Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / February 2009

When you're young, you can't tell the difference between genius and
luck*.  The only pilots who can claim real expertise after just ten
years of flying are in the military, and they get _intensive_ training
-- even their instructors get trained on how to be instructors.

Your comment may have seemed reasonable to you, but from this side of
the screen it sure sounded disrespectful.

After having to come in with a shovel to clean up after cocky youngsters
a few times, I can understand Ed's attitude.

Which only makes Ed's point that you can teach someone to fly on just
about anything.  He _wasn't_ saying you couldn't use a Telemaster, he
_was_ saying that it isn't, in his opinion, the best to learn on.

And "highly revered" doesn't necessarily mean "good".  It usually does,
but just because the whole crowd likes it doesn't mean the whole crowd
is right.  For that matter, "good at some things" usually doesn't mean
"good at all things".

* I should know -- I used to think I was a genius.

Oh yes, ANYTHING the owner is willing to risk on a buddy cord can and has
been used as a trainer.  I used to bang around Sig Kougars a lot (21 of them
to be exact) and many beginner got a lesson or two on that because his plane
was not ready to fly but he was.  I have also given instruction on a Super
Sportster 20 and I even let someone buddy box my giant scale Pitts.

There are only two issues that non trainer aircraft present and neither is a
show stopper.  The first, and probably the most important issue is what
standard of performance the INSTRUCTOR is willing to teach to and how much
on the ball the instructor wishes to stay.  I KNOW that when I let that guy
get a lesson in on the Pitts,  I was paying a lot more attention than when
he came back the next week with his trainer.   The second issue has to do
with the students growth in confidence, abilities, and willingness to try
new things.  Unstable airframes reduce all of those growth rates
significantly and most trainers are much more stable than aerobatic birds.
In short and in general, trainers turn out pilots faster than most other
airframes but I am not convinced they are better pilots unless the
instructor was thorough in demonstrating all facets of flight on the
trainer.  Most don't.

My $.02 FWIW

Jim Branaum
AMA 1428

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Bob, you and I have talked in a friendly manner for a long, long time.
Lately I have noticed that you are not happy with simply disagreeing with
someone and that you seem to feel a need to be disrespectful toward them.
I'm a funny guy that way. Speak disrespectfully to me and you'll get it
returned in spades. Speak respectfully to me and that too will be returned
in spades.

I was simply trying to think of a reason why you seemed to turn hostile
toward me. What have I done to deserve such treatment?

Like most folks, I'd rather come here and speak with folks in a respectful
manner. We don't have to agree with each other all of the time. It simply
isn't required. But we should all be polite to one another. That's just the
way that I was raised (Southern Baptist - here, hold this snake for a
minute).

I hope that you are getting enough sleep and are not burning the candle at
both ends. Take care.

Ed Cregger