What Flight Schools Miss About Struggling Students
And what instructors and leaders can do differently.
When a student struggles, the problem isn't always knowledge, skill, or motivation. Sometimes stress, perfectionism, and performance pressure are changing what you're seeing in the aircraft.
Every struggling student I've coached has passed their checkride.
So what were we actually seeing when they looked like they might fail?
This isn't about lowering standards. It's about getting better at identifying what kind of problem you're actually looking at.
You'll Leave With
A better read on struggling students
Recognize when stress and performance pressure are masquerading as capability problems.
A practical framework for instructors
Separate knowledge and skill gaps from overload, anxiety, and performance interference.
Ways leaders can change the training environment
Support struggling students without lowering standards or turning your flight school into a mental-health clinic.
Tuesday, January 12, 2027 · 11:00 AM ET
30-Minute Live Webinar · 20 Minutes + 10 Minutes Q&A
Register NowPresented as part of FSAI's AeroWebinar series.
About Shannon
Shannon Torres, M.Ed., is the Founder of Aviation Conversations, providing stress management training and performance coaching built specifically for pilots, instructors, and the flight schools that support them.
This session is independent of any single flight school and is not a substitute for medical, legal, or aeromedical advice.