LOL

Was solo earned or the instructor didn't want to die?

 

You say that like those are exclusive things.

 

..

 

When I got signed off to solo, my instructor literally told me not to do anything stupid that would make him look bad.

I thought it was funny.

Now I'm wondering... is that a running joke for all you instructors? Do you say this to everyone?

 

I say it to every student. It's more to reinforce taking it easy on your first time solo.

The first time I signed off a student I was still a fairly new instructor. The guy was awesome, great attitude, great car control, great self assessment... He proceeded to go out on his own and loop it at about 110mph... luckily nothing got hurt... but then bbn I had to face my CI who was looking at me like "I thought you said this guy was good"

 

It's not a joke. Most people slow down on their own the first time they solo but some go the other way. It's sometimes good to remind them that both of you are going to look bad if they crash.

 

I can relate to...what’s rattling around in the trunk.

Me: what’s that thump noise?
Student: That’s my bowling ball.
Me: slow down and pit! You have to take the bowling ball out
Student: I’m not leaving it out because it’s expensive.
Me: Ok, we are done for the day. Go see the chief instructor

 

I say it to students when I am in the car and also if they go solo. Don't make me look bad.

True story - about 30 years ago I worked at a Goodyear location and my brother was the manger. Guy pulls in and says he hears a clunk every time he goes around the corner. My brother takes it for a test drive and, you guessed it, loose bowling ball in the trunk. My brother puts the ball back into the bag and just tell the guy "no charge". Doesn't even tell him what it was.

 

Check ride instructor to student: "There are only two things you can do to impress me, and they are both bad."

Sometimes I think I'm on more pins and needles than the student getting the check ride, so tempted to say "Good luck with your check ride, don't change anything. If you pass, great. If you don't, don't come back..." but I'd never do that.

-Mike

 

Every solo signoff.

 

I never advise a student that a pass is a good thing on a check ride or don't come back. I'd much rather see a student pass because he adheres to the principle of this being a fun experience versus getting to the finish line faster.
Now, that having been said, I also expect the student to be able to execute a safe pass if and when the opportunity presents itself and NOT because the check out instructor expects it.

 

Umm.. Mike was talking about passing the check-out ride... i.e. passing the "test".

 

Was wondering what he was talking about. Funny...

 

Wait... what?? Are you saying that if a student doesn't pass a check-out ride then they should just give up??

Or did I miss-interpret that somehow?