After 109 posts on the subject a fairly clear picture and consensus seems to be emerging.
It is understandable that those with so much at stake can become just a 'little' rattled by the comments here from some no doubt well intentioned ‘hobby’ pilots.
Fact is, that for would -be career pilots it’s bloody tough going, as Luke has so eloquently described.
There are many instructors who would like to stay instructors and progress that as a career. Sadly that for most is not an option for financial reasons. So please don’t brand so called hour building instructors as parasites.
Now to blame the FTO’s is just pure naivety! Just look at your club’s rate card and you will see that the difference between wet hire and instruction is as little as £8 per hour! No huge profiteering there!
I really believe that a CPL should be a requirement for an instructor, and thankfully most FTO’s agree. A CPL involves yet another layer of training (25hrs) with a very senior instructor. Now that has got to improve your skills beyond simply hour building.
And that useless ATPL theory exam??. Well my friends, once you have done them, (and yes a small proportion of it is pointless), you will look back at your PPL manuals and be amazed at how they now look like a child’s ‘my first book about aeroplanes’.
This added in-depth knowledge and training can only help when teaching students the basics and assisting with PPL ground exams etc.
This forum is where members give support and assistance along the long and costly route towards a career in aviation. The first rung on the ladder is often instructing. It costs a lot to step on that rung and if amateurs try to crowd it and take away the ability for some to even earn a few quid, then the should keep their comments off this forum or tempers will fray.
Crash and co, if you wish to wind us up and belittle the struggle to earn a buck then piss off to Charlie Alphas or better still try out some of your comments on the Instructors forum!!