There has never been a more exciting time to be a base trainer!
Never a truer word spoken! Standards have dropped immensely; even within the larger 'reputable' schools. I have a genuine belief that people aren't trained to 'fly' aircraft anymore, they are programmed to pass flight tests. A necessary step on the way to achieving the overall objective of programming the FMS and engaging an autopilot at 400 feet.
A recent thread on the T&E section discussing Flexi-crew and Easyjet berated the overall standard of new line FOs. I think I remember reading that the company's part A has seen some major adaption, placing many restrictions on the type of parameters and conditions in which they may operate the aircraft.
The AAIB report on the then My Travel A320 G-DHJZ paints a sobering picture of the type of standard that exists. I can assure you that this isn't a remote incident or a simple case of the one that slipped through the net with a fist full of dollars. A European Colgan Air type accident is a real possibility
