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Feature Article: Effective Criticism Requirements
1. Student/instructor awareness of what is being done wrong
2. Instructor analysis of why
3. Instructor suggests a corrective program
4. Student acceptance of the finding
It was easy to determine the previous student's problem by
observing his tension on the yoke. This was not a problem arising
from knowledge or lack of it. The problem was in the training
program itself. The student just needed to fly more frequently.
I demonstrated a complete landing circuit with emphasis on the
lightness of my yoke touch. The next student approach was still
a very tense process. The best advice is wasted if not understood
or accepted. An emotional problem is not well or easily resolved
by intellectual solutions.
Criticism should not be directed toward embarrassment, anxiety
and fear. These are typical emotions at various stages of flight
training. They do and are expected to interfere with learning,
safety and enjoyment. Expectations of success, driven by ego,
overlie the situation and the ability to exercise good judgment
deteriorates.
The active cockpit with the student in control is not the
time nor place to give instruction. However, since I always use
a tape recorder, I will be making running comments during most
flight. It is my expectation that the student will play the tapes
back and be able to associate what was happening with my comments.
Ideally an over the shoulder video would be far better. I do
not expect a student response.
There is good reason not to make more than four consecutive
landings in the same configuration and pattern. I have found
it important to vary from right to left patterns, the use of
flaps, power, and radio work. I make a practice of always requesting
the option while in the pattern. Traffic permitting this means
we can do a touch and go, stop and go, landing and taxi back,
or go-around.
For, as yet undetermined reasons, people learn differently.
While most learning is visually, there are those who learn by
hearing proportionately much better than do others. Learning
by doing is still another preferred method by others. Learning
to fly requires a judicious mix of all three. The good instructor
uses videos, tapes and flying in combination adjusted to the
needs of the student. Reading is the most economical teaching/learning
method but some do not adapt to self-instruction well.
Regardless of the student's learning preference, you should
get the student to get the information transformed into their
own words as soon as possible. Often several revisions are needed
as with checklists. I like to have students walk patterns and
maneuvers on the ground prior to flying. Some people have more
difficulty doing this than others. You never know until you try.
I insist that all of my students take a few hours of aerobatics
and a couple of sailplane flights so that they can realize the
options that exist when control or engine power becomes a problem.
Last Modified February 3, ©2026 TAGE.COM
