Gusting 26 knots. Ah c'mon Earth, what are you doing to me. I make real efforts to go flying, I get some money together; make sure I'm getting enough sleep; book instruction slots left, right, and center and gusting 26 knots is your idea of help. Gee thanks.
So instead of flying, I spent an hour on the ground with the instructor (new one), being told what we're going to do. I know he wants to set a standard but his approach grated somewhat. Asked lots of questions, which highlighted what I didn't know (or was rusty on) and left me feeling very undermined. I'll give him a go - but I can't see this lasting. I have a feeling that because he has the flight & instructional experience, and I suspect some self-esteem issues (rich coming from me I know), he won't take direction from me.
That all sounds a bit cheeky, I know, but I've had 13 different instructors, each of whom I could objectively tell you why I clicked with and why I didn't. I'm a pretty experienced student.
The task in hand for this week, is to study for this weekend's flying to blow his socks off. I'm not out to fight him - that won't work, undermining his source of esteem would be counter-productive. A quiet demonstration that I know what I'm about will be far more effective at building respect. We'll see how it goes.
