Intresting one this,
As a younger member, it is difficult to gage if standards have changed or not BUT, is there a similarity here with what people say about A-Levels and GSCE's i.e. havn't they got easier?! And it is a difficult one to answer.
My only extra observation is that the sylabus has changed. For instance when I did my PPL there was no need to do any basic radio nav what so ever, where as now......? surely this is an improvment?
FW
appalled by some of the flying ??? can you quantify this? What exactly appals you? airmanship? or actual skill level? competancy / safety? I am intrested to know whats getting to you.