Sometimes one can let a student teach themselves an example by the principle of “intensity”, ie. let them do something to scare themselves just enough to make a lasting impression. I’ll never forget sitting in my driver’s ed class and having the highway patrol officer showing us black and whites of a horribly mangled body and the impression that made on me to, well, sit up and drive right!

Perhaps before having the sit-down conversation with this student, you may wish to get him some actual time. It’s not clear whether he’s shot an approach in actual conditions, but if not, perhaps he has a false sense of accomplishment under the hood (we all know there is the little corner we can see out). If he hasn’t been in actual conditions shooting approaches, try to find a day where the ceilings will permit being in actual past the PFAF or FAF so he gets this experience.

Another “approach” might be to work more in a FTD or PCATD to continue working on approaches and holding patterns in an effort to reduce the cost to him and allow you to manipulate more environmental variables. You could also choose to simulate some abnormalities like a low voltage light as he’s beginning an approach. This will accomplish two things: 1) Show you how he can handle an abnormal situation flying single-pilot IFR; 2) Give you some leverage to show that he does indeed, need more practice.

Barring any of the above or other attempts, I must admit this does sound like a student that you may need to have a serious conversation. As much as we learn about these defense mechanisms and emphasizing the positive, we must also remember to recognize a potentially dangerous situation with a student. Without having more information it’s hard to say, but it does sound like he has some hazardous attitudes and performance issues which could lead to an NTSB report. Personally, if it’s taken him this long, with this many instructors, and he’s “all over the sky” with as much practice as he’s had, imagine how it’s going to be if he waits 5 months to keep his instrument currency and goes up in actual conditions.

Good luck!

- Colin