The proper way to "drop" a student?

There are times to drop students. Not everyone should be a pilot. They should have the opportunity, but it doesn't always work out. 99% of these people realize this on thier own and stop flying, but then there is that 1 %. (total this is like one in 200 students) Most realize it on thier first flight. If you get to the point where you don't feel comfortable putting your signature (ever)in thier logbook, to be the only thing left laying next to the smoking hole they are destined to leave in the ground, THEN DON'T DO IT. Yes, try everything in your power to work it out, but sometimes you can't. I actually told a student that he was going to kill himself if he didn't adjust his attitude and he adjusted his attitude, but I am now another 100 hours into his instrument and he finally is getting it. If you are reading this ...sorry :-)For this particular situation, just teach her the ground until she gets it. If she doesn'tcome prepared, just use the lesson time to read the book one line at a time. Filibuster her into studying or moving on. If she is just plain unsafe, dump her
 
I think it's completely unprofessional. That goes for any kind of leadership position, not just flight instructing.

I have to comment here. There are times that you will find yourself in leadership positions where it is necessary to "dump", fire, sever, redefine, reassign, ect. an individual. When somthing is not working I believe it is unprofessional NOT to take action and resolve the situation.

It sucks to do it, even when it is for the best. There are times ending a relationship is what is best for you, the other individual and the organazation you represent. This goes both ways as well, for an employee or student. If sonting is not working there should be open communication and if that does not fix the issue, this is the next step.

I wish you the best of luck.
 
What exactly do you not agree with?

I don't agree with the approach you take, that's why I pointed out that you are not necessarily wrong nor am I necessarily right - so you wouldn't be offended. It's just my opinion.

But, since I was up for 28 hours I needed a nap before I could respond, and MNFlyGuy pretty much summed up what I wanted to say, so read his post and pretend I wrote it. :)
 
I have to comment here. There are times that you will find yourself in leadership positions where it is necessary to "dump", fire, sever, redefine, reassign, ect. an individual. When somthing is not working I believe it is unprofessional NOT to take action and resolve the situation.

It sucks to do it, even when it is for the best. There are times ending a relationship is what is best for you, the other individual and the organazation you represent. This goes both ways as well, for an employee or student. If sonting is not working there should be open communication and if that does not fix the issue, this is the next step.

I wish you the best of luck.
That is not was I was referring to as "dumping". If you really think a student would do better with another instructor, then by all means you should refer the student to that other instructor. Thats not dumping anybody. Dumping is when you tell yourself "this guy just plain sucks, he isn't worth the bother" and telling him to go to someone else. Honestly, a lot of times this is the case. Instructors will try to convince themselves that it's the student's fault. They tell themselves "this student is just not cut out for flying", when in reality it's the instructor who is not cut out to instruct that particular person.

Imagine going into a doctor's office for a checkup and after the doctor sees you he says to himself "Oh man this guy has so much wrong with him. It'll take forever for me to sort all this stuff out. I'd rather go golfing. I'll just refer him to another doctor!". It would be one thing if the doctor referred you to another doctor who was more specialized in the area you needed treatment in, but in this case it's just plain unprofessionalism.
 
What exactly do you not agree with?

You ever watch the TV show The Wire?...
What a great show!!!!


wire1.jpg


Ok, back on topic:
If you want to deal with teenagers you have toestablish a relationship with them that is not like the same relationship you would establish with someone a little older. Most of the time there is a leadear to student relationship and it works for many people because they come with the mindset that they are here to learn from an expert. I find with teens this approach never works (try tutoring a teenager in math, we all know that is just as fun as flying). You always get better results from establishing a peer to peer relationship with them as a lubricant for the bundle of knowledge to enter their thick heads (no offense).

As for the OP's specific scenario, it might be too late to change the dynamic of the relationship, especially if there is any recent tesnions between the two of you. The only motivation you have left is grounding them because it seems that is the only incentive you can use. Say that you are comfortable with their flying but until they can improve their ground knowledge (make this part objective and measurable) then you pull their wings. I mean that's why we have the authority to endorse people in the first place. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

P.S. any pics??? ;)
 
As long as the girl doesn't flake on appointments just keep taking her $$$$$$$$. Document everything and if she complains later that she's not progressing you'll have plenty of ammo.

Fortunately/unfortunately, students at FBOs are not always as motivated as students at big academies. Not to bruise your ego but maybe you are just not that exciting of an instructor. I work with some instructors and I think to myself I'd kill myself if I had to sit in a plane with them for hours or in a class room listening to them ramble about density altitude.

As a independent CFI / working at a FBO, you really are a salesperson. If you can't "sell" them on yourself then you'll never get their attention. I have a strong sales background so I'm used to dealing with people of various backgrounds and personality types. I treat everyone differently depending on how they respond. A good teacher must find a way to reach and motivate their students.
 
her mom? is she still in high school? if so talk 1 on 1 with her mom about it, tell her she is just wasting money by not coming prepared because learning to fly isnt like learning to drive, not every one can do it, or at least not w/o some study time

Some people are not even meant to drive a car down the road. Sure they can somehow pass the exam but it's when you have driven 5 years or 75,000 miles accident free is when you can call yourself a driver.
 
Some people are not even meant to drive a car down the road. Sure they can somehow pass the exam but it's when you have driven 5 years or 75,000 miles accident free is when you can call yourself a driver.

Dammit! I guess I'm not a driver... I've driven for 10 years, put 60K miles on one car, and 50K on another, and those were just my cars.... and I've been involved in three accidents.... only one of which I was faulted for. I'm no driver. I'm a menace. I need to get off the road.
 
Next flight lesson do a couple of spins and see if she wants to come back. That usually knocks people down a few notches :panic:
 
Dammit! I guess I'm not a driver... I've driven for 10 years, put 60K miles on one car, and 50K on another, and those were just my cars.... and I've been involved in three accidents.... only one of which I was faulted for. I'm no driver. I'm a menace. I need to get off the road.

One accident which was your fault is excuseable. If all three were your fault I'd classify you in the dummy category.
 
First, talk with your boss about the situation so that if you unload on her he/she already knows what's going on if she goes knocking on thier door.

Second, I would have her fly with another instructor once or twice and get a second opinion. (not that you need one but it looks better)

Third, if she is still doing the same stuff just sit her down and be honest. In a constructive way tell her all your concerns. Say something like, "I really want you to be successful but here are some things you need to work on......"
 
That's actually really good

As for more details, I'll do my best.
  • Consistently at least 30 minutes late
  • Complains relentlessly about doing ground school
  • Never studies for lessons
  • After about 45 minutes of any flight, she always just starts zoning out (losing altitudes, missing radio calls, missing headings, etc.) and vehemently denies any lack of focus
  • Gives me attitude when I to give her constructive criticism on a maneuver, radio call, etc.
  • Shows no real initiative to progress
Umm, I think thats it.

You should just be honest with her and say these things are extremely important to piloting and you will not feel comfortable letting her solo unless they are ALL fixed. The fact is you can't put your reputation on the line for someone like this, so she's gotta go now or later. Now sounds a lot easier. She's going to kill herself.
 
Listen bro... Maybe she's rich and she's really into you! She just hopes you and your big sexy pilot buns will ask her out. Can't hurt to ask...:bandit:

She could be interviewing you for a G650 spot ("G-Spot") for all you know, get on it!
 
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