As with other pilots, instructors typically go through a number of stages. First there are the new instructors who are often quite tentative and unsure of themselves. They generally only get into trouble when they are caught up in the instructing process and lose track of the situation. As a group however they do not intentionally do foolish things, so are usually quite safe. From this point on the instructors generally separate into two groups, “Hot Pilots” and “Drivers”.
“Hot pilots” typically exhibit sharp flying skills, good technical expertise, and a strong denial of hazard (“The most dangerous part is the trip to the airport”). Sometimes they let their students hang out on the edge a bit, boldly going where no instructor has gone before.. They feel that there is nothing that students can do that they cannot correct. On the other hand, “Drivers” tend to limit the range of their instruction and may often limit the conditions they fly in. They are confident and generally competent when they stick within their self-imposed limitations. They can be surprised when conditions change and they get in over their heads. The hope is that things change for both groups, after they have accumulated some experience. What is desired is that they:
- Recognize that there are limitations in themselves, the aircraft, and the environment.
- Realize that complacency can be a problem.
- Understand that there are hazards, and that realistic measures should be taken to cope with them.
This is the beginning of the development of a mature attitude. Hot pilots must realize that they cannot recover from every situation by the application of skill. The drivers must realize that when they narrow down their world it has a way of expanding to meet them on occasion. What both should strive to become are “Seasoned Professionals”. These pilots realize that you can do everything right and still be wrong. Despite this they still strive to expand their knowledge and skills, so the right resources can be marshalled when necessary. They take care to execute the simplest most direct actions and pass on this philosophy to their students. They are not afraid of the unknown but are not reckless in seeking it. May we all become seasoned professionals quickly.
While this is the general trend followed by instructors, as with students there are specific paths and techniques that can be followed to provide superior instruction. For want of a better term we can call this Judgement Instructing. Following the normal judgement training we will consider the pilot, the aircraft, the environment, and the situation.