned to fly in a 747. I think it is all a matter of instant
gratification he has no interest in spending the time in the "little
planes" as he calls them even if it meant he would later get to fly 747s
for AA.

This is a good point.

The subject of "How Do I Start?" comes up often over on the MSFS newsgroup
and without fail, the suggestion is made to start with the Cessna 172, fly
the canned Rod Machado lessons, read the articles about flight and flying
and work your way up to the 182, the Mooney, the Lear, the 737, etc...

And, also without fail, the newbie responds: "I want to fly the heavy iron
NOW!!!"

Instant gratification indeed...

Jay Beckman - PP/ASEL (Sim Pilot Too)
Arizona Cloudbusters
Chandler, AZ

I don't know about that. It sounds like the newbie gets way too much
advice up front. All he/she wants is to get in the air. When he/she
asks "how do I start?", the advice should stop right after the part
where they get their license. After that, if they want to work their
way up, be available to advise.

AJ