One critical note on teaching technique when using a trainer cord: If effective learning is the goal, it's VITAL that the teacher always use consistent verbal cues when giving control to the student, but even MORE importantly when TAKING BACK control from the student. As the teacher, if you're trying to let the student fly to their limit, this can be hard to remember to do, since you'll tend to concentrate on taking over just in time to "fly the rescue". But especially when 'flying the rescue' you must give a clear verbal cue that is timed exactly with your moment of takeover.
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? Because for the student there is essentially NO other indication that you have taken over control. They may continue to move the stick and think they are getting the results that in fact you are getting for them. This perception: thinking they were in control when they weren't is corrosive to the learning process. The student can too easily perceive that they have flown a brilliant save, only LATER to find out that it was you doing the saving and not them. This leaves the student with the task of trying to "de-program" what they thought was a success. When exactly did you take over? Did they fly part of the save, but not the end of it? would the moves they made even have been helpful? Who knows?. MUCH easier if they just get a clear cue at the moment that their own stick motions 'no longer count'. Anything that you both agree on is fine, and saying anything is better than nothing. but the clearest and quickest words the instructor might use are probably: "YOURS!" when giving control over to the student and "MINE!" at the exact moment of taking control back If you're like me, you'll find it's a non trivial task as a teacher to be completely consistent with this, but it's very important to try. Hope this is helpful. Lift, Scobie at Liftworx www.liftworx.com PS: The necessity for this rather fussy discipline in using a trainer cord could be completely eliminated if the manufacturer would simply couple a "BEEP" sound to the pressing and releasing of the trainer button/switch. Are there any brands that have figured this out? I'm sure a good electrics guy could probably add that in. A little beyond me, but I'm going to consider asking someone to do it for me. I do a lot of two-box training. ________________________________________________________ Can anyone give me the quick idiot's guide to using a trainer cord? Do you have to trim both radios to match, do they both need all the same mixing set up (eg, elevon, etc)? Is it considered "safer" to pull the crystal from the trainer box? He's planning on using his regular Hitec radio and an older Flash that he has lying around. Brother is trying to get my nephew flying, just want to do my part to help them out. Thanks, Brent RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
