Chuck,
Something I found interesting, when I renewed my CFI last month, was the new view by the FAA on training.
They are now encouraging CRM. It is not a full blown CRM, but utilization of the person in the right seat.
They are now looking favorably at telling the person on the right to pull out a chart, take the controls of the aircraft and hold a heading, etc.
You still need to demonstrate you are capable of doing it on your own, but they are looking for good use of all the recourses in the cockpit, which includes the instructor and examiner.
It's a small step in the right direction!
Take Care,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.