moxiepilot
Well-Known Member
I didn't want to thread-jack, so I thought I would start a thread for this topic.
Someone posted that a CFI should never tell a student they cannot be a pilot and if they do the person shouldn't be a CFI.
I disagree.
Given enough experience teaching, I believe there comes a point where you might have worked with a student for 100 hours pre-private, and through that time may have recognized multiple reasons and behaviors that a person is inherently dangerous (to themselves or others). I believe, with prejudice and good-judgement, as well as collusion with other instructors, that there is a VERY small number of people that should be told they should not fly.
For example, in 2000 hours of teaching, I have only come across one (1) student that I recommended finding another hobby.
The background of this student was that he already racked up 350 hours with other instructors at other schools over a few years, 2 or 3 years at the most.
In those previous hours he had a major accident. The major accident scenario was that an instructor soloed him. The instructor did not endorse any other locations other than the home base of operations.
The student decided to take a plane "to the practice area" but in reality went to another airport. Because the student was not endorsed to land, he decided to do low approaches. Entry to the traffic pattern was AGAINST the flow of traffic and from the wrong side.
No radio communications were made by the pilot. When he was on final, the departure end of the runway in use, he realized a plane was taking off and performed an aborted landing, stall & spun into the ground.
The resulting crash broke his legs and caused slight brain damage (he once drooled on my desk
- physically showing a diminished motor capability.) But, more importantly, the brain damage caused seriously abnormal reactions to stress. The post crash fire consumed the aircraft.
After working with this student for about 75 hours, and other instructors at my FBO working with him for about 25-40 hours, I learned about the accident.
His trauma which affects him has never been reported on his medical. His former flight instructor was contacted by me after learning of the incident to garner additional information. I learned the student struggled with the same skills I was struggling to teach him.
Landings were not the only obstacle. Name anything in the PTS and the student could not preform it, pilotage, maneuvers. Wait. I stand corrected. The student could take off.
Long story short is that after compiling all the information to come to an informed position I discussed the options with other instructors.
At 400 hours I recommended another hobby to the student, sailing. He likes boats.
Needless to say, I don't feel an ounce of regret because of having seen how dangerous this student could potentially be to the public and himself. It probably also saved him thousands of more dollars.
As a final thought, take from the Aviation Instructors Handbook, chapter 2 -
Flight Instructor Actions Regarding Seriously Abnormal Students:
"A Flight Instructor who believes a student may be suffering from a serious psychological abnormality ha a responsibility to refrain from certifying that student."
The chapter concludes with a few other points in dealing with the situation; but, my whole point is that instructors do have an obligation to tell students they should not train, however rare the occurrence may be.
Someone posted that a CFI should never tell a student they cannot be a pilot and if they do the person shouldn't be a CFI.
I disagree.
Given enough experience teaching, I believe there comes a point where you might have worked with a student for 100 hours pre-private, and through that time may have recognized multiple reasons and behaviors that a person is inherently dangerous (to themselves or others). I believe, with prejudice and good-judgement, as well as collusion with other instructors, that there is a VERY small number of people that should be told they should not fly.
For example, in 2000 hours of teaching, I have only come across one (1) student that I recommended finding another hobby.
The background of this student was that he already racked up 350 hours with other instructors at other schools over a few years, 2 or 3 years at the most.
In those previous hours he had a major accident. The major accident scenario was that an instructor soloed him. The instructor did not endorse any other locations other than the home base of operations.
The student decided to take a plane "to the practice area" but in reality went to another airport. Because the student was not endorsed to land, he decided to do low approaches. Entry to the traffic pattern was AGAINST the flow of traffic and from the wrong side.
No radio communications were made by the pilot. When he was on final, the departure end of the runway in use, he realized a plane was taking off and performed an aborted landing, stall & spun into the ground.
The resulting crash broke his legs and caused slight brain damage (he once drooled on my desk
- physically showing a diminished motor capability.) But, more importantly, the brain damage caused seriously abnormal reactions to stress. The post crash fire consumed the aircraft.After working with this student for about 75 hours, and other instructors at my FBO working with him for about 25-40 hours, I learned about the accident.
His trauma which affects him has never been reported on his medical. His former flight instructor was contacted by me after learning of the incident to garner additional information. I learned the student struggled with the same skills I was struggling to teach him.
Landings were not the only obstacle. Name anything in the PTS and the student could not preform it, pilotage, maneuvers. Wait. I stand corrected. The student could take off.
Long story short is that after compiling all the information to come to an informed position I discussed the options with other instructors.
At 400 hours I recommended another hobby to the student, sailing. He likes boats.
Needless to say, I don't feel an ounce of regret because of having seen how dangerous this student could potentially be to the public and himself. It probably also saved him thousands of more dollars.
As a final thought, take from the Aviation Instructors Handbook, chapter 2 -
Flight Instructor Actions Regarding Seriously Abnormal Students:
"A Flight Instructor who believes a student may be suffering from a serious psychological abnormality ha a responsibility to refrain from certifying that student."
The chapter concludes with a few other points in dealing with the situation; but, my whole point is that instructors do have an obligation to tell students they should not train, however rare the occurrence may be.
