Congrats T.

JOhnH

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
May 20, 2009
Messages
14,159
Location
Florida
Display Name

Display name:
Right Seater
This thread is for all the older pilots that want to give up.

My best friend's wife (whom I will only refer to as "T") decided a little over a year ago to get her pilots license. Before that, she wouldn't even go up with him in their Diamond until the youngest kid graduated college.

Today, after 100 hours, and 3 different CFIs (which I think explains a lot of the 100 hours) T soloed! She is 60 years old. She was about to give up after the 2nd instructor wouldn't let her solo. My friend (her husband) insisted she try another instructor. BAM. He explained things in a way she could understand and now she is on her way.
 
Congrats to T ,the CFIs where probably single ,and didn't understand middle aged women.
 
Very Cool! Hope she continues to get her rating.
 
Congrats to T ,the CFIs where probably single ,and didn't understand middle aged women.
Or they just weren't good at instructing. Marital status has little to do with the ability to connect to your student.

I'm sure you were just making a joke, but there seems to be a presumption among some in GA that instructing a female student is some sort of specialized skill that requires either 1) a female instructor, or 2) a "specialist in teaching the delicate needs of women". As instructors, we should all be able to adapt our instructional techniques to the needs of the student, regardless of what bathroom they use, AARP eligibility status, ethnicity, etc. I've talked to many female pilots who were initially turned off by the patronizing attitude of some when they pursued flight training.

Potential female student: Hi, I'm here to talk to someone about taking flying lessons.
Dude at the front desk: Come back on Thursday, that's when Maryanne is here. She only instructs Thursday through Saturday.
Potential female student: OK, is she the only instructor available?
Dude at the front desk: Well, uh, ummm...our chief flight instructor is up with a student right now, you could talk to him when he gets back. But I think you'll really like Maryanne...
[meanwhile two CFIs are just sitting around BSing]
Potential female student: OK

All I'm saying is that we shouldn't have to understand "middle aged women", but rather understand "Students who need a new perspective on training". That extends well beyond any single demographic.

Oh, and congratulations to your friend, JOhnH!
 
I'm sure you were just making a joke, but there seems to be a presumption among some in GA that instructing a female student is some sort of specialized skill that requires either 1) a female instructor, or 2) a "specialist in teaching the delicate needs of women".

Thankfully I never encountered any of that. Both flights schools immediately stuck me with male instructors, despite having females on staff. And neither of my instructors treated me like some delicate snowflake - just a person who wanted to be a pilot.
 
Or they just weren't good at instructing. Marital status has little to do with the ability to connect to your student.
I think that was the problem. Both guys were older/middle aged, married men, but neither had experience in the Diamond. She chose them mainly because they were willing to come to their airpark and give instruction in their Diamond. After one flight with the third CFI she was asking why the first two didn't explain certain things (like using trim during landing).
 
Thankfully I never encountered any of that. Both flights schools immediately stuck me with male instructors, despite having females on staff. And neither of my instructors treated me like some delicate snowflake - just a person who wanted to be a pilot.

My primary and Instrument instructors were both female. My CFI promised several times that she would not let me become a "fair weather pilot," and her success in that made my wife both happy and not a "fair weather passenger." The CFII was transitioning from airlines into her second career, and made sure I knew the procedures, entries, etc., cold. Never had any problems with either of them.
 
That is Great. It is all about the CFI you use. Congratulation "T"!!!!
 
Back
Top