First and foremost, please recognize that being a flight instructor is only a part-time venture for me. I have an unrelated main occupation that takes up most of my time. Additionally, it is important that I devote time to my family. However, I try my best to make time for my students. I have gone through the “training process” three times now. First to become an ultralight pilot, again to get my sport pilot certificate, and a third time to become a flight instructor. I could entertain anyone on the frustrations of flight instructors never being available, the weather always being crappy, and schedules always in conflict.
I believe it is important that the first few flight lessons should be scheduled either in the morning or late afternoon to take advantage of the smoothest air possible. Due to the uneven heating of the earth’s surface the air gets ‘bumpy’ during the midday hours making ‘feeling’ the airplane more difficult. Learning to feel comfortable in the ‘bumps’ (called thermals) is an important part of pilot training however it is not beneficial in the first few lessons. Additionally, the wind tends to pick up in the afternoon. Students learn better in the beginning when they fly in smooth air. Please keep this in mind when scheduling your initial flight time.
As you become more skilled it will be important to learn to fly in stronger winds for a balanced set of flying skills. Please leave the decision on what weather is best to me, your flight instructor. I will attempt to schedule flights to take advantage of the best conditions for a balanced experience.
Plan on between 1-2 hours per lesson including pre-flight and post flight discussions and a bit of ground training.