Lazy8
Registered Parrot Head
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
- Posts
- 789
Hey folks,
I've recenlty got a 'hand-me-down' student that has been training for his Private ticket since early 2003. He's in his 50's, has over 100 hours, and still hasn't soloed. He's an etremely nervous individual when it comes to flying; however, he really loves aviation. Just a couple examples...
If the tower gives amended taxi instructions on the way to the runway he'll slam on the brakes (just anywhere on a taxiway even with traffic following us) and with his finger hoovering over the transmit button for a very long time. Eventually the tower starts getting pissed (especially that time he stopped in a runway) and I take over.
During stalls (power on or off) as soon as he hears the stall horn he starts getting really jumpy. When the buffet occurs he freezes up, grabs my leg very tightly and occasionally lets out a small yelp. Not even kidding.
He's a pretty short guy and he can't really put in full deflection on the left or right rudder without ALOT of effort. It's a C172. I thought about a seat booster, but I don't see how that's going to make his legs reach the pedals any better.
Takeoffs and landings are acutally not too bad on a calm day; however, throw in the slightest crosswind or turbulance and it's a pretty shakey approach and a very wild landing. I've been working with him on this for about two months with no improvement. No matter how much we discuss it on the ground, how much we practice in the air, or how many times i show him I can't break his death grip and overcorrecting wing wagging all the way down to the runway.
His ground is SOLID. Knows his stuff very well.
I'm just more than a little concerned due to the fact of his hours and how long he's been doing this. Also, I don't know how to get him more comfortable in the airplane. I feel like he can do it, but he just needs to break his fears and feel like he's in control of the airplane. He flys twice a week. Super nice guy. Loves flying. Love airplanes. Reads everything he can get his hands on about it. Goes to seminars and safety meetings all the time.
Someone advised me to continue working with him for as long as he's willing to do it; however, it's very frustrating as an instructor to never see improvement in a student. I'm not giving up on him, but I do need an opinion or two from some of the more seasoned instructors here.
Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks
g
I've recenlty got a 'hand-me-down' student that has been training for his Private ticket since early 2003. He's in his 50's, has over 100 hours, and still hasn't soloed. He's an etremely nervous individual when it comes to flying; however, he really loves aviation. Just a couple examples...
If the tower gives amended taxi instructions on the way to the runway he'll slam on the brakes (just anywhere on a taxiway even with traffic following us) and with his finger hoovering over the transmit button for a very long time. Eventually the tower starts getting pissed (especially that time he stopped in a runway) and I take over.
During stalls (power on or off) as soon as he hears the stall horn he starts getting really jumpy. When the buffet occurs he freezes up, grabs my leg very tightly and occasionally lets out a small yelp. Not even kidding.
He's a pretty short guy and he can't really put in full deflection on the left or right rudder without ALOT of effort. It's a C172. I thought about a seat booster, but I don't see how that's going to make his legs reach the pedals any better.
Takeoffs and landings are acutally not too bad on a calm day; however, throw in the slightest crosswind or turbulance and it's a pretty shakey approach and a very wild landing. I've been working with him on this for about two months with no improvement. No matter how much we discuss it on the ground, how much we practice in the air, or how many times i show him I can't break his death grip and overcorrecting wing wagging all the way down to the runway.
His ground is SOLID. Knows his stuff very well.
I'm just more than a little concerned due to the fact of his hours and how long he's been doing this. Also, I don't know how to get him more comfortable in the airplane. I feel like he can do it, but he just needs to break his fears and feel like he's in control of the airplane. He flys twice a week. Super nice guy. Loves flying. Love airplanes. Reads everything he can get his hands on about it. Goes to seminars and safety meetings all the time.
Someone advised me to continue working with him for as long as he's willing to do it; however, it's very frustrating as an instructor to never see improvement in a student. I'm not giving up on him, but I do need an opinion or two from some of the more seasoned instructors here.
Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks
g