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Old 8th Dec 2007, 12:48
  #17 (permalink)  
Say again s l o w l y
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: U.K.
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This industry is in the s**t precisely because of the idiotic practise of using "hour builders" It doesn't matter if someone stays for 6 months or 2 years, I don't call that experienced.

What we need is people to make a career out of instructing. The stupidly low rates of pay and borderline illegal practises of forcing FI's to be self employed when they blatantly aren't can be directly related to the "self improver" route, as people were forced into instructing and the terms and conditions were foisted upon them.

Now, the FI's have the choice and we need to stand up and be counted. It isn't greed to want to be paid a sensible amount and enjoy the job protections afforded to everyone else in this country. By doing this, we will also help to make the GA business stronger and more realistic. If it forces a fw small and cr*ppy clubs to the wall, then so be it, they will be replaced by something much, much better, that actually has a future.

We don't want to turn the clock backwards, but need to look as to how the industry can be made better and more stable. Having good, committed instructors is a start, but we also need to stop artificially keeping the costs low and set realistic prices.

If that makes flying less inclusive, that is something that can only be changed by utilising new machines like Ikarus etc, that can flown as a microlight.

Looking to the "olden days" just means you put on rose tinted specs and forget how rubbish they really were. Don't forget the lessons of the past, but don't be fooled into thinking that what went on was actually any good.
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