I'll save the speculation for later, but I wanted to comment on all the ASI failure / AOA crutch commotion. Can we not fly airplanes without airspeed indicators?

If we have a reference for pitch in the pattern and on final, and a general power setting that holds a desired airspeed in the varied configurations and stages of the pattern, can't we negate having to look inside and just fly the airplane?

Even at merely 10 hours, students have demonstrated mastery of aircraft control without having to look at an ASI, let alone an AOA. Perhaps the next few tries around the patch, bring a safety pilot or CFI with you and try a few circuits without the ASI.