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Check_Six · November 27th, 2006, 19:34

I used the term "spoon feed" in a recent post, so I'll give my $0.02 on what I meant...

I consider S.F. to be when I'm teaching CFI-initial, CFII, or MEI students and they are constantly asking me for answers to questions that could easily be found with a little research. I get tons of systems/weather questions that are blantantly answered in the POH, AIM, etc. Ex: "Um...how many fuel pumps are there in this plane?" or "What do the codes in the remarks section of a METAR mean?" And honestly, those are questions that anyone (except maybe a fresh PPL) should be able to answer or look up. Students who demonstrate that they can at least pick out the correct reference manual for the answer get my full support. Those who whine and tell me that it's my responsibility to hand out answers probably won't be my student for very long.

If a student simply can't master they necessary flight skills, then I recommend that they might consider a second opinion. Perhaps another instructor will have a different teach style that will better assist them during the training. Same goes for flight schools. The school is responsible for providing a service, and many schools are geared toward certain types of students. If it's not working out, then the school should reserve the right to have the student seek training services elsewhere.

I make my students aware of my expectations the first time we meet. I feel that it is only fair to lay my expectations on the table and let them decide if they want to meet the challenge. If schools are upfront regarding the expectations of their programs, then the burden is on the student to meet those expectations.

November 27th, 2006, 19:34	#13
Check_Six Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 58	Re: "Spoon Feeding and Adjusting" I used the term "spoon feed" in a recent post, so I'll give my $0.02 on what I meant... I consider S.F. to be when I'm teaching CFI-initial, CFII, or MEI students and they are constantly asking me for answers to questions that could easily be found with a little research. I get tons of systems/weather questions that are blantantly answered in the POH, AIM, etc. Ex: "Um...how many fuel pumps are there in this plane?" or "What do the codes in the remarks section of a METAR mean?" And honestly, those are questions that anyone (except maybe a fresh PPL) should be able to answer or look up. Students who demonstrate that they can at least pick out the correct reference manual for the answer get my full support. Those who whine and tell me that it's my responsibility to hand out answers probably won't be my student for very long. If a student simply can't master they necessary flight skills, then I recommend that they might consider a second opinion. Perhaps another instructor will have a different teach style that will better assist them during the training. Same goes for flight schools. The school is responsible for providing a service, and many schools are geared toward certain types of students. If it's not working out, then the school should reserve the right to have the student seek training services elsewhere. I make my students aware of my expectations the first time we meet. I feel that it is only fair to lay my expectations on the table and let them decide if they want to meet the challenge. If schools are upfront regarding the expectations of their programs, then the burden is on the student to meet those expectations.