Training Plateaus

Currently, I'm stuck in something that every pilot dreads happening: a training plateau. This happens when the learning levels off, and the student can become frustrated from their lack of progress. I'm currently struggling with commercial maneuvers. I've had problems adjusting switching from the left seat to the right seat and the change in sight picture. I've done this flight over and over, but I keep making the same mistakes. This is super similar to writers block, but there are strategies to fix this:

1. Have a break! It's important to take some time off and come back with more motivation. This time off can also be a good time to study whatever you are messing up.

2. Do something else! Practicing something else in the aircraft and then coming back to what you are struggling on will help with motivation levels. Especially working on something that you are good at will help you remember why you love aviation.

3. Talk to your instructor! They need to know if you are feeling upset or frustrated so they can adjust their lesson plan accordingly. They can also try different teaching strategies or have another instructor fly with you to help you out. Yesterday, after my flight, I told my instructor how upset I felt that I was flying over and over and messing up the same thing. We came to the agreement that we will do takeoffs and landings next time instead of the maneuvers I've been doing over and over.

4. Don't worry! This kind of learning block happens to everyone, but you will overcome it!

Picture: One of my first aviation photos with a Cessna 172