Don't CFI's know...

[abev107]

that their student is going to get into an accident? I ask because I will soon take my solo flight; I am trying to figure out how to be the safest pilot e.g. why are these students getting into an accidents. Do they fly ok with their CFI, then just lose it on their own?

I am just browsing through NTSB accident reports and looking at all of the Cessna 172 non-fatals. And quite a few seem to be student solos or low-time students departing the runway/hard landings. Does the CFI have any indication that this is going to happen, even in retrospect?

Accident information is so easily obtainable, it fogs my perception. I mean you never hear, "10,000 aircraft operations nationwide today and not one accident, news at 11".

 

[Timebuilder]

Do they fly ok with their CFI, then just lose it on their own?

If there was an accident, then that statement can be said to be "true".

Is it easy for the instructor to predict the exact state of mind of the student, and the ability of the student on a given day? No, not at all.

Feeling a little nervous?

Just do your best. I found on the day of my solo, a very breezy spring day I recall, that I flew better without my instructor on board. I knew that the succcess of this "mission" was 100% square on my shoulders, and I had better do a great job!

My friend Rod, a humorist and instructor, recommends that students develop an internal dialogue. Basically, it means talking to yourself (hopefully sub-vocally, so others don't hear you!) so that you can guide yourself through each step with certainty and safety. I found that I occaisionally heard my instructor's voice, along with my own.

Sometimes, I told the instructor voice to "shut up"!

Good luck.

 

[toneal]

you didn't by chance type the word student pilot into the keyword search did you? The question you ask would be the same as asking if red cars were dangerous because thousands of red cars got into auto accidents last year. Relax.. your CFI will know when your ready. Just follow the checklists and you should be alright.

 

[Wiggums]

Hard landing and "off-roading" happen all the time. It goes without saying that student pilots will be involved in some of these incidents. Accidents during training are much rarer during training then after you get your rating. If you instructor is competent she or he won't send you until your ready. Your instructor has more riding on your successful solo then you do.

 

[bobbysamd]

Student pilot accidents

I think you're worrying far too much about nothing.

Believe me, your instructor won't let you solo until he/she is 100% convinced that you are ready and safe. Your instructor puts his/her prestige on the line with endorsements. In other words, if a student screws the pooch, guess who takes much of the heat?

I haven't reviewed 172 accident stats, but I believe that you've arrived at a skewed conclusion. Quite a few schools use 172s as trainers and students at all levels of experience fly them.

Once more, don't worry, and enjoy your solo.

 

[tarp]

Opened Pandora's Box?

Too bad that you found the NTSB reports before you got further along in your training. Since you have opened the lid on the box, you now need to consider what happened?

The answer is sitting in the left hand column of your post. you have 9 hours experience.

What does that mean? You are just nicely getting the "feel" of the airplane for the proper speed to come down final. The "look" of the flair and the "touch" to keep the airplane between the runway edges while you roll it on. What you haven't seen a lot of are crosswinds of any strength, dust devils, gusts, prop or jet wash from the previous plane, thermals. You haven't had a chance to overcorrect too much without your CFI urging you to do something different - we all get a little bit of overwork on the ailerons and rudders making our own pilot induced oscillations.

The one thing you have in your back pocket that most of the NTSB reports don't cover is the successful "go-around". It is up to you to decide promptly that "this doesn't look right" or "it doesn't feel right". Generally, the only difference between a student's successful solo and one that ends up in the NTSB is a tunnel vision that comes from panic. Granted you will be nervous on your first solo and for a couple more after that, but it is up to you to remember that you are the "pilot in command" of the aircraft. The aircraft is not commanding you. You must make the decisions and you must exercise the skill.

On my pre-solo brief, I always tell my students this combination:

You are to make three landing attempts. These can be full-stop or they can be go-arounds. On the third attempt, you are authorized to make as many go-arounds as you need to get it right, but when you do land, I want it to be to a full stop and then taxi right back here to me. I'm on the radio. Have a great time.

What did I tell my student? Not that three landings were required or desired. Heck, I only need them to make one good landing. A go-around is always an option and they know that I've taught them all about power and flaps and "flying" the airplane out of trouble.

So if a gust comes up or you overcorrect and the landing just doesn't feel right, don't try and make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.....go-around and set up for another one. It's the option the guys in the NTSB report usually don't take advantage of until its too late. You're job is to be safe, be pilot-in-command and be a good aviation citizen.

Think positive, be positive.

PS. When I took my CFI ride, I was so exited about passing that when I jumped out of the C-152, my glass ball fell to the tarmac and shattered. I haven't been able to predict what a single student would do without me in the plane. I can only trust that they will do what they were taught.

 

[JRSLim]

It all depends

On my first solo I was confident-- not over confident, but I was calm and collected a nd when I took to the air -- everything made sense, the world was in perfect order - it was perfect, start to finish.
On my second solo -- It was a nice mild day-- with only some high level clouds. I took off for my 6 Touch and gos-- on about number four, the wind picked up -- it got bumpy at patrter alt too. I got nervous.
So I asked for a full stop. Tower offered me runway 12. On final I calmed myself odwn and said 'you can do this -- put in your crosswind controls -- make this plane straight (words of my instructor)' I made the landing.
Here's my mistakes:
1. Tower offered me runway 12. Because I was nervous and wanted down, I didn't do the math to figure out that runway 12 had about a 14-17 kt crosswind.
2. After landing I didn't keep my nose up. the wind caught me and started to make the plane fishtail. It 'wheelbarrowed' and caught the right wingtip (which I didn't even realize until later).
3. As the plane swerved and got closer to the runway edge I thought about pulling the mixture to cut the engine, but I held off -- seems silly now, but I remember thinking it was unnecesary. So I departed the runway - hit a snow bank- the tail rose to 90 degrees, a nd the same wind pushed it back down. Damage to the wing and prop/ engine-but I was ok.

What I leared- Calming down and thinking works. I Just wish I had been thinking when I agreed to land on 12.

So here's what I'm leading up to. Don't worry too much about it. Your instructor will know and you will 'feel' when you are safe and ready. You are beginning a long road on the way to being a pilot. If you want it - it will happen. And you also have to realise that flying (like driving or walking or having sex) can be dangerous, things can happen. But don't focus on that, concentrate on doing well -- and you will. I now have 225 hours and I can land in a #^!@* crosswind! I hope this answers your question.
By the way. Did you know that Manfred von Richthofen crashed on one of his early flights?

Fly on your way like an Eagle!
Shaun

 

[pavelump]

Re: It all depends

3. As the plane swerved and got closer to the runway edge I thought about pulling the mixture to cut the engine, but I held off -- seems silly now, but I remember thinking it was unnecesary. So I departed the runway - hit a snow bank- the tail rose to 90 degrees, a nd the same wind pushed it back down. Damage to the wing and prop/ engine-but I was ok.

Wow. Did you have to pay for the damage?

Dave

 

[toneal]

Im sure you paid a deductible right?

 

[JuJu]

JRSlim,


Were you flying a taildragger? Sounds like you're describing a ground loop of sorts.