The best description I ever read was a new PPL who described his flying capability as 'more a sparrow than an eagle'.
This belief that as soon as a PPL is issued, then one can fly anywhere/anytime is just unrealistic. In any case if someone had just passed their driving test could they immediately drive single-handed to Scotland for example. Organisations that peddle this nonsense are doing the whole industry a disservice.
I think that instructors don't take enough interest with what their students intend to do afterwards. My instructor advised 'to go places', nothing destroys confidence faster than never leaving the local area. It helps of course if the instructor has gone places themselves.
There will always be students for whom getting the PPL was the sole objective. Some students stop after first solo. They say they have flown the aircraft on their own, that's all they wanted.
Last edited by RodgerF; 7th November 2003 at 18:01.