Assuming that the PPL gets their licence with exactly 45 hours total time and only require the minimum 6 hours training before completing the MEP Skill Test which will probably take 1 hour, there is only 18 hours of experience required to make up the minimum 70 hous.
Personally, I believe that most training organisations today are turning out PPLs who are just able to keep up with the PA28 or C150 operation.
The fact that most insurance companies require pilots flying something like an Arrow to have a minimum of 100 hours or in some cases 100 hours P1, shows that the JAR requirement for the issue of a MEP class rating is not onerous.
If we are worried about new PPLs not having something to acheive after gaining the licence....how about;
Taking their friends and family flying............the PPL course does not deal with taking passengers flying and advice on this should be included within the course; and
Having become proficient flying slow small single engine aircraft, upgrade to a 4 seater that will permit more enjoyable touring including European destinations (after a cross channel course); and
Then after having gained relevant experience, move onto the more complex class of aircraft.
IMHO, while a newby PPL will simply cause havock by blasting into the circuit at 140Kt+ and doing a small crosscountry as a circuit and laways be 5 minutes behind the aircraft when flying something like a PA34, this is indeed a pain in the ass.............However, when they have an engine failure on departure at 100ft at max weight......do they have the skill and experience at 51 hours or 61 hours or even 71 hours to deal with the situation in the required manner?
I am sure it isn't but this sounds like another UK training organisation finding that profits are dropping and the JARs must be to blame
Regards,
DFC