Cut ties and go with Part 141 school?

[J.G.]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for varying opinions but especially look to hearing from those who have been in a similar situation.

I'm a high hour student (60?) I've gone to 2 flight schools and have had 3 instructors.

Instructor 1: Didn't have time to schedule me regularly, so I switched schools. (Towered airport).

Instructor 2: Was fine, but for some reason I lost skills during this time period. I'm blaming myself for that. Though I knew that starting out at a non-towered airfield wasn't for me. I like the structure.(Non towered airport).

Instructor 3: Same school. New instructor. At a towered Class D airport. I picked my skills back up and have improved greatly even by his words. If there's something to improve on, I improve. By the same lesson or the next.

I'm confident in my skills, and at this point would feel way more comfortable alone.

I asked 2 weeks ago when I can solo, I was told when I had good landings that weren't too high. In the past 4 or 5 lessons. I fixed that. There was one so smooth today it was like butter. You couldn't even tell when the wheels hit the ground.

Now today was with another instructor who gave me some pointers on flying in bad weather (had extremely low visibility on base and final due to rain and fog.)

I feel more than ready. I literally verbally talk through each step so that my CFI can see that I'm not winging it, I understand and know what I should be doing.

I really and truly want to get him out of that plane so I can feel comfortable being in there by myself. Odd, but in situations that have the potential to be stressful, I have always felt more comfortable and confident alone when I knew I could handle the situation. This is one of those times.

If he doesn't let me solo in one of the 3 lessons I have this week. Should I chuck it and start over at a 141 school? I really hate to have wasted all of this time and effort, but it's better than being given the run around.

If I do solo this week should I still move to a 141 to finish off my rating?

For background I'm a whole grown woman in her 40s that's been in scarier situations (namely in the Middle East) than flying around a Class D airport in the pattern a few times.

At this point I'm frustrated, annoyed and feeling like I'm being held back for no good reason. However I know that I'm not a CFI and I'm seeing only my side of this equation.

Thoughts?

Suggestions?


Background:

I came to this school with about 15 hours.

I came to this instructor with about 35 hours.

My bad pilot trait is probably anti-authority, but I've been working on that since I started.

I know I'm not invincible and my goal is ALWAYS safety, both for myself, passenger and people on the ground.

I have no specific plans once I have my VFR certification, but the goal is IFR, taildragger, Aerobatic, Multi-Engine, Commercial in that order.

My current career is good enough that if I ever decided to go to the airlines it will be for the enjoyment of doing something new and love of flying.

That's it. Tell me what you think.

Thanks.

 

[Dana]

It sounds like for whatever reason, your instructor doesn't think you're ready to solo. You need to talk to him about it.

 

[J.G.]

It sounds like for whatever reason, your instructor doesn't think you're ready to solo. You need to talk to him about it.

I agree. And I have and fixed what's he's told me to fix.
I've texted him and plan on having a face-to-face this coming week.

I'm really trying to figure out if I'm wasting my time here. I don't know enough about this industry to decide if I should move along here and stay with him or continue on this path somewhere else. (Different school entirely. Which I don't want to do, but will if it makes sense.)

 

[Albany Tom]

I'm going to guess here. You're smart, driven, and like to push the envelope. All great qualities for success. But... Failing when flying an aircraft is different than failing in most other areas in life. The goal isn't to get through the scary situations here, it's to have them not be scary...and by that I don't mean you, I mean the instructor. As an example, the goal isn't so much great landings as it is having the approach setup, almost every time, to the point that you pretty much can't avoid safely landing. And to know when you're not setup right how to safely, every time, know how to go around.

Depending on how long your lessons are spread out, 60 hours isn't a lot. My final bit of advice, don't rush yourself, be patient, it'll fall into place. Well, almost final advice. Discussing things with a CFI is fine. Arguing with them maybe not so much. It's their job to keep you from killing yourself and/or destroying an aircraft. They know more about this than you do. I don't mean that as harsh, just a level set to the admitted attitude. I'm not much on authority myself, but try to recognize people better skilled or knowledgeable than I.

Not a cfi, just somebody that sometimes flies planes, and that took a while to get my 3 point landings right. I joke that it took me 1200 landings to solo...but kidding aside it was probably a couple of hundred, and there's more to flying than landing.

 

[kmacht]

Your instructor isn't looking for your ability to make a good landing. What he is looking for is that your landings are always consistent. Consistantly having mediocre landings means he can trust what will happen when he isn't in the cockpit. Having a perfect landing is nice but how are all the others? Do you know why the 1 landing you had the other day was so good compared to others and what you did differently? Could you do 3 or 4 more in a row right after it with the exact same result?

 

[J.G.]

I'm going to guess here. You're smart, driven, and like to push the envelope. All great qualities for success. But... Failing when flying an aircraft is different than failing in most other areas in life. The goal isn't to get through the scary situations here, it's to have them not be scary...and by that I don't mean you, I mean the instructor. As an example, the goal isn't so much great landings as it is having the approach setup, almost every time, to the point that you pretty much can't avoid safely landing. And to know when you're not setup right how to safely, every time, know how to go around.

Depending on how long your lessons are spread out, 60 hours isn't a lot. My final bit of advice, don't rush yourself, be patient, it'll fall into place. Well, almost final advice. Discussing things with a CFI is fine. Arguing with them maybe not so much. It's their job to keep you from killing yourself and/or destroying an aircraft. They know more about this than you do. I don't mean that as harsh, just a level set to the admitted attitude. I'm not much on authority myself, but try to recognize people better skilled or knowledgeable than I.

Not a cfi, just somebody that sometimes flies planes, and that took a while to get my 3 point landings right. I joke that it took me 1200 landings to solo...but kidding aside it was probably a couple of hundred, and there's more to flying than landing.

Thank you. This is definitely something to think about. Much appreciated.

 

[J.G.]

Your instructor isn't looking for your ability to make a good landing. What he is looking for is that your landings are always consistent. Consistantly having mediocre landings means he can trust what will happen when he isn't in the cockpit. Having a perfect landing is nice but how are all the others? Do you know why the 1 landing you had the other day was so good compared to others and what you did differently? Could you do 3 or 4 more in a row right after it with the exact same result?

Very helpful insight. I'll think about this.

My landings have been good, but that one was sweet. I do feel I could replicate it, because landings have become more...instinctive (perhaps not the right word) in the past few weeks. It went from "I think I can do this well, to I know I can do this well.

But you're right, a more consistent pattern of great landings I'm sure would allow him more confidence in my abilities.

 

[murphey]

Moving to a 141 will not solve the problems and will cost even more money. Everyone teaches to the same material - the FAA's ACS. If the CFI doesn't feel you are consistent in all aspects of the ACS, that's the discussion. Which areas, and how to address them. If you don't have a copy of the ACS, here's the link:

https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs

The many syllabi, both 61 and 141 have "expected" hours to complete the various learning tasks. As someone who's both an engineer and been teaching adults for decades (computer science) that's rubbish. People learn differently. People master the skills differently. Go thru the ACS and ask yourself if you believe you satisfy the level of each task.

 

[J.G.]

Moving to a 141 will not solve the problems and will cost even more money. Everyone teaches to the same material - the FAA's ACS. If the CFI doesn't feel you are consistent in all aspects of the ACS, that's the discussion. Which areas, and how to address them. If you don't have a copy of the ACS, here's the link:

https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs

The many syllabi, both 61 and 141 have "expected" hours to complete the various learning tasks. As someone who's both an engineer and been teaching adults for decades (computer science) that's rubbish. People learn differently. People master the skills differently. Go thru the ACS and ask yourself if you believe you satisfy the level of each task.

Very good points. Thank you.

I've gone over the ACS standards in the past but I'll do it again, and ask my instructor where I am lacking.

 

[Anthem]

i will go further. Your instructor isnt looking for one good landing. he/she is looking that you wont make one bad landing, or put yourself in any danger (too slow, too tight, whatever). So when its consistent, and he feels its safe for you to solo - then they solo you. But you could have 5 greased landings, but you got too slow one time on final, or you ballooned too much or whatever that could potentially be dangerous and he wont sign you off. Its not about - oh I've got this. Its about you showing him and he feeling good enough about your skills to safely have you solo.

 

[dmspilot]

You're going to have to ask your instructor for more specific criteria that you have to meet to solo. "Good landings that aren't too high" is not only vague, but also makes it sound like most of your landings have some fundamental flaw. There could be other problems that he's not telling you about that he hopes will improve with experience, like radio work, situational awareness or traffic pattern precision and consistency (just to name some examples; not saying these may be factors in your case). If you don't get a good answer, I'd change instructors, but probably not schools. Part 141 isn't going to do anything for you.

 

[mandm]

Part 141 is structured and fast and if you cannot keep up, then you’ve paid and you won’t receive anything.

 

[J.G.]

Part 141 is structured and fast and if you cannot keep up, then you’ve paid and you won’t receive anything.

I have no doubts whatsoever that I could keep up with a 141. Unless it can compare with working 12-16 hour days while studying for 2 Masters degrees, I'd be fine.

 

[Matthew]

Landings are just one part of being released to solo: decision making, attitude, and control of the airplane in the rest of the traffic pattern have as much a part as being able to make a nice landing.

 

[J.G.]

Landings are just one part of being released to solo: decision making, attitude, and control of the airplane in the rest of the traffic pattern have as much a part as being able to make a nice landing.

That I do well and have for a while. Not by my opinion but my CFIs. Hence my frustration.

 

[Matthew]

That I do well and have for a while. Not by my opinion but my CFIs. Hence my frustration.

Don’t focus on it. There’s plenty else to learn and it happens when it happens.

 

[J.G.]

You're going to have to ask your instructor for more specific criteria that you have to meet to solo. "Good landings that aren't too high" is not only vague, but also makes it sound like most of your landings have some fundamental flaw. There could be other problems that he's not telling you about that he hopes will improve with experience, like radio work, situational awareness or traffic pattern precision and consistency (just to name some examples; not saying these may be factors in your case). If you don't get a good answer, I'd change instructors, but probably not schools. Part 141 isn't going to do anything for you.

I agree. We're going to talk this week. I do well with what he tells me to, and correct quickly when he tells me to. So we need to have a discussion as soon as possible, which is early this week.

 

[J.G.]

i will go further. Your instructor isnt looking for one good landing. he/she is looking that you wont make one bad landing, or put yourself in any danger (too slow, too tight, whatever). So when its consistent, and he feels its safe for you to solo - then they solo you. But you could have 5 greased landings, but you got too slow one time on final, or you ballooned too much or whatever that could potentially be dangerous and he wont sign you off. Its not about - oh I've got this. Its about you showing him and he feeling good enough about your skills to safely have you solo.

Hopefully between our discussion and the lessons he'll feel that way in the next week.

 

[mandm]

I have no doubts whatsoever that I could keep up with a 141. Unless it can compare with working 12-16 hour days while studying for 2 Masters degrees, I'd be fine.

Going to school is easy, you get the book read study blah. Part 141 you need to be a step ahead before you begin. If you think it’s for you then go for it, or just get another instructor or talk to your instructor about your concerns. Communicate. Nothing wrong with building hours early on especially if you think you have good knowledge on other stuff. Don’t rush it.

 

[FancyG]

I went through several unsatisfactory instructors - - fresh from puppy mill/substance abuser/overworked bundle of nerves 4pt checklist guy/incompetent hick, and almost gave up.

Finished up with a 75yo lifetime pilot who 'can teach a monkey to fly if he can get it to pay attention'. If you change instructors, find the crustiest old one you can.

There's no replacement for experience and if they're that age kerosene fever has passed they by. They're instructing for love of the game.

 

[J.G.]

Going to school is easy, you get the book read study blah. Part 141 you need to be a step ahead before you begin. If you think it’s for you then go for it, or just get another instructor or talk to your instructor about your concerns. Communicate. Nothing wrong with building hours early on especially if you think you have good knowledge on other stuff. Don’t rush it.

Thank you. I have spoken to him and will do so again, which is really the best thing to do at this point.

That doesn't phase me. I can assure you, being two steps ahead when studying for an advanced STEM degree is challenging and you have to basically know what you're doing or you will fail. However I don't want to start from the beginning and waste more money. So I'll go with Step 1 first.

When you mention building hours early on, do you mean in general, or with the thought of going to the airlines? Because the latter really isn't my goal, it sounds like a very cool experience, but I like my current line of work.

Is just having a lot of hours for the experience in general helpful at this point?

 

[J.G.]

I went through several unsatisfactory instructors - - fresh from puppy mill/substance abuser/overworked bundle of nerves 4pt checklist guy/incompetent hick, and almost gave up.

Finished up with a 75yo lifetime pilot who 'can teach a monkey to fly if he can get it to pay attention'. If you change instructors, find the crustiest old one you can.

There's no replacement for experience and if they're that age kerosene fever has passed they by. They're instructing for love of the game.

Thank you. I truly appreciate hearing the opposite end of this concern. I do have a new friend that teaches who does it because he enjoys it, however he's not at the airport I prefer to train at (a lot farther away.)

Decisions, decisions. First I'll have another (deeper) conversation and see what the outcome is. Perhaps he and I are unwittingly on two different pages and have not realized it.

 

[SkyChaser]

First, I have four questions.
1. How old is your instructor?
2.Why do you think you know more than him about when you should solo?
3. Why were you so uncomfortable at an untowered airport?
4. In what ways has your anti-authority stance manifested to your CFI?

Flight training is nothing like working while studying for master's degrees. Just because you excelled at that does not translate to expected excellence in flight lessons. Erase that thought from your mind. It will make it super easy to ace the written, but other than that, one is bookwork and the other is physical skill and muscle memory. Those are two very different things.

If you would feel more comfortable being fully responsible for the plane, act like it. Pretend your CFI is just a passenger. You can even ask him to act like one. You may discover that you're not as good as you expected or your CFI may see that your PIC skills and your flying skills are up to snuff and cut you loose. Either way, it's good for you.

One more thought for you - at 60 hours, I would expect you to know exactly what was wrong with your landings, if not how to fix at least some of them. When solo, you have to not only be good at doing the right thing, you also have to be good at identifying when stuff is wrong and being proactive about fixing it. Overconfidence when flying kills.

 

[J.G.]

Some really good thoughts for self-reflection here...thanks!

1. Early 20s

2. Good question. Confidence in what I've done and my abilities. He knows way more about flying without dispute, but I know me, and know when I shifted from what I wasn't comfortable with to when I was.

3. I should clarify, not so much an un-towered but THAT un-towered. Even from very experienced pilots that fly it regularly, it's called the "wild west" and has had a particularly awful accident a few years ago, by very experienced pilots. The two closest airports to me are towered and I have enjoyed that experience more in both instances.

I also like having another level of eyes as my trainer doesn't have ADS-B in an out, and we don't carry a separate device.

4. I try not to let it, but I have always unwittingly "fought" for controls. Again, not on purpose, I wouldn't do that. Some would also say that my asking for fuller explanations on why things are done a certain way "anti-authority" but I ask for the sake of knowledge, not challenge. I also talk to the mechanics about engines. I enjoy learning.

Regarding school. I might have to see for myself one day. A 141 sounds like a tough and interesting challenge.

Regarding being fully responsible. I do, and he does. He'll say "pretend I'm not here", or "you know you're fine if I don't say anything." And he won't say anything.

Regarding identifying what I'm doing wrong, I do that too and immediately correct. He's positively commented on that. Which leads me to my initial question of "when", which at this point I realize only he can answer.

First, I have four questions.
1. How old is your instructor?
2.Why do you think you know more than him about when you should solo?
3. Why were you so uncomfortable at an untowered airport?
4. In what ways has your anti-authority stance manifested to your CFI?

Flight training is nothing like working while studying for master's degrees. Just because you excelled at that does not translate to expected excellence in flight lessons. Erase that thought from your mind. It will make it super easy to ace the written, but other than that, one is bookwork and the other is physical skill and muscle memory. Those are two very different things.

If you would feel more comfortable being fully responsible for the plane, act like it. Pretend your CFI is just a passenger. You can even ask him to act like one. You may discover that you're not as good as you expected or your CFI may see that your PIC skills and your flying skills are up to snuff and cut you loose. Either way, it's good for you.

One more thought for you - at 60 hours, I would expect you to know exactly what was wrong with your landings, if not how to fix at least some of them. When solo, you have to not only be good at doing the right thing, you also have to be good at identifying when stuff is wrong and being proactive about fixing it. Overconfidence when flying kills.

First, I have four questions.
1. How old is your instructor?
2.Why do you think you know more than him about when you should solo?
3. Why were you so uncomfortable at an untowered airport?
4. In what ways has your anti-authority stance manifested to your CFI?

Flight training is nothing like working while studying for master's degrees. Just because you excelled at that does not translate to expected excellence in flight lessons. Erase that thought from your mind. It will make it super easy to ace the written, but other than that, one is bookwork and the other is physical skill and muscle memory. Those are two very different things.

If you would feel more comfortable being fully responsible for the plane, act like it. Pretend your CFI is just a passenger. You can even ask him to act like one. You may discover that you're not as good as you expected or your CFI may see that your PIC skills and your flying skills are up to snuff and cut you loose. Either way, it's good for you.

One more thought for you - at 60 hours, I would expect you to know exactly what was wrong with your landings, if not how to fix at least some of them. When solo, you have to not only be good at doing the right thing, you also have to be good at identifying when stuff is wrong and being proactive about fixing it. Overconfidence when flying kills.

 

[FancyG]

Thank you. I truly appreciate hearing the opposite end of this concern. I do have a new friend that teaches who does it because he enjoys it, however he's not at the airport I prefer to train at (a lot farther away.)

Decisions, decisions. First I'll have another (deeper) conversation and see what the outcome is. Perhaps he and I are unwittingly on two different pages and have not realized it.

I live in a rural area with few flight instruction options. Incompetent Hick was 15 minutes away, the others 45+ mins, and the real deal guy is 1:15 away.

Hopefully you have more local options, but aviation is a small world, often with few choices in an area. I used the drive to prepare for the lesson and as a debrief.

When we had to cancel flying for wind/mx/wx I used that appointment for ground and chair-flew with the instructor. It helped me tremendously to talk through scenarios with the instructor, where I could think about the process without the task saturation of flying the plane.

 

[J.G.]

I live in a rural area with few flight instruction options. Incompetent Hick was 15 minutes away, the others 45+ mins, and the real deal guy is 1:15 away.

Hopefully you have more local options, but aviation is a small world, often with few choices in an area. I used the drive to prepare for the lesson and as a debrief.

When we had to cancel flying for wind/mx/wx I used that appointment for ground and chair-flew with the instructor. It helped me tremendously to talk through scenarios with the instructor, where I could think about the process without the task saturation of flying the plane.

Thank you!

Good point. Sometimes the best answer isn't the most convenient.

I really like the thought of chair flying with the instructor! He's not really one for a lot of ground, and in fairness it's because I've went through it before him.

But I'm going to bring that up, because it would be helpful in helping me to correct whatever his cause for concern is at this point.

 

[FancyG]

Some really good thoughts for self-reflection here...thanks!

1. Early 20s

I got my private at 44. One of the things I realized with instructors is - would I pay to seek this person out to teach me to drive at $300/hr?

The problem with being a middle-aged student is that I suspended too much disbelief and didn't realize that most young instructors with kerosene fever are not all that great instructors and are building time to advance their careers.

They're building time on your dime. The more of your dimes, the closer they get to a regional job.

If I'd started with the 75 yo instructor that's seen it all before I was born, it would have hacked 30+ hours of training out of my ppl.

 

[J.G.]

I live in a rural area with few flight instruction options. Incompetent Hick was 15 minutes away, the others 45+ mins, and the real deal guy is 1:15 away.

Hopefully you have more local options, but aviation is a small world, often with few choices in an area. I used the drive to prepare for the lesson and as a debrief.

When we had to cancel flying for wind/mx/wx I used that appointment for ground and chair-flew with the instructor. It helped me tremendously to talk through scenarios with the instructor, where I could think about the process without the task saturation of flying the plane.

I do have other local options (45 minutes and less). I'd like for this to work for the sake consistency and not burning bridges. I think he's a good instructor but well...I'd like to progress, and if that means change, it's what I'll do.

 

[J.G.]

@FancyG
That's a good question. No, for driving I wouldn't. Not because I don't think he's good, but I'd want someone whose done this longer if that were the case.

What is kerosene fever exactly? Burning time for the regionals? If so I know that is definitely his goal, but it's a long way away for him (hours) so he'll be around a while.

I have to say that if I'd gone with my friend. (Didn't know him at the time.) I do think I would have been done, but one lives and learns.

This whole experience has been interesting and more frustrating than I would have thought lol, but I've learned so much, not just about flying, but about myself and it's been useful.

 

[Clip4]

If you go to a 141 school only 15 of your 60 hours (25%) maybe credited to their curriculum.

141.77 (c) A student may be given credit towards the curriculum requirements of a course for previous training under the following conditions:

(4) If the student completed a knowledge test that was conducted by the receiving pilot school and the previous training was received from other than a part 141- or a part 142-approved aeronautical knowledge training course, the credit is limited to not more than 25 percent of the aeronautical knowledge training requirements of the curriculum.

 

[J.G.]

If you go to a 141 school only 15 of your 60 hours (25%) maybe credited to their curriculum.

141.77 (c) A student may be given credit towards the curriculum requirements of a course for previous training under the following conditions:

(4) If the student completed a knowledge test that was conducted by the receiving pilot school and the previous training was received from other than a part 141- or a part 142-approved aeronautical knowledge training course, the credit is limited to not more than 25 percent of the aeronautical knowledge training requirements of the curriculum.

Thank you. That information is helpful.

 

[PaulS]

You need 3 or 4 landings over 2 lessons where he is a passenger on landings, not telling what to do or correct. You need to have demonstrated you’ll save yourself with a go around.

you need to do this stuff without being prompted. You might be too confident for your abilities.

Towered, non towered, windy, calm doesn’t matter, you need to show you can handle it.

 

[Dana]

I do well with what he tells me to, and correct quickly when he tells me to.

You have to correct quickly BEFORE he tells you to.

I can assure you, being two steps ahead when studying for an advanced STEM degree is challenging and you have to basically know what you're doing or you will fail.

It's not the same thing (from somebody who learned to fly while earning an engineering degree). Being good at studying and memorizing technical detail is one thing, but feeling what the airplane is doing and reacting appropriately in real time is quite another. It's not like a textbook, where you can read the paragraph or calculation over and over again until you get it. You need to relax and listen to what the airplane is telling you.

I'm guessing, too, that you're the kind of student that the instructor had to remind more than a few times to "get your head out of the cockpit", i.e. look outside and not at the instruments.

I'm not a CFI, but I've heard from more than a few CFIs that the worst students are intelligent successful professionals whose technical skills have let them rise to a high level in their careers with relative ease... and then have trouble with learning something completely new where their superior technical ability isn't what's required.

And forget the 141 school. They exist primarily to get money from GI bill and other students whose financing requires such a specific structured program, and undergraduate colleges who want to add flight training as a for-credit course.

 

[dmspilot]

If you go to a 141 school only 15 of your 60 hours (25%) maybe credited to their curriculum.

141.77 (c) A student may be given credit towards the curriculum requirements of a course for previous training under the following conditions:

(4) If the student completed a knowledge test that was conducted by the receiving pilot school and the previous training was received from other than a part 141- or a part 142-approved aeronautical knowledge training course, the credit is limited to not more than 25 percent of the aeronautical knowledge training requirements of the curriculum.

Are you sure it's 25% of 60?

 

[4RNB]

I had a lot of frustration in my training. IFR especially, and I started disagreeing with the CFII at times. I purchased a Cloud Ahoy subscription and debriefed myself at home. It allowed me to fly again at home as an observer and see computer grades of my landings. Bumps and smoothness at the end likely not graded, but everything else is. I'd suggest that most students could benefit from this.

60 hours, I'd need to be open that perhaps I was the problem.

I'm at 220 hours, and the amount that I do not know is worlds larger than what I do know.

35 day free trial: https://www.cloudahoy.com/product.php
I'd suggest pro
Example:

Best debrief with good data input, check out what is required.

 

[J.G.]

You need 3 or 4 landings over 2 lessons where he is a passenger on landings, not telling what to do or correct. You need to have demonstrated you’ll dave yourself with a go around.

you need to do this stuff without being prompted. You might be too confident for your abilities.

Towered non towered, windy, calm doesn’t matter, you need to show you can handle it.

Good points thanks.

 

[J.G.]

You have to correct quickly BEFORE he tells you to.



It's not the same thing (from somebody who learned to fly while earning an engineering degree). Being good at studying and memorizing technical detail is one thing, but feeling what the airplane is doing and reacting appropriately in real time is quite another. It's not like a textbook, where you can read the paragraph or calculation over and over again until you get it. You need to relax and listen to what the airplane is telling you.

I'm guessing, too, that you're the kind of student that the instructor had to remind more than a few times to "get your head out of the cockpit", i.e. look outside and not at the instruments.

I'm not a CFI, but I've heard from more than a few CFIs that the worst students are intelligent successful professionals whose technical skills have let them rise to a high level in their careers with relative ease... and then have trouble with learning something completely new where their superior technical ability isn't what's required.

And forget the 141 school. They exist primarily to get money from GI bill and other students whose financing requires such a specific structured program, and undergraduate colleges who want to add flight training as a for-credit course.

Thanks for your insight.

Good to know about 141s. I do self-correct, I was stating that I do correct in showing that I pay attention to what's being said. However I certainly aim to do more self-correcting as I am to become a better pilot.

I'm pretty good and not becoming fixated on any one thing, and have never been stuck looking at my instruments.

 

[J.G.]

Very useful! Thank you! I'll check into that this morning.

Eta: Oh wow. I love that. That's the kind of insight I enjoy digging into and the details that I want in order to improve. Thanks again!

I had a lot of frustration in my training. IFR especially, and I started disagreeing with the CFII at times. I purchased a Cloud Ahoy subscription and debriefed myself at home. It allowed me to fly again at home as an observer and see computer grades of my landings. Bumps and smoothness at the end likely not graded, but everything else is. I'd suggest that most students could benefit from this.

60 hours, I'd need to be open that perhaps I was the problem.

I'm at 220 hours, and the amount that I do not know is worlds larger than what I do know.

35 day free trial: https://www.cloudahoy.com/product.php
I'd suggest pro
Example:

Best debrief with good data input, check out what is required.

 

[Vance Breese]

When I endorse a learner for solo flight I spend a lot of time wondering if they have learned from their mistakes or if they will return to the hazardous behavior when I am not there to restore the aircraft to controlled flight.

It is not unusual for a learner to underestimate how close to a non-recoverable event we were because of the apparent ease with which I fixed it.

It appears to me your flight instructor feels you are not ready to solo.

Are you having fun learning to fly?

Why are you in such a hurry to solo?

I feel many learners are soloed prematurely and it often leads to accidents.

I feel solo flight is an important part of the process of learning to be a pilot and my learning accelerated with solo flight.

Good communication is an important part of flight instruction and it appears to me one of you isn’t doing it well.

If you change flight instructors your new instructor will need to see you do all the things detailed in § 61.87 and you likely will have more limitations on your solo endorsement.

I wish you fun and success on your aviation adventure.

 

[Tools]

Young not life experienced instructors are usually VERY at odds with older anti social (anti authority) types.

You need an instructor who can differentiate that from your flying skills. Most likely, as mentioned, some crusty old fart… but not necessarily.

I have actually seen this quite a bit.

Find that instructor, and you’ll know where you really stand. Almost certainly an independent. As a guy who created and runs a 141, I doubt that’s your likely solution.

I soloed a guy once in ONE flight, this same situation. That being said, I have no idea if that could apply to you. I also have a student who will possibly NEVER solo. We just keep flying. One day may work on landings…