Gender Bias

Chromosomes have nothing to do with an instructor’s ability to be thoughtful

Thanks, Ibolds, for the article on emergency pilot instruction [Reality Check, November]. I’ll recommend it to my wife.

However, I protest the male bashing that seems to not only be in vogue, but promulgated by Mrs. Ibold in “I Ride in Back.”

“...I wanted a woman instructor, so I wouldn’t punch him for speaking to me like I was an idiot.”

What Mrs. Ibold seems to need is a sensitive, thoughtful CFI, not necessarily one with XX chromosomes. Instruction should as a matter of course include awareness of what the student needs to hear, and encouragement is vital. As for punching out the instructor, why does she feel that’s a legitimate thing to say? It’s very insulting.

“...(after g...