Originally Posted by
Ascend Charlie
...shows ya how the US system of going instructing immediately after getting a licence, no experience necessary, leaves the instructor a little under-prepared to teach?
The US Navy and the US Air Force both retain a portion of new pilots with 250 hours to stay as flight instructors. Seems to work for them.
If 250 hours is enough to be in the right seat of a 737 or an A320, why wouldn't it be enough for the right seat in a C172?
That may even be more real world experience gained in 250 hours than a multi-crew trainee has received in 140 hours in a simulator where no matter how bad the decision one makes, the worst that happens is getting chewed out and rebooting the computer.
A new instructor might just 1) still remember what it's like to be new, 2) be up-to-date on current regulations/technology, and 3) not yet be jaded/bored/just waiting for the last few hours before the first airline application...
Important - being able to watch what the "learner" (the FAA's new word) is doing and provide measured feedback. Important - allowing learning to take place w/o constantly taking over when unnecessary. Important - positive attitude and an ability to find something every flight worth praising. Important - knowing if something is a pattern/trend or just one off.