Dancebert dancebert @ yahoo R E MOVE .com wrote in message . ..
On 20 Oct 2003 15:39:23 -0700, (Buck Wild) wrote:
....
I never "taught anyone to fly", but I have guided many students safely
while they learned it on their own, so to speak. That was my job.
...
You will learn more & better what you figure out on your own, than
what somebody tells you.
...

That's what it seems like they're doing. I have no doubt it works,
but there are times when I think it would be so much easier to not
have to figure it out on my own. But I also acknowledge I'm a newbie
who's just past the completely cluless stage.

Hmmm... The 'figure it out on your own' part often leads to
adrenalin surges and occasionally by the instructor making
corrections. I can see there is value in the instructor seeing how
the student reacts when things don't go as expected or start to get
out of hand. Does he systematically try to regain control? Does he
flail and wimper? Does he freeze? Maybe everything is going as
planned.

To
Having said all that, and not knowing the particulars, maybe you just
found crummy instructors?
Not very likely. The first place I tried came recommened to me by a
former national champion and also by someone who is an SHA Officer.

Or maybe your a crummy student? (nothing personal)
Entirely possible.


I should add that it's not as simple as folding your arms in the back
seat & letting the poor guy figure everything out on his own. This
method is just one in my bag of tricks that I use when it's
appropriate. A good instructor knows when to add more instruction, &
when to kick back. This was 10 times more difficult for hang gliding
than for sailplanes, since once a student launces a hang glider, he's
solo every flight. You couldn't add more instruction until they land,
and you can't have them crashing, and you saying "figure it out, try
it again".
one of the most valuable things I've learned is that everyone learns a
little differently, and the real trick (for the instructor) is when a
student gets stuck on something, and your instruction isn't working,
you need to change your instruction method to adapt to the individual,
and figure out what it is that the student needs for that particular
person to "get it".
I myself have been "tricked" into learning by a wize & wiley sage on
occasion. Seems I learn best when I don't know Im getting a "lesson",
and Im not real good with "book" learning. Im the opposite type, who
might tell an instructor to shut up & let me figure it out. At least
until I master a certain plateau and need some guidance to progress to
the next level.
Im not sure if any of this helps, I just know that showing isn't
teaching, and copying isn't learning. Like I said, better to find a
teacher you like & get along with, and filter for usefull information,
than a great teacher that you can't understand.
Teaching was the hardest I've ever worked for the least amount of
cash, though I can go flying & always find people who took their first
flight with me who are highly skilled pilots now. A reward that keeps
on giving.
Good luck with the lessons.
-Dan
Stratus V
109 Aeros Stealth Comp