Yes, unfortunately ours is a profession that pays what one would get as the common or garden office cleaner.
This situation will continue as long as the supply of instructors exceeds the demand. GAPAN are proposing to do away with the requirement for a CPL so that will encourage many more weekend pilots to join our swollen ranks and this will reduce salaries still further if one believes economic theory. The CAA would then stop the CPL exams (no need)
Really the money is made by the guy who owns & hires out the aeroplane (not the instructor). These owner guys want a plentiful supply of instructors to reduce cost.
The guys that instruct dont even have any insurance in the main so the terms and conditions are really a joke..
Most of this flying game is about vested interest dressed up as quality or safety and the port and wine by the fire brigade are endlessly looking to find ways to feather their own nest and minimise costs.
The whole JAA thing is a case in point - its partly designed to shift the burden of cost onto the pilot from the fare paying public. In the UK that has meant more difficult and expensive licensing and more competition for the jobs thet exist. Good for the low-cost carriers.
We dont know what the stats are on all this expense to UK pilots as the CAA do not freely give information on pilot progression presumably because such info is revenue limiting...?
Last edited by RVR800; 15th Dec 2004 at 12:15.