HOW OFTEN TO TRAIN

daviddillehay

I bought a Dakota in March this year for my sons, 16 and 24 to get their PPL.I am a multi pilot with no medical with 5 aircraft behind me, but don't even remember my PPL training. Most of this spring was a weather mess here south of Houston, compounded by CFIs more worried about ATP than their students. and they both have gotten less than 20 hours of dual in. The 24 year old was close to solo, while the 16 yo has only 10 hours of basic stuff with 6 bounced landings!.

I have found a very good CFI and a back up to start in a week or so. However the 24 YO has just started a demanding job and the 16 YO is heavy into school and Varsity Tennis. It is a bit complicated because the Prime CFI does not fly on Sundays but the backup does...maybe.

I am trying to figure out how to make this work but have Two big questions.

Is one lesson of flying per week enough to keep them moving along?

Is two lessons or more per week far better?

Your comments are most welcome and appreciated.

Dave Dillehay

N8442A

jimcurns

Two per week is better, but one a week is better than nothing.

Jim

greygoose

Echo Jim's comments.

Unsolicited comment: Given your layout of the situation, is learning to fly something your sons really want to do at this point in their life? Seems like there are other commitments that may indicate now is not the best time.

Ben

griff390

https://piperowner.org/talk/discussion/157063/how-often-to-train

Dave;

I generally recommend new students work with CFI's who are dedicated to instructing. Nothing wrong with CFI's who are building hours to go to the airlines, but it could leave a student stranded. I speak from experience as it happened to me 3 times while I was earning my PPL.

All other factors being the same, if a student attends training 2x, (s)he will theoretically earn their certificate 2x faster. Looks great on paper, but in real life every student learns at different rates, so your mileage may vary.

Some questions to consider:

1. What are your son's priorities? Job? School? Tennis? Flying? All require dedication, but flying requires commitment. The number of hours each son can dedicate per week to flying is a question only your sons can answer.
2. How well do your your sons retain information? Every student is different. Some can step away for months, and pick up where they left off, while others may need weekly or bi-weekly reinforcement to stay sharp.

Seneca38173

Dave,

I know where you're coming from, but if it's okay with you, I'll answer a slightly different question. "What's the best strategy to develop competent and invested pilots?"

By my count, your sons are way ahead of the game:

• Motivated and committed mentor-you.
• Access to their own aircraft, eliminating missed lessons due to other students' stage checks, uncoordinated maintenance. Always has the same configuration, so they're not figuring out where the throttle is, while also learning power-off stalls.
• Plentiful VFR weather. Houston isn't perfect, but it's alot better than Boston.
• Avoid the big flight schools and their integrated, computerized curricula. Most students I see coming from these schools have 120+ hours before taking the practical test, and despite all those hours, are very shaky pilots. Knowing what I know now, I'd never even consider anyone but an independent CFI, preferably former military or airline.

Some other things to consider

• Complete the knowledge test before your first trip to the airport. Just get it out of the way.
• Learn the Dakota POH front-to-back, again before heading to the airport.
• Read through the ACS, and make a checklist of all the maneuvers. I'm a big fan of CFIs who will work methodically with you to get all the required maneuvers down long before meeting the DPE.

good luck and keep us posted,

Bob

daviddillehay

Thanks for the inputs from all, I really appreciate each and every one and getting my kids to read them as well. I am certain that they will make great/safe pilots.

thanks

Dave Dillehay N8442A