Sunday, October 3, 2010

Self Criticism

If I had a criticism about myself, I would say that I talk too little. Some instructors talk too much. One instructor I had didnt talk too much, but rather spoke at the wrong times.

As we were about to do a maneuver like landing practice, right as I was about to take corrective action the instructor would blurt out "add power" or "correct heading". I would compensate for the instructor making those comments by trying to make the correction a little earlier than I would have normally just so I could be ahead of the instructor - prompting more questioning.

So, I need to improve on verbalizing a little more. I like to see if the student will make the correction themselves, but I need to recognize that if the student is not making the correction after a couple of times, I need to speak up.

One of the things I don't do enough of is demonstrations. The first time or two a maneuver is introduced, it is demonstrated, but after a certain amount of practice that demonstration is usually a forgotten zap between the synapses of their brain.

Time and time again when working with a student, I will find myself continually coaching and verbally correcting, but once I do a demo, a break through normally happens. This not only gives the student a little break, but allows the instructor to fly a little bit. All kidding aside, it takes the pressure off of the student for a little while so that they can focus on what you are actually saying rather than responding like a robot and not really listening. A picture is worth a thousand words and when a student observes the correct way to perform a maneuver, it usually clicks.