Following an interesting chat over beer the other night what are your views on this little scenario?
Scenario is real and before anybody suggests it I'm neither the student or instructor and have no vested interest in how this matter is resolved
PPL student is sent out by an experienced instructor to start the aircraft unsupervised (SEP). Student for whatever reason starts the machine with the throttle open and causes damage
Who pays
It's been suggested by the FTO that the student should pay the insurance excess
IMHO as the FI is technically P1 ultimate responsibility rests with him/her, and that the FTO should pick up all repair costs. The burden on us is always to ensure as best as possible that the student gets it right. As I see it if this becomes commonplace it will get silly - student goofs pfl and lands heavily then pays for the instructors failings. Hardly a good advert for raising the industry status for instructors to be regarded as professionals and paid accordingly
