Rod Machado's New PPL Manual

"Dudley Henriques" <dhenriques@rcn.com> wrote

> All of these points are pertinent. There are as well HUGE issues
> concerning the manner in which many flight schools and instructors
> integrate with new students. Much could be done to improve the general
> business model.

At many flight schools, it seems as though flight instruction is an
accidental by-product.

The real goal seems to be to give time builders (instructors, though I
hesitate to use that term for some) a chance to log hours, and to move on to
bigger and better careers. The instructor's schedule flexibility is more
important than keeping the student's scheduled lesson appointment.

Yes, I know there are exceptions, and this has been lamented over before,
but it is still relevant.

I feel that the time commitment is the next biggest impediment, and the big
roadblock to more students and pilots getting and staying current is still
the price. I don't know what could be done to greatly improve the
situation, and I don't see it changing very much. I do feel that Light
Sport is a step in the right direction, but it is still expensive, and
moving very slowly in the right direction.
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:
> "Dudley Henriques" <dhenriques@rcn.com> wrote
>
>> All of these points are pertinent. There are as well HUGE issues
>> concerning the manner in which many flight schools and instructors
>> integrate with new students. Much could be done to improve the general
>> business model.
>
> At many flight schools, it seems as though flight instruction is an
> accidental by-product.
>
> The real goal seems to be to give time builders (instructors, though I
> hesitate to use that term for some) a chance to log hours, and to move on to
> bigger and better careers. The instructor's schedule flexibility is more
> important than keeping the student's scheduled lesson appointment.
>
> Yes, I know there are exceptions, and this has been lamented over before,
> but it is still relevant.
>
> I feel that the time commitment is the next biggest impediment, and the big
> roadblock to more students and pilots getting and staying current is still
> the price. I don't know what could be done to greatly improve the
> situation, and I don't see it changing very much. I do feel that Light
> Sport is a step in the right direction, but it is still expensive, and
> moving very slowly in the right direction.

Your points are all valid. The entire structure dealing with the way
CFI's and flight school management interface has been built over time on
a foundation weakened by the way BOTH the instructors and the system
integrate with each other.
You are correct that it is indeed a poor business model. I don't have
the answer to all this, but one thing I do know. NOTHING will change
until the role of the instructor is seen as a professional role, and
this requires BOTH the system AND the instructor corps to re-evaluate
and restructure themselves. I don't see this happening.

This being said, the only thing that can improve the situation is for
individual CFI's to improve their own image. Some are doing this. Many
are not.
The state of the art is not optimized by a long shot.

--
Dudley Henriques

buttman wrote:
> On Mar 25, 4:46 am, Dudley Henriques <dhenriq...@rcn.com> wrote:
>
>> I've spent over 50 years involved
>> in the flight instruction business
>
> No kidding, you only mention this in every other post you make...

Well Butts, if this is all you're getting out of my posts on the forum,
I can see why we have little in common as instructors.
:-))

--
Dudley Henriques

On Mar 25, 11:05 am, Dudley Henriques <dhenriq...@rcn.com> wrote:
> Dan wrote:
>
> The bottom line on these flights is that the goal is to create in the
> newbie a desire to fly again. I'll tell you the truth. Any CFI worth the
> title should be able to take any newbie who was motivated enough to come
> in for a discovery flight in the first place, take them on that flight,
> and instill in them a burning desire to return and do it again that is
> so strong, the newbie can't wait to get back into the air.
>
> Hope this helps a bit.
>
> --
> Dudley Henriques

Absolutely.

So grabbing the yoke while screaming "Do that again and we'll die!" is
considered bad form?

;-)

On Mar 25, 11:53 am, Dudley Henriques <dhenriq...@rcn.com> wrote:
> Dudley Henriques wrote:
>
> I just remembered; it's the Bridgstone Tire Superbowl commercial.
> I guess their marketing works after all :-))
>
> --
> Dudley Henriques

That's the one!

WJRFlyBoy wrote:
> On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:39:20 -0400, Dudley Henriques wrote:
>
>> manuals written so that
>> they don't intimidate the section of the market that doesn't respond
>> positively to an " engineering approach" to ground school, and CFI's who
>> come to realize the value of learning how to project complicated
>> subjects in a manner that makes a housewife as comfortable in the
>> learning process as an engineer.
>>
>> --
>> Dudley Henriques
>
> How about a few of these multi-billion $$ aircraft mfgs getting
> education and exposure to the elementary-college level kids and young
> adults? Where is Cessna, et al with conspicuousness at the local
> municipal airport, someone you could talk to or ask questions while
> (always) waiting for your (late) flight, handout a damn brochure FCS?

Major manufacturer involvement in the flight training business has been
tried before with mixed results. Nothing wrong with them continuing the
practice.
The flight training community however, is in need of a general major
overhaul if anything positive is to result. Unfortunately, I see little
hope for this happening.

--
Dudley Henriques

WJRFlyBoy wrote:
> On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:47:35 -0400, Dudley Henriques wrote:
>
>> I have believed for many moons that there exists in General Aviation a
>> totally unnecessary trend toward the macho image for the GA pilot. It's
>> this very self envisioned image that drives away many "average people"
>> who would otherwise give aviation a try.
>>
>> Machado addresses this issue head on with his books. Although not overly
>> simplified, his free wheeling style addresses the flying issues in a
>> manner that tends NOT to intimidate the reader. I personally find great
>> value in this, as it fills a gap in GA that desperately needs to be
>> filled if GA is to progress into the future.
>
> I don't think that I have ever seen a hobby, pleasure sport or job field
> that appears to go out of its way to place barriers, hurdles and
> hoop-jumping as GA. My novitiate guess is that this must stem from a
> post-War mentality when pilots were trained and coming into GA ready to
> fly in gobs.

There is indeed a "macho mystique" associated with pilots in general
that attracts a specific demographic to flying and discourages the rest
of a potential market. Not a good business model at all.


>
> Personally, if not for the cost and convenience justifications
> (work/travel), as much as I am enjoying my re-entry into to GA, I'd punt
> this effort in a heartbeat. Nearly everything is an uphill climb.

It's not an easy road for sure :-)


--
Dudley Henriques

Valid points but I think it is understandable if somebody is less than
enthusiastic about what GA can do to a new pilot's business/career.
Personally I find that a PPL is great for recreational purposes and
could be a good confidence booster in general but I am not sure how
much direct utility a PPL has in day to day life. I know there are
exceptions but for the average PPL like me, I fly strictly for fun. In
that sense I feel that GA should be sold as a cool and interesting
hobby instead of as a driver's license in the sky which it is not.

On Mar 24, 9:58 pm, "Bob Gardner" <bob...@> wrote:
> We lose a lot of potential students because the scenario you outline is way
> too common. The newbie walks up and talks to the girl at the counter, who
> hands over a price list. The newbie, who is price shopping anyway, takes it
> and walks out. Properly greeted by someone who asks about the newbie's plans
> to use the new ticket and describes what flying ability will do for his/her
> business/vacation/travel/career won't get to talking money until the newbie
> is half-way sold on the idea of flying...a well-designed and performed
> discovery flight will do the rest. The emphasis has to be on the new
> student, not on money or hours.
>
> Bob Gardner
>

On Mar 25, 11:31 pm, Larry Dighera <LDigh...@att.net> wrote:
> On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:39:20 -0400, Dudley Henriques

> I understand your reasoning for that opinion, but I believe it
> overlooks a few salient facts. The NAS is, by design, an engineered
> system. Those who are uncomfortable dealing with the specifics and
> absolutes of engineering and engineered systems are probably
> unqualified to operate in that environment, and shouldn't get involved
> with it. The dedication and commitment required to remain current,
> and the fundamental change in attitude necessary to responsibly
> command a flight demand a certain "fire in the belly" toward being an
> airman. The financial, time commitment, and negative marketing
> obstacles serve to test that desire, and weed out those would be
> flight students who lack the required commitment to succeed at
> becoming a competent pilot, not merely a certificate holder.

Larry I don't quite understand your point. If this scenario was
applied to learning to drive a car then there would be a heck of a lot
less people driving cars than there are now. My opinion is similar to
that of Dudley's, that within certain fairly general parameters anyone
can be taught to fly an aircraft safely within a GA environment.
After all, I got my PPL and I am about as far from being a natural
pilot as you can get. My personal philosophy is not to strive to be
the best pilot in the world, but to be the safest pilot in the world.
I'm sure if I ever approach my goal I'd have discovered competency
somewhere along the way.

Dan wrote:

> That said, In my very humble opinion -- The biggest problem with
> primary flight training is the lack of money and focus -- so many FBOs
> are run on a shoestring (or a loss) trying to run charter and a
> school. The Big Schools are all focused on airline wannabes and
> require moving to their location for an extended period of time.

Tis true.

A buddy of my listened to my flying stories and he started taking lessons
at a local FBO. Like everyone he gets canceled out by WX. But worse..his
instructor canceled out 50% of the flyable days for one reason or another.
Very annoying as my buddy went two months without being able to fly. He was
afraid he'd lose whatever skills he learned.

I suggested he get a different instructor and he resisted that for a while
because he liked the way the guy taught. But finally the FBO operator took
over - they just barely avoided losing a student.

> Please -- before you flame .. I'm sure there are plenty of FBOs/Pilot
> Schools that do it all perfectly.
>
> But apparently they are the minority or we wouldn't have a shrinking
> GA population.
>

I don't know if it's a minority, but it's certainly a substantial impact.

Gregg