One way that some instructors whet the appetite of prospective flight students is to take them on a short cross-country flight for a “hamburger” during the introductory flight. It usually works pretty well. The budding aviator returns from the flight brimming with excitement and anxious to share the experience with ground-bound friends and family.
After that introductory flight, the hooked student is typically restricted to the airport traffic pattern and a local practice area designated for airwork. The frustration of not being able to make consistently smooth landings blurs the fond memory of actually going somewhere.
