Typical cockpit drill and controls lesson issues & Checklist

This list is by no means exhaustive, however, if you can notice and sort out these problems you should be able to get through your controls lessons easily and have a good basis for gaining further experience and learning from your customers.

The following headings relate to basic errors and their correction and assume that the errors are caused directly by the actions of the learner. However, you must always be certain that you are not contributing to the error; follow the guidelines on the teaching page.

Controls lesson issues

Opening the passenger door without checking for safety

Immediately say 'Stop!' and then explain the danger of not looking.

Go on to explain that the danger is even greater when opening the drivers door (and why).

Failure to close the driver's door properly

Make sure that the doors are correctly closed. Is the learner trying to close the door with their right hand?

Does the learner recognise when the doors are closed?

Make sure they look for the line of the car in the mirrors and understand that the door should not rattle.

Not pressing the clutch down fully when adjusting the seat

At this early stage you need to ensure that your learner is listening to your instruction (and that instructions are delivered in a way that the learner can clearly understand).

Watch to ensure that the clutch is pressed fully with the leg bent slightly at the knee and supported by the seat. A poor seating position will result in difficulties with car control and fatigue.

Twisting the seatbelt

Does your learner fully understand why the seatbelt webbing should not be twisted?

Check to ensure that the belt is flat and over the hips with the shoulder belt lying central across the body.

Note: under NO circumstances should you adjust your learner's seatbelt - apart from the fact that they are perfectly capable of doing this for themselves, such close physical contact could result in a complaint for assault - a conviction in these circumstances would lead to you losing your ADI licence!

Seat back not correctly positioned

An easy way to ensure that the seat back is correctly adjusted is to get the learner to rest their wrists on the top of the steering wheel while being fully supported by the seat.

As part of the seat back adjustment, ensure that the head restraints are adjusted.

Incorrect mirror adjustment

The most common reason for incorrectly adjusted mirrors is that the learner is not sitting correctly when adjustment is made.

If the learner needs to lean forward to adjust the mirrors, ensure that he/she sits back to check the adjustment.

Typical controls lesson issues

Positioning the feet

Positioning the right foot in line with the accelerator rather than between the accelerator and footbrake

Reinforce the information about pivoting the right foot and ensure that the foot is positioned correctly.

'Stamping' on the brake pedal

Explain that the brake needs firm sustained pressure and that stamping could cause a skid, then get the learner to practise again.

Not pressing the clutch pedal down

Not pressing the clutch pedal down fully during a dry run of the gears

Watch for this and explain the problems that will arise if this is done when the engine is running (and/or practise with the engine running).

Not releasing or applying the handbrake properly

Does your learner understand the purpose of the ratchet? Does he/she understand the handbrake will need to be pulled on slightly to press the button in?

Has the learner got a physical difficulty with the arm, hand or thumb?

Difficulty finding the gears / Selecting a wrong gear

Is the learner holding the gear lever effectively for gear changing?

Problems include gripping too tight; not palming; not relaxing as the lever passes through neutral. Encourage your learner to sit back and relax without looking at the gear lever.

This problem can also be caused by an incorrect seating position.

Gripping the steering wheel tightly

Learners will often grip the steering with thumbs in... Explain that the main pressure is from the palms and that a tight grip reduces feel for the steering.

Also keep an eye on the hand position.

'Grabbing' the indicator stalk

Ensure that your learner understands that steering column controls are designed for fingertip control.

Checklist

You have now completed the Controls Section and should have gained the skills required for success.

Questions: Download your question sheet here. You should be able to answer the questions easily - if you are unsure about any answers you need more study/practice.

After completing the questions check your answers with our example answers - your key points should be similar. Click here for our example answers.

Before moving on make sure that you:

• Have a clear understanding of the goals for this lesson

• Understand the importance making the controls lesson interactive

• Know how to teach 'skills for life' by briefly including information about other vehicle types

• Recognise the importance of watching you pupil during interactive elements of the lesson.

When you are confident that you have achieved the points above, complete your study log before moving on.

This is the last page in this section - please use the drop down menu for the next subject.