Not all GA flying is recreational or for fun, then come the times when the weather won't do what the forecasters tell it to.
Not all GA flying is recreational or for fun, then come the times when the weather won't do what the forecasters tell it to.
Yes we are aware not all GA flying is for fun etc, but looking at the accident reports, it's obvious many of the other types should have stayed on the ground as well. Especially those with low instrument time who fly into bad weather, or even some with high time.
Apparently those in the accident reports did not have a plan. If so, best to stay on terra firma.There is always definitely a time to stay on the ground if the choice is available, that's for sure. When you get caught in the air and have no choice, it's good to have a plan.
. I am now on my 4th that wants every landing a "10" in adverse conditions such as x-winds at 18 gusting to 23 at a 60 degree angle with dust devils. Very tough but I got each landing down on the ground without any trouble. He says that I have a knack of making a good landing from a bad approach. I'm reaching my 60th birthday and will be going to my second medical next week. Due to my approaches he won't let me go past pattern work. Maneuvers are no problem. I'm worried due to my age, that I won't be able to get my license because there will always be something to criticize and give reason not to sign me off for the check ride. Any thoughts?
A couple of instructors allowed me to crab on final and clean it up right before flare which I seem to prefer, however my current instructor is requiring me to slip all the way to landing. He says that he wants me to be comfortable with all 4 inputs and correct as necessary. In the slip configuration, I always seem to drift in ground effect when I'm slow and find that I can't give enough aileron with corrective rudder to get it back on center. I get it down well in the flare, but frequently in strong x-wind situations, I end up on the side of the center line instead.
IMO he shouldn't force you to slip every time. He should be teaching you different techniques and not just the way HE prefers. There are often multiple ways to accomplish a task and (as long as it's safe and within standards) it should be your preference.Yes my CFI has given critiques, mainly airspeed and altitude on approach. I end up with strong updrafts or downdrafts or in some cases wind shear, and I have been flying in heavy turbulence with the airspeed indicator fluctuating 15 knots, which makes it hard to get an average airspeed. I understand that he is trying to make me proficient in adverse conditions to make me a safer pilot, but sometimes I get discouraged, because he said that an instructor will always push the student farther then their comfort zone to make progress.
A couple of instructors allowed me to crab on final and clean it up right before flare which I seem to prefer, however my current instructor is requiring me to slip all the way to landing. He says that he wants me to be comfortable with all 4 inputs and correct as necessary. In the slip configuration, I always seem to drift in ground effect when I'm slow and find that I can't give enough aileron with corrective rudder to get it back on center. I get it down well in the flare, but frequently in strong x-wind situations, I end up on the side of the center line instead.
There are good barbers and not so good barbers... The ability to teach is a talent that not everyone can master... In my pursuit of my license I had 5 instructors, and since then I've run into more bad ones than good ones... It is not only the instructor, it is your mutual compatibility, just as in any other relationship that will determine a good or bad fit. I have one suggestion that is probably not going to go over very well here... Find a female instructor... I've had more success with them... Not sure why...
At the risk of starting the gender bias argument again....most female CFIs I've met don't have the same level of "do it my way" of the male CFIs. They're also much more amenable to discussion and working with the student's level of comfort.
At the risk of starting the gender bias argument again....most female CFIs I've met don't have the same level of "do it my way" of the male CFIs. They're also much more amenable to discussion and working with the student's level of comfort.
I haven't monitored this thread for over a month and appreciate all your helpful suggestions. I have just changed my settings to get notifications from now on so I don't miss anything. I am amazed that a lot of you have gone thru similar struggles.
By continuing training in gusty conditions my CFI said that my landings are good now but my approach needs work. He said I'm the first he has met that can nail the landings but can't hold the approach speeds. I back it off to 1500 at the numbers, maintain altitude until the top of the white arc, add 10 degrees of flaps and trim while aiming for 80kts, 75 on base with 20 degrees flaps and 65 on final with 30 degrees of flaps. He wants me to hold the speeds "on the mark". Being 5kts off is unacceptable! Unless I'm landing with my airspeed indicator covered, then no more than 5kts off. I read in AOPA Training that two turns of trim after slowing to 80kts helps. I usually just take the pressure off once my flaps are in and when at 80kts. Can anyone else back that up?
He says that I have a knack of making a good landing from a bad approach.