good morning Pinkster,
actually you didn't "hi-jack" the thread but brought it back "on topic"
The subject of "mentoring" should perhaps be continued in a new thread. The biggest problem I see, is that many experienced pilots that are not also instructors may NOT be really qualified for mentoring.... but who decides that? They may be experienced, but that doesn't mean they do things "right" (whatever that is....) or have the proper training for mentoring. There are reasons for instrutors to have training in educational theorie.
For example: I once knew a very experienced pilot who took a young kid, 12 years old at the time, under his wing. In spite of the fact that this kid was much too young, this pilot taught the kid how to "fly" his plane (Pa28 Arrow) ... he took the kid on many trips, letting the kid always sit in the right seat and fly.... I believe he let the kid even land!
Well, when the kid was finally old enough to start learning glider flying, he was "ruined". He thought he knew it all, but much he had learned was "wrong". He did manage to get his glider licence, if I remember right, but he no longer flies and never got his single-engine....
pity.. he may have become a good pilot one day....
Of course, I don't want to generalise but just add some points to think about....
Westy