Instructor ratings for PPL/NPPL licence holders

[BEagle]

Happy New Year to you as well, G-KEST.

The PPRuNe FI poll shows that 33% of FIs who responded are instructing only until an airline job comes along. The bitter truth is that if, all of a sudden, the route to becoming an FI became easier, then many of that 33% group would perceive a threat to their livelihood and would doubtless object in response to the mandatory RIA.

Personally I think that a lower-level commercial licence permitting remunerated instruction at NPPL level would be a start - much like the old Restricted BCPL. NO lowering of instructional standards would be acceptable, but perhaps an easing of the theoretical examinations and 'complex' aeroplane flying training might be acceptable? The difference now though is that Eurocracy would make that difficult. But would there be much demand for a licence which, by its very nature would have to be a 'National' instructor's licence with a relatively steep upgrade path to the JAR-FCL CPL? Perhaps the theoretical knowledge requirements and training for both the 'commercial' and 'instructional' elements of such a licence could be taught concurrently and examined concurrently?

Regarding medicals, perhaps a JAR Class 1 is way over the top for teaching at PPL or NPPL level. I know that's the view of a very senior medical chap at the Authority. So, if a pilot couldn't hold a full JAR Class 1 but could hold a Class 2, perhaps a suitably caveated Class 1 restricting the holders privileges accordingly could be issued?

I'm not sure that to accept anything below a JAR Class 2 medical certificate would be either acceptable or desirable.

In the big picture of things, a less expensive way of learning to fly could be to start with a NPPL taught by an enthusiastic 'National PPL Instructor', then upgrade to JAR-FCL PPL(A) with SEP Rating, night qualification and IMC Rating taught by a JAR-FCL FI?

Perhaps someone other than you or me might care to contribute to this thread, G-KEST? Or are they all reading 'Flight' from the back looking for airline FO jobs?