Mr
collective bias,
I don't think it's the flying schools (or CASA's) responsibility to regulate the number of pilots that are trained. In fact I think that both should be encouraging it for everybody’s gain. Flying schools are businesses and are there to make a profit. As long as the product that they produce is to the minimum required standard (or above) and the student is happy isn't that all that matters?
Most pilots, if not all, know that the industry is not a pleasant place. If somebody is stupid enough to think that they'll walk into a job after getting a licence then they are probably too stupid to ever get themselves a job. Survival of the smartest applies in aviation.
Regulating the industry like you suggest it ludicrous. Make the minimums higher to make flying even less affordable so less people fly so some of the 'so-called questionable' operators will go broke! What utter nonsense. Whilst we're at it let's double the cost of beer to stop people drinking, up the cost of petrol to stop people from driving and double the time it takes to get a bus licence to up the drivers skill levels.
What you're doing isn't rocket science sunshine. Anybody can fly a chopper - it's a piece of cake. Safety is the issue and 'upping' the minimum flight time is likely to give the student slightly better stick and rudder skills but is very unlikely to have an effect on his attitude. This can only really be learned with proper commercial exposure and a few NDEs (Near Death Experiences). The best pilots I have flown with are the converted high-time fixed wing guys who already have a professional and commercially orientated attitude. After their 60 to 70 hours 'conversion' they perform as well as the high time rotary equivalent.
Training is all about the economies of scale. There comes a point where any additional training in excess of a certain point does nothing other than cost the student money with very few other advantages.
Like I have said before, it's up to operators themselves to provide the new recruit with all the necessary 'on-the-job' training and skills that will compliment the bare licence - which is only ever a licence to learn anyhow. You can't expect a new pilot to know much at all. Operators should embrace the opportunity to teach their own pilots. Get 'em while the ions hot - before they pick up attitudes that aren't consistent with your own operation or aircraft.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">I can confirm the standard of pilot is extremely poor.</font>
If
you can confirm it! If my understanding is correct you have around 1000 hours
command time, if not slightly less. What makes you think that you are qualified to judge the quality of any other pilot when you are at a stage where you're barely qualified to judge yourself?
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">It amazes me that just about anyone can 'buy' a licence.</font>
Not
just about anyone,
ANYBODY can 'buy' a licence. It's a product just like anything else and everybody is as equally entitled to a chopper licence. If you don't buy it how do you get it? I don't want to get into the "which flying school is the better flying school" debate because my opinion is that they all suck equally.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">I also consider that ATPL Theory and IFR (basic theory and practical) should be the mandatory minimums for theory</font>
While you're at it let's stop people from flying if they're over six feet tall, cut them if they have brown eyes and an IQ less than 180 or over 45 years old. 'Out them' if they can't run 15 kilometers with a gun and pack and didn't do any tertiary education.
What do you think ATPL theory will do? Why would you 'require' IF training? If this is the case why not require a university education and an Order of Australia? Are you trying to cull the lot of us until the only person left is you?
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Greater scrutiny of candidates and age entry standards are applicable</font>
I am not sure I understand this comment. If you meant that young people should be prevented from undertaking training then I agree. Older people (late 20s and early 30s) tend to be more professional and make more sound operational decisions based on life experience. They simply make better pilots. More 40+ pilots should certainly be encouraged.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">My hope is that someday pilots will not have to deal with the years of moral crushing rejection</font>
Call it 'charater building'. We all do it and the best of us get work. THIS is the way of filtering out those that don't make the best operators. If you are the right person you will get a job.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">I have stated and I continue to blame training organisations for their 'prodution line' attitude to aviator creation. There are plenty of really good pilots who need this change to happen. Lets give them a go.</font>
The whole 'production line' training is rare in Australia and particularly rare in the case of Helicopters. Like I said before all schools are alike. It's the Instructor that makes the difference. What you have to do is find yourself an instructor that you're comfortable with and who has the necessary background to teach you what you want to learn. In absence of somebody you 'click' with, a good name is enough to go by. You have constantly targeted East Coast pilots in the past. East Coast trained pilots are amongst the best in the world - thanks to a few excellent East Coast flying schools.
You have unfairly targeted a few schools in particular in the past. Somebody with your very limited experience and unusual attitude isn't is a position where he, with any sort of credibility, can 'judge' these people. Do you have an instructor rating? How many Instructional hours do you have? Obviously with such a vocal objection to the training standards you have a firm grasp of learning concepts and instructional techniques?
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">I would be interested to hear from the Northern Hemisphere of the availability of work for new pilots...</font>
For future reference, if you want advice on work try and project a more professional image of yourself...
I don't understand your attitude and can't see your point of view. I am sorry if I sounded harsh - this is because I am a grumpy old man.
Turbine (but Mr. T to you)
[This message has been edited by Turbine (edited 01 June 2001).]