On 22 Jan 2004 06:26:06 -0800, (Litwin) wrote:

Thank you for your comments. Yes, I did check as to freelance CFIs in
this region, one is in Florida 8 months out of the year (gee I wonder
why) and not highly recommended, the other had his med certificate
pulled, and the other is well, on good information, a drunk so to
speak, and wouldnt have access to a plane. I also checked the other
airport 65 miles from here, a few I talked to were disappointed with
their flight instruction there. The next closest ga instruction is 90
miles. College and post grad were closer, and yes I want to fly, but
what preposterous conditions, its just not a reasonable sacrafice for
me. I guess it is different in the big city.

I drove to the airport this am to submit my "resignation" and I did
give the reasons, while looking at them trying to handprop one of the
training planes. I was such an excellent student, what a
disappointing surprise blah blah blah, they dont get it and never
will. And if I were to get my PP certif., I would be likely flying
out of that place anyway.

I am giving my flight bag with the books, videos, kneeboard and
headset to my nephew down south, if he wants them, perhaps he will
have more enjoyable circumstances than i encountered when he is old
enough to fly.

I learned a lot and progressed better than I imagined, and enjoyed the
very few good days. I never thought I could learn to control and land
an airplane unassisted, but I did. The fact that i could at least do
that is pretty cool.

I drove out after my "resignation" in a developing whiteout, knowing
that the coming 3 or 4 days of low IFR left me confident that learning
to fly is not practical in these parts, as the headlights of my former
CFI were turning into the airport, 45 minutes late.

The best of luck to the rest of you who have better circumstances and
the opportunity to find it rewarding.


Sorry to hear you're stopping your flying lessons, but given the conditions...
weather, condition of aircraft, condition of instructors, so few days of good
VFR weather, I can't say that I blame you. No matter how much we want to do
something, if it isn't enjoyable most of the time, we aren't going to continue.
I can't imagine flying under the conditions you describe. I've flown some old
aircraft and I've flown some new aircraft and in both cases the aircraft were
mechanically sound, the instructors were on time, professional and went out of
their way to make the learning experience enjoyable and as exciting as flying
itself.

Based on what you have experienced, it seems the logical solution would be to
move to a more accommodating climate, in a larger city with more options and
more students. I also realize that might not be at all practical for you, but
if you get the chance... go for it.

All GA is not like your experience. For instance, the FBO I fly from now has
all new Cessna 172's, 182's, one 206 and a Trinidad. The oldest Cessna on line
is a 2000 model year, the newest a 2003. There are three full time flight
instructors on call and the chief pilot and one instructor are there at all
times. I've had BFR's with two of the instructors and they were both very
professional and supportive. Take heart... there is still hope for GA.

Ron