And if aviation is going to have a future, you should too . . .
Jim Trusty 2004
Some things are changing in the aviation world, some good and some bad, and most of the time, we have little control over which that is. Five years ago I carried a student load of at least 20, with about half of those working on their Private Certificate, mostly youngsters. They all started out the same way, big eyes, broke, eager to learn, and plenty of room in their peanut head for tons of information. I really like that in a student. Male 75%, female 25%, 14 to 17 years of age, A and B students in school, willing to work hard, no drinking, no dope, family behind them all the way and, eventually, absolutely great pilots.
I remember every one of them. Most turned out well, some as they planned, some as I had hoped for, and a few, spectacularly. The Naval Academy, police departments, firemen, doctors, lawyers, politicians, McDonald's, the airlines-you name it, everyone shared my students.
I would hate to lose my logbook and have someone read a few of the comments I have made after some of the training sessions. It might get us in trouble if they saw some of the sacrifices of time and energy that a teacher must make to get the most out of each student. However, I am certainly willing and most of the time so are they. At other times it is hard and on those days I write little notes to myself to use for training or just for fun future reading-sometimes to myself and sometimes to the student in the years to come. They will get a kick out of it . . . later on!
I've certainly had my share of adults to work with along the way, but the kids made me what I am today. Good or bad? Any of the awards, accolades and appreciation that have been given me over the years as an Airline Transport Pilot, Flight and Ground Instructor, FAA Aviation Safety Counselor, and a published writer with over 1,500 articles in 165 different magazines, newspapers, web sites, and newsletters since 1973, can be directly attributed to my years of successfully working with the kids. Now that's a profound statement, but I know it to be true.
I see or hear from at least one of them weekly. Just talk, questions always, answers sometimes, and in-depth discussions about what is going on in their world. One flew me to Hawaii. She is a First Officer for American Airlines. I was officially invited to graduation at the U.S. Naval Academy for one, one made my lunch at McDonald's yesterday, and another sold me some car insurance over the telephone today. Five or six fly for various flight operations out of the same airport where I train, so I see them or hear them on the radio almost daily. It's sort of like having a big family and that's pretty nice . . . at least for the most part.
I remember visiting them at their schools and speaking with their teachers so they would know what we were doing and to tell them my theory on learning. It made the kids pretty popular since they were doing their own Show and Tell. I sincerely believe that in order for someone to gain knowledge, the teacher must first find out how they learn. Is it by reading, listening, observing, hands-on, video, computer, or some other way?
I remember the parents' participation and help, monetary and otherwise. Driving them to the airport until they were old enough to get a driver's license, getting them after school jobs, getting involved in the various Civil Air Patrol and Scout programs in our area, and applying for scholarships and grants from anyone that would listen to our regular pleas. I talked with my wife last night about all the time we spent with these kids and we both agreed that it was time well spent and not a minute of it that we regret.
Today a lot of the fence hangers, ramp hounds and airplane washers are gone. It costs a lot more now. Insurance, fuel, and airplanes have all gone out of sight. They can expect to spend about $7,500 in order to get a Private Pilot Certificate these days and probably as much as $30,000. to get enough time and experience to go to work for one of the "Biggies".. The need for pilots has decreased so we will produce fewer for the marketplace and some other profession will benefit from that. I am jealous of whatever that might be. We read and hear so much about that small percentage of kids who fall through the cracks and don't turn out well, and I've had a few of them also. But I'll tell you the truth, if you can get their attention early in life and make learning interesting and challenging, you can produce anything you wish . . . as long as you have their cooperation.
I've learned a lot over the years from working with kids, what it takes and what they will take and what you can expect to achieve. The challenge they pose for those of us who teach is tremendous, and once we start we have to stay the course. It can be very rewarding to be an instructor. It's actually possible to produce a better human being and become one yourself.
I don't know about you, but I really miss the kids.
Jim Trusty was the FAA/Aviation Industry National Flight Instructor of the Year (1997) and the FAA Southern Region Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year (1995 & 2005). He still works full-time as a Corporate Pilot/Flight and Ground Instructor/FAA Aviation Safety Counselor/Published Aviation Magazine Writer. You have been reading his work since 1973 in publications worldwide. He appreciates your comments and e-mail works best (Lrn2Fly@bellsouth.net).
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