Lonnie L. Hilkemeier
Erie, Colorado
Timely articles for a new pilot
I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thanks for the great informative articles in AOPA Flight Training. By coincidence they have also been very timely for me. One recent magazine cover story was on steep turns. The day after receiving the article, that was what I found myself working on with my instructor. Then just a couple of days ago I received the July issue with the cover story, "Your First Passengers." Again, very timely. On June 20, 2003, I took and passed my private pilot checkride after 47 hours. Thanks for the great information, and I look forward to more to come.
Jim Perrone
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Airport closures a business issue
I just read Christopher Parker's article regarding noise abatement procedures ("What's All the Noise About?" July AOPA Flight Training). I must say that I was shocked by his clearly closed-minded opinion and general lack of knowledge. In his very first paragraph he blames the closure of airports on well-organized homeowners or "land-hungry developers." Mr. Parker is obviously confused as to real-estate transactions. Prior to the "land-hungry developers" closing the airport, they have to purchase the land from the current owner. Hmm...is that to say that the airport owners who sell the property are greedy, heartless individuals who merely want the developer's money? Obviously not!
The closure of an airport as unrelated to other factors is a business decision. If the airport owners are unable or unwilling to continue the airport business, they must decide what to do with their property. Do they sell it outright? Do they keep the property and sell the FBO? Who knows...that is for the property owners to decide. I agree that as a pilot I am disappointed when an airport closes, but as a business owner I fully support the property owner's choice.
Brian Longman
Shelby Township, Michigan
Because of space constraints, Parker's comments were necessarily general. As Mr. Longman observes, the fate of a privately owned airport usually is determined by its owner. It's not so simple for publicly owned facilities, however, especially if they have benefited from federal airport funds-receipt of which normally requires an airport sponsor to continue operating the facility for 20 years. In either case, however, unhappy neighbors frequently contribute to an airport's demise.-Ed.
Good teachers: Born or made?
In the article "Your Students Make You a Better Pilot" (July AOPA Flight Training), Budd Davisson writes about the importance of experience for becoming a good instructor. While I'm not trying to discount the importance of experience, I disagree with his out-of-hand dismissal of teacher education. As a graduate student I find myself in a situation similar to that of the CFI, as we are expected to teach but do not in general have any training in education beyond our own experience as students.
I recently had the opportunity to attend several workshops and classes on education, and they have vastly improved my skills as a teacher. Davisson writes, "True teaching can't be taught; it has to be learned because different types of students represent too many variables." This is precisely one of the subjects that are taught in classes on education. Without this knowledge it's easy to teach everyone as you would prefer to be taught yourself. And despite this variability, there are general principles to be learned. A good instructor is not born by intuition, but is, like a pilot or a surgeon, a highly trained professional. I encourage everyone who is aspiring to be a great CFI to get some formal training in education.
Patrik Jonsson Santa Cruz, California
Watch the road
Budd Davisson provides good common sense in "Strategic Retreat" (August AOPA Flight Training), with one exception. On your way to the airport concentrate on driving, not flying. At this moment the goal is getting to the airport safely. How you handle your responsibilities on the ground could reflect on how you handle yourself in the air.
Philip Tedesco Middle Island, New York
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