When reading that ppl solo at under 10 hours it makes me a little concerned. Im a flight instructor and have soloed quite a few people. 16 years old to 50+. I could have soloed some of them at less than 10 hours just for the purpose of getting them soloed, but I rather have a safe pilot up there in the pattern. Granted, the airport enviroment ive instructed in have always been very busy so the ability to adequately deal with fast communications and sometimes non standard instructions have been imperative.
The point is that the student needs a minimum of 40 hours (USA) to get his/her lisence. Why not spend atleast 15-20 hours making sure the student knows more than only the minimum needed to survive a solo?
My students solos at around 17-25 hours depending on how strong their radio skills are, and how their PIC attitude develops.
I think it shows a little shortsighteness from the CFIs side when they let ppl go off solo at around 4 hours...
Just my 2 cents.....
[ 19 August 2001: Message edited by: SkyBug ]