[appydriver]

I have been flying off and on for 25 years, giant gassers for over 10. Learned to fly before buddy boxes doing the "Transmitter Waltz". You older guy's no what that is. I have helped dozens of people learn to fly over the years.. Am I the BEST PILOT at our field ? No. I am however a good communicator of what it takes to learn the skill of flying. I believe that is one of the most important skills of the instructor. I tell most guys learning in the begining that the airplane is mostly flying you. That you are just herding it around the sky to start. When they begin to get better at the herding I ask them just to fly down the runway, not try to land, just start making the plane go where you want. Some pick up faster than other. Then I start giving them the first chance to get their selves out of trouble. They can't learn if you save them at the first sign of a mistake. I also maiden several planes because guys trust me. Again, You don't have to be a hot shot 3D'er to be an effective teacher. I don't fly 3D, may never. I have on accident performed a few 3D maneuvers though. I know my own limits and fly within them and have been very fortunate to not lose a lot of aircraft. Every field has the know-it-alls. Just try to help where you can most guys can sort through the BS.