Overcoming learning plateaus in your training
Everyone starts out their flight training with a lot of excitement, joy, and, wonder. You are finally starting to live out a dream that you have had for the longest time! And though you may have felt a little overwhelmed during the first couple of lessons, you keep pushing through because this is something that you are dedicating yourself to. You have a sense of accomplishment after every lesson and things seem to be going well. But then you reach a point in your training where you are going through a certain maneuver such as landings, or a concept in ground school and you just seem to be at a standstill in your progress. This is the part of the training that almost every pilot has gone through at some point and it is frustrating. But it is important to keep in mind that these plateaus are a normal, unavoidable part of flight training and everyone experiences at different stages.
Learning plateaus usually occur after you reach a point where you are unable to absorb anymore new information. This could be due to the fast rate in which you were learning and practicing concepts to the point that you start going through the motions instead of actively being engaged. If you find yourself being stuck at a learning plateau, do not be discouraged! There are various practical steps you can take to overcome a learning plateau.
• Try out a different lesson schedule. – reducing the frequency of lessons per week may give you the time you need to absorb the new information and allow to you take a break and focus on other tasks. This may help you come back with a fresh perspective and ready to learn.
• Move onto another concept. – For instance, you and your instructor having been practicing performance take offs and landings for a good while and it’s just not coming to you as easily as some of the other maneuvers. Talk with your instructor and review past maneuvers that you felt comfortable with or try out a new maneuver that you haven’t attempted yet.
• Change your scenery. – Practicing pattern work at same airport can get monotonous and perhaps going to a different airport is what you need to overcome the learning plateau.
• Take time to go over maneuvers again on the ground. – Sometimes all you need is to go back to the drawing board with your instructor to understand the concepts better. Ask questions you may not have had the opportunity to ask in the airplane.
• Try a different learning style. – Everyone learns differently, whether it be through reading, watching videos, or learning hands-on. Seeing what works best for you may help you gain momentum in your flight training.
• Fly with another instructor. – As a CFI, I have adopted this method many times with my students and it has proven to be very helpful especially when a fresh pair of eyes catches things that you may have not noticed. Students, don’t be afraid to ask your instructor if this is something that might work for you.
And most importantly, KEEP GOING! Look back at how far you have come and keep pushing forward! Talk to your instructor on how they can help you through your training when you do feel stuck. One of the many goals of a CFI is to see you succeed while keeping you and everyone on the ground safe.
And flight instructors, it is our responsibility to be proactive with our students and identify areas that they might be struggling with and make appropriate changes to the training style that would match the needs of the student. Ensure that these plateaus are addressed sooner than later to avoid any further frustration that the student may have.
Plateaus are a normal part of the flight training process. And though you may feel that your training seems to be at a standstill, be patient and have an open communication with your instructor on what you are going through. With a little bit of determination, you will once again continue making strides in your aviation journey and rediscover your passion for flight.
Let’s go Fly!
-Jonathan George, CFI