from the archives.....

[Traumahawk]

Was lookin' back at some older stuff and came across a reply to a post that was similar to some we have been seeing about morale in the aviation workplace--if you choose to call it that--particularly flight instructing. I thought it would be a good pick-me-up....it had me rollin' back then. Heck, you may even find some of the techniques helpful....and if you have any to add, please do
In any event, have fun out there guys.
-- T-hawk

Well, at least you're honest. You've been instructing enough you have a right to feel that way. If you were less experienced, especially as an instructor, I'd say bend over so I can kick you good and hard...but not to worry. It's time to take a breather.

As for motivation, seek new avenues. When in a rut, it's time to experiment. If students are getting on your nerves, change the environment. Try some new techniques. Try a new approach. Step outside your comfort zone.

Perhaps it's time to go take a banner towing job instead. I know from past experience that it won't do students any good once the "attitude" begins; sometimes just a change of venue or assignment is all it takes. You're not doing anybody any favors letting discontent build, least of all yourself. Look into a change.

If you intend to stay instructing, find something to push yourself. You might consider pursuing the NAFI Master CFI program; it's structured, and has a tangible reward as part of the effort. It provides motivation, a goal, and some reason in your efforts.

If that fails, use innovative techniques. I like to fly holding a fork. If the student bugs me, I can jab them with the fork, or alternately look at them through the tines and pretend they're in jail. Another useful technique is to use a sock puppet. Make the sock puppet do the instructing, and you ride along only because you have to be there to do the endorsing. Make the student communicate with the sock puppet, and refuse to answer questions yourself, or talk on the radio.

Another technique that really helps liven up the cockpit is electroshock therapy. This is best done with a short cattleprod (be sure to carry extra batteries. There is nothing worse than your prod running out of voltage in the middle of a flight lesson). Gently set the ground rules before the flight, explaining that any altitude deviation of 100' or more will result in being struck about the head and shoulders with a rolled up sectional. Any altitude deviation of 150-200' will result in a single shock with the prod, and more than 200' will result in continuous voltage until the deviation is corrected. Don't forget, for students who do a superb job, to just shock them once in a while to remind them, anyway. Besides, it's fun.

Introduce new distractions. While pencils dropped on the floor and wet fingers in the ear are traditional standby's, why not burst a blown up plastic bag, or set a tarantula in their lap? Everyone loves to play the "what would you do right now if..." games. Liven it up. Set a small container on the top of the glareshield before the flight. Then while in the practice area, while engaged in flight maneuvers, ask the question.

"What would you do right now if a swarm of African Killer Bees filled the cockpit, and then the engine failed, and your passenger panics and grabs the controls like this and won't let go, and you spill your coffee in your lap like this (pour hot coffee in their lap only if the seats are vinyl)?" When they don't have a good answer, take the lid off the tin on the glareshield and let the bees go. I should add that it's a good idea to have some strong bug juice on before you do this, button your collar to the top, and use long sleeves that are tight at the wrists. Carry epinepherine just in case.

Wait until after the bees are upset to pull the mixture, remove the keys, and toss them from the window. There's nothing like realistic training, and in the event that your student ever does encounter an engine failure while combatting a swarm of angry african killer bees after spilling hot coffee in their lap, they'll return to thank you.

Other fun things are running the trim full up or down and requiring the student to go the entire session in that condition. Or holding full rudder. Replace the fuel in one tank with coffee. Then when the student switches tanks and experiences a failure, you can use it as an object lesson on why students shouldn't run tanks dry later in life. This has the added advantage of being a reduced fire hazard in the event you can't get a restart, and it's something you can drink and stay warm while waiting for help.

Add props such as bubba teeth to your routine. I like to create a relaxed atmosphere. For young gothic students, I prefer to place a dead body in the back seat. For rural folks, I put straw and sawdust on the floor of the aircraft and a couple of chickens in back (rhode island reds seem to fair best during routine training operations). If the student is into punk, I leave tacks on the seat and hope they don't get too excited. Yuppies get ferns. And so on. Creativity is it's own reward.

If your student happens to be an off duty firefighter, leave a burning cigarette in the back somewhere and see how long it takes them to deal with the resulting blaze. For police officers, toss a firecracker in back. Check for backup weapons first.

Trade places. Tell the student you want them to teach you a maneuver. Be a really bad student for them, make them work at it; show them what it's like to be in your shoes. In fact, take off your shoes. Make the student wear them. Perhaps even swap clothes. Although I wouldn't recommend going that far, you might consider getting your name legally changed to that of the student, and visa versa. It's the little things that make these operations memorable.

Get a couple of auto foolers and wire them under the cowl. Right after engine start there will be a high pitched whistle followed by a lot of smoke and then a bang. If they don't understand the rollicking humor in the event, tell them it's part of the new FAA-mandated realism-based terror(ist) training. If they handle it well, cut loose the tarantula. If they're still non-plussed, bring on the bees. Failing that, take out the sock puppet. That will creep anybody out.

It's all in how you approach it. Don't get burned out yet. We still have plenty of recession to go around for everybody.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I never saw that one.

That is pretty GD funny!!!!