Quite correct and well said Puff. If more GA organisations had experienced, long term pilots like the RFDS have, then the industry would be much better, and much safer.
The apprenticeship really does last about 5000 hours.
The opeople of the utback need, and depend on good light aircraft services far more than those living within the j curve. A high level of local and environmental knowledge is essential, and newbies from the city do not have that. Many are good people and can learn, but it takes time.
The RFDS have proven that it is possible to run a respected, safe operation with light aircraft in outback Australia. They have had the moral and financial support of the whole nation, and that is as it should be. Most other GA organisations do not have that.
We have to figure out why much of the GA industry is generally not up to this standard. One of the major factors is the short term thinking and lack of committment of many of those who are using it as a "stepping stone" to something else, and want to get there quickly. These people should go to an airline cadetship instead of GA.