IMHO (and not very humble at that) the quality of our average instructor has deteriorated over the last few decades and especially since theintroduction of the BCPL and now JAR-FCL.
I fully agree that the rating has been and always will be a stepping stone towards a career in CAT for all but a dedicated few. This few (this unhappy few, I am tempted to add) cover the gamut of hopeless to magnificent in terms of ability and I do speak from over 50 years as an instructor including 27 as an FIE.
What really concerns me is the reduction in basic handling skills and in particular a common reluctance to get near the edge of the envelope in terms of stalling and spinning. Many seem afraid and underconfident and this surely communicates over to the student. What a pity.
I feel the reintroduction of the renumerated PPL instructor in a club environment is long overdue. This along with a major reassessment of what technical knowledge is really necessary to train to NPPL or PPL level.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
