I have just browsed this thread, and just want to make a few minor points of my own. I learned to fly a good few years ago, in Dallas, to FAA standards. I was fortunate that my instructor was an ex- Royal Navy Harrier pilot, who taught me to a very high standard. This meant that although I learnt the FAA FARs and flew the FAA syllabus, I was taught to exercise airmanship and planning to UK standards. It should not be assumed that just because an individual has a piece of paper issued by a non UK/European state that the standards of flying will not be of an acceptable standard. I have subsequently flown in the UK and hold both a CAA/FAA licences, together with various add ons including multi. I have to admit, that I have seen very sloppy flying techniques demonstrated by both European and US pilots and instructors, but the real gauge of competence should be in the level of skill demonstrated by a pilot during the necessary check flights.
I fly resonably regularly in the UK, operating from Shoreham, but I find that many of the attitudes held by ATC/Operators/Clubs here make flying less pleasurable, and a damn-sight more difficult than operating out of the busy airspace at, say, Long Beach, and in and around LAX.
I have frequently hired twins in the US, and have been checked out by many different instructors, and have only had one instructor who in my opinion was ineffective. The others have been dedicated professionals, usually ex USAF etc, from whom I learnt a great deal. To make sweeping generalisations is rash, and does our industry no favours. and before anyone asks, No, I am not American or Canadian, just another FI enjoying pprune.
Tailwinds, and a merry christmas to all