Lenticular,
Wasn't a guaranteed statistic, more a generalisation to add to the throttle management during auto's for PPL's discussion.
In the run up to PPL test I've no doubt most students are proficient. Six months + down the line though? Know of plently of ppl(h) holders who aside from the mandatory annual revalidation take no additional training each year. Reckon they'll manage a perfect auto with no damage?
Even when I did my FI test the CAA examiner had his hands following the controls. I'm aware of more than one AAIB report detailing demonstrated full down autos conducted by instructors that have gone wrong. There is also a marked difference between training and actual. Training you have an instructor beside you. For real you have the added fear factor where in some cases all logic can go out the window.If a CPL can get lost flying to Epsom and Ascot why do you feel a ppl will be guaranteed to make a perfect auto? I don't have specifics to hand but i recall the Robbo driver who suffered a failure on the eng tach (no other probs). He entered auto (desite there being no other signs of an engine failure) auto'd into a field and fluffed the flare. As I said - For me a good auto entry is essential as is landing site selection (and defensive flying in the first place). A good attempt at the flare is nice but anything close will make the incident probably survivable. If you only do five or six a year I don't think thats an unrealistic expectation.
I don't teach anymore and haven't flown a Robbo for nearly 18 months. Could guarantee i'd enter auto and pick a field perfectly. Given the differences between my current ratings and an R22 would I make a good attempt at the flare etc. Yup. would I GUARANTEE no damage? Nope.
It's not a reflection on training standards per se, some schools and instructors are better than others ( and the same is true of some ppl's). More an indication that many (NOT ALL) shun recurrency training and view the LPC as a nuisance. That and the personal belief that the brevity of some LPCs is insufficient in some cases.