Thank you John Sheehan for your thoughtful and supportive article on the specter of doubt lurking inside each student pilot (see “Doubt: Don’t Let Lack of Confidence Ruin your Flight Training Experience,” January AOPA Flight Training). In the 1960s I attended a Part 141 flight school associated with a local community college in Miami. I planned to complete a course of study that would lead to a career as a commercial pilot, although I never realized that dream because I was browbeaten and bullied by a contingent of young ex-military-pilot CFIs building time until they could get on with a national airline. Their teaching methods consisted of demonstrating a procedure, followed up with increasing vocal amplitude and derision when the procedure was not replicated quickly enough.
Harboring those negative feelings most of my life, I decided to face down my anxiety and overcome that initial experience by completing my flight training. I found the learning experience to be far more rewarding, educational, and fun with a supportive and understanding instructor. I completed my flight test and finally joined the ranks of private pilots on the 105th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight last December, 41 years after my first solo flight.
Steve Pearce
Thomasville, Georgia
I am a student pilot and have read at least the last two years of AOPA Flight Training magazine literally cover to cover. The article “Doubt: Don’t Let Lack of Confidence Ruin your Flight Training Experience” is without a doubt (no pun intended) the best article published to date. I have almost given up on more than one occasion because I felt inferior to other pilots. When I started reading this article, all I could think of was, This guy is writing about me. After reading the article, I have newfound courage and determination with the knowledge that it’s not just me, and that other student pilots went through—or are going through—what is ultimately a very rewarding experience.
I don’t mean to discourage other beginning student pilots, but training definitely does get discouraging at times and you almost always take it personally. Thank you, John Sheehan, for your great work. Hopefully, other discouraged student pilots who have read this article will have a renewed attitude about continuing toward their goal of that cherished license.
Paul Chamblee
Lilburn, Georgia
Teaching crosswinds
That was a great article about crosswind landings in the January AOPA Flight Training (see “Instructor Report: Lessons Learned from Teaching Crosswinds”). The author has a good handle on the most common problem I find with my students.
I specialize in tailwheel training. New students are no problem. My hardest job is to retrain previously trained students, and get them up to speed on aileron/rudder coordination, and understand that the airplane does not have to be landed on all wheels at the same time. I find that the flight control most important to flight is the least-used control, and this article is right on.
Johnny White
Abingdon, Virginia
Standard mistake
I believe there is an error in of the January issue. At the top of the second column, it says, “average surface pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch is the same as 1025.25 millibars.” If I am not mistaken, standard pressure should be 1013.25 millibars.
John J. Cronin
Maynard, Massachusetts
You’re absolutely correct, John. Standard pressure is 1013.25 millibars. Sorry about the gaffe —Ed.
With or without pedals?
Mark Twombly’s short history on the Ercoupe contains one glaring error concerning the retrofitting of most still-flying Ercoupes to rudder pedals. In fact, fewer than 25 percent have been fitted with rudder pedals. As a former owner of one of these great little airplanes, I can tell you that they are wonderfully simple to fly and can handle demonstrated crosswinds, without the pedals, that most aircraft in the same class—and with rudder pedals—cannot.
Carl LaVon
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Thanks to Carl and a few others who pointed out our editing mistake. It’s good to know that most Ercoupes are still flying without rudder pedals.—Ed
We appreciate your comments. E-mail letters to [email protected] or mail to AOPA Flight Training, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Letters may be edited and will be printed as space permits.
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