The biggest factor contributing to the increase in the SSTR schemes in the UK is the change from the CAA system to JAA. Remember under the CAA system on the self improver route you had to build up 700 hours to upgrade the BCPL to a full CPL. This meant that every self improver(or modular) pilot had to instruct, para drop or tow gliders before progressing to an airline position. Remember it was JAA implementation that allowed a full cpl to be held at 200 hours.