Hmm...
Interesting read Danny.
You are right there are two sides to a story!
I have read yours with great interest and would like to tell my story.
I will not write a detailed report at present but will go away and acquire the "facts and truth" and get back to you.
Just to start though on Mr X, quote: "
It transpires that he had done little or no professional flying in the UK"
I myself acquired a UK PPL in this country and then continued to
fly in this country for two years gaining a total of 115hrs left seat,
I also fly in the r/h seat of my friend’s plane (100hrs+) doing nav/radio etc.
We often go IFR and cross FIR boundaries to France etc.
I also man a tower at my local airfield and have a good idea of how UK RT works.
As for my instrument training, I completed an FAA IR in the states 45hrs dual in a BE-76 and then flew another 50hrs IFR PIC in a BE-76 Flying into places like Tampa, Sanford, Ft.Laurderdale, Miami etc.
Britain is not greatly different from IFR in the states.
My background in aviation goes back 5-6 years and in this time I have met a lot of nice people, one of my good friends dad is an IR instructor and I did not totally self asses my own position I also talked to others for advice.
I don't claim to be an above average pilot but I do have some experience to look back on and a lot of advice from others.
From reading the reply I do get a different picture to what this FTO was telling me when I was there!
Quote : "had effectively no NDB tracking/holding capability"
I certainly wasn't told this when I was there! It is amazing how these things come out once you aren’t a customer!
Anyway as I said on a previous reply we will wait and see what my new FTO is like and then I can write back with facts!
Thanks for your time
AC