Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 14:24:05 -0500 
From: "Robert O. Frasca" <rf2c+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Do you have an ex-military instructor?
Distribution: na

I find the responses to this subject very amusing.  I bit of background
on myself: I am currently a Navy Rotc instructor, an Aviator (carrier
tac air) on shoar duty.  I am also a civilian pilot, in fact I learned
to fly several years before I learned to fly the "Navy Way". 

I would like to express my impression, no flames intended.  

I believe the military teaches with a procedural philosophy. There are
procedures for every thing, and the military teaches you to fly by
teaching you the procedures.  As one learns,  one should NOT deviate
from the procedures.  The better you memorize the procedures the better
aviator you will be.  With out experience the only thing that really can
be relyed on is rote memorization.  Learning how to fly in the Navy was
a very exciting and rewarding experience for me.  It was very much like
learning how to fly with a civilian FBO.  I had instructors that
screemed, but that certainly was not the norm.  Most taught the benefits
of fine control, but ALL taught the need to be a professional.  As with
my civilian training the personalities and experiences of all the
different instructors lead for a positive learning experience.

 Most military aviators pride themselves on being professional at all
times. When flying the aircraft or talking on the radio, there are
definite differences in the way military aviators handle the various
tasks of flying.  When I learned to fly as a civilain I thaught I was
very professional, however,  the more I learned in the Navy the more
amazed I became.  I had no idea how much I did not know (and I had 300
hours civilian). One thing I can say to any student and that is don't
every think you know what your doing, because there is always something
you can learn. 
 
When you point the nose of a jet aircraft in a direction it goes in that
direction.  If you point it up you go up, if you roll right you go
right, etc.  A jet is not influenced by outside forces such wind or
turbulence to the extent that a small aircraft would be, and for all
intensive purposes a small airplane doesn't always go where you point
it. I'll tell you a story: When I came to school here I met a gentleman
who owned a small Piper dakota and he invited me to go flying with him. 
I gladly accepted.  It was at least 2 years since I had flown a small
aircraft and I was excited to get back into civilian flying.  Anyway we
had a great hop except, I felt very sorry for this man because I think I
scared the S%^t out of him and myself for that matter.  I had completely
forgot the lightness and finese that is required when flying a small
aircraft not to mention the mushy feel of the controls.  What a rude
awakening.  Well, it only took a couple minutes to get the feel of
things again.  My point is that there is a definite tendency to over
control or "man handle" the aircraft if you have not flown a small
aircraft lately.  However, this must not be mistaken with the ability to
FLY the Aircraft, NOT let the Aircraft FLY YOU.  I feel positive control
is very important as long as it is not OVER control.  You can learn from
any and all instructors, just make sure you understand what it is you
may be learning. ie.  Do not misinterpret the fact that the instructor
is using positive control vice over control.  MOST of all be
professional, you can't afford not to be.  Again these are my personal
views.  I hope they may be useful or at least stimulate more discussion.

Regards,

Rob Frasca     
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student,rec.aviation.ifr,rec.aviation.misc