So, for some strange reasons (well, probably because I was hoping it would win me points) I volunteered to fly late this evening. So I wound up flying with another instructor’s student. He’s post-solo, but was unable to fly the departure and arrival procedures as published. I felt like I had no choice but to grade him “unsatisfactory” for that item. That also meant that, because of the point in his training, the whole flight must be graded unsatisfactory. He said something to the effect of, “Well, now I’ve got to repeat this flight, we just don’t have time for that.” What I should have said was probably something along the lines of, “We’re not here to get you through this program. We’re here to see if you’re capable of getting through it.” Instead I made my flight commander deal with him. Miraculously, all hint of his attitude disappeared once he was in front of someone else. I’d also mentioned his attitude to a Major who indicated that I could recommend him for an elimination check on the basis of lack of officership if his attitude were bad enough. The joys of the military.

One of my decent students passed his 490 (checkride) which means that now I’ve got to sign him off to solo. The idea scares me.

Annoyingly, my student who failed three flights in a row passed his progress check with the Air Force today. Which means that I’ve got to sign him off to solo, and I’m just not sure whether I feel comfortable doing that. I’ll get to fly with him a few trips around the pattern first, and if he screws that up, I don’t have to sign him off. Or, I could take a stand and simply say, “I don’t feel comfortable signing him off.” I’m not sure which tactic I should employ. Both of these guys will be up for solo on Wednesday though.