Actually forcing people to get 700 hours worked extremely well, it is exactly how the system worked before 2002. Yes it kept them in the ppl instructing system for at least a year or two; where as now some clubs may only keep an FI(R) for a few months before he/she disapears to the airlines.
SAS, you may have some valid points but the CAA self improver route was in place for a couple of decades, only phased out in 2002 when JAA was implemented.
As far as I am aware PPL instruction standards between 1982 and 2002 were pretty good and having to obtain 700 hours meant the instructor was around long enough to see several students all the way through the course.
PPL Instructing was always a stepping stone to the airlines for probably 80/90% of people who ever instructed. However the system worked it provided the industry with a steady stream of instructors, yes you lost QFI to the airlines but at least you had a stream of BCPL/AFIs to replace them.
PPL instructing was never viable as a career and hour building instructors have infact help keep the price of flight tuition down over the years.
Career FIs are going to move onto CPL/IR instructing and so will never remain in the PPL training system for long.
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At least now more of the FI's that are coming through actualy think there is something to gain from teaching, rather than just as a stepping stone.
Correction, some people realise that instructing is a far better way to progress your flying career, develop skills than forking out 20,000 for a type rating.
Last edited by portsharbourflyer; 8th Dec 2007 at 12:25.