If . is such a crappy instructor compared to the
gods here, why does he earn 10x as much for his
instruction as the gods?
If my info is correct, Cat is instructing people how to fly Cansos. There are a few reasons, mostly related to supply and demand, for that being a much more lucrative gig (perhaps even 10x as much) than some poor 350hr guy flogging around the circuit in the right seat of a 152. If the world was beating a path to Cat's door to ask him to teach ab-initio for $200/hr istructor fee, then the financial argument makes sense; if not, it's simply a willy-waving red herring.
the so called laws of learning as TC used to call them are interesting ideas to read and maybe take into consideration, however teaching ab-inition flying does not require a doctorate in psychiatry, all you really need is common sense and the ability to demonstrate things and instill confidence in the student to mimic what you have just demonstrated....then know when they have it and move on to the next lesson.
Actually, Cat, the psychobabble that you are decrying is simply the theory behind what makes a good instructor. I would suspect that, if you (Cat) are instructing people successfully, then you are applying those laws without even knowing it. However, I'd further suspect that is because you've had many years of life experience to bring to bear on the subject. If I were in my early 20's (is that a fair assumption of the average age of Canadian flight instructors?), I might not have that experience - and thus have to be taught it. A fair analogy, I think, is Orville and Wilbur (not trying to draw any age parallels here
) I'm sure that they had no idea about the physics equations behind the Flyer - but it worked! People came along later, filled in all of the theory that O&W already knew intuitively, and used that theory to deepen everyone's understanding of the subject.
The other thing about how Flight Instruction is now handled and taught, is that you need some sort of system for grading the instructor candidates, and making sure that each one is up to the required standard. Thus the basics of the learning factors, etc.. If you didn't have that system, then how would you ensure a consistent standard? ( I don't really want to open the can of worms here of how high/low that standard is set!)
Not trying to be critical, or pick sides here...just a few observations.
