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Hambone
Joined: 07 Jan 2011
Posts: 67
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:34 am Post subject: Flying 'chase' for student solo rides |
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As a prospective CFIS with zero civilian CFI experience, I have some ideas (both good and bad!) from my experience as a military instructor pilot.
As there are no two-seat A-10s, the student's first ride is solo! However, the instructor is chasing him/her in another A-10 in a loose formation.
Although this would not replace two-seat LSA instruction, does this practice merit any benefit in the sport pilot instructional world? I can envision a student who is ready to solo or fly cross-country, but could benefit from the confidence of his instructor being a few hundred feet away. Obviously, cost is one negative consideration. |
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Helen
Joined: 23 Apr 2007
Posts: 119
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:17 am Post subject: |
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I wouldn't do it. I think think it would distract the student and also take away from the confidence building aspect and purpose of solo flight. It means a lot to student when you sign their log book and send them out by themself for for the first time signifying that you trust them on their own with this responsibility.
I take it that you are saying that the military does this? I'm guessing that the military's planes are a good deal faster than an LSA or GA plane with less options to put down. In actuality its really pretty hard for a student to get herself in trouble if the CFI has thought out where she is sending her and and especially if she has been taught flight following. For example, I send my students towards airports near the ocean (pretty hard to miss the Atlantic Ocean if you go to far) that were former WWII bases (think giant crossing runways) and have good radar coverage with not-so-busy controllers along the way happy to give flight following (and vectors if needed) to a student pilot. Of course, I don't tell my students that I've picked such a student-proof destination. To the contrary, they typically comment about how I picked such a hard place for them to find because the landmarks were small or hard to select and "know" I must consider them to be a great navigator if I'm sending them someplace that difficult on their first solo flight!
Solo flight in my mind is all about building the student's confidence while also providing large margins of safety to protect both the student and the instructor.
Helen |
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Hambone
Joined: 07 Jan 2011
Posts: 67
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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Oops... this thread should probably be in Instructors' Corner.
Perhaps an administrator would be kind enough to move it. |
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jeepinbanditrider
Joined: 17 Mar 2011
Posts: 21
Location: T67
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| Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:51 am Post subject: |
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| IMO the student is the one with the money. If they are willing to pay for basically time on two planes AND an instructor why not let them have it. Seems really expensive though. |
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ming1000
Joined: 26 Jun 2010
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:27 pm Post subject: Different bussiness |
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| IMHO, any A-10 "student" pilot has at least 250+ hours in his/her belt, moreover, they've already learnt how to fly in basic formation. |
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