PPL Instructors
 

I am with the CPL argument. I believe, if you would like to become an instructor, you would want to be the best possible instructor, and thereby would want to be right up to speed on theory and practical skills.

I don't see how a PPL holder, in the first instance, could possibly have the theoretical skills, irrespective of whether or not said PPL holder had excellent practical skills.

As an example outside of aviation, take the best golf player in the world, he is not necessarily the best golf coach in the world, he has the practical skills which he has been taught, but may not understand the theory behind why he has a great swing, and therefore can't really help another golfer imorove their game.

I beleive that if PPL holders want to become instructors they must first learn the advanced theory behind the practical skills that they will be attempting to pass on to their students.

This is all coming from a PPL holder, and is just my two cents worth.:ok:

Are you aware of how players become 'professional golfers' in Oz? If you were then you would realise you just shot your whole argument...;)

Golfers
 

Sorry HH, I did consider the coursework they do now, so maybe it was a bad example. At the risk of someone else pointing out a similar system, replace the golf analogy with a simlar tennis analogy!

Interesting argument.
I clearly remember a PPL holder at a school I taught at with only 110 hrs total. He is I think, in terms of professionalism and skill, one of the most gifted and talented pilots I'll fly with. Would make a tremendous instructor....right now. One out of the box so to speak.

On the other hand I've worked with loads of CPL flight instructors and I remember one individual in particular who had a spouse who was a chief pilot who possessed no or little situational awareness, an overconfident attitude as well as a definite inability to take on board criticism and woeful handling skills...the list goes on. How did that person get their Instructor rating and CPL in the first place? God only knows.

Of course theres loads of people who fit in the middle of the above as well.
Perhaps the answer is an initial instructors rating exam with a PPL as a prerequisite and maybe an hours requiement (500hrs PIC if you don't have a CPL perhaps?)that takes everything into account (laws of learning , aerody etc making sure that the exam is quite tough) and once finished that exam and appropropriate flying course, can instruct PPL, DVFR only.
Would that not be a compromise? As I alluded to above, lets make it competency based. If you are a **** hot PPL and want to instruct, but don't want to be a CPL (and there's loads of them out there), why not be given a chance? I can think of a few older PPLs right now who would be perfect.
Anyone care to comment?:ok:

GADRIVR, your post reminds me of a certain G1 instructor who said or did very little to move me along in my training, even delaying my first solo. The management reckoned he was trying to pat out his career despite having thousands of hours and other notable airline company credits under his belt. Unfortunately for him, this brought about his downfall and he was extracated before I got to my CPL flight test.

Good point. Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have an instructor that was truly there for the love of instructing?
The current system has failed miserably, hence Casas' efforts in Sydney at the moment.
I'm of the opinion that we need to go back to an intergrated school system with maybe 2-3 schools in each state allowed to teach through to CPL level.
Unfair I know, monopolistic, sure......but it would work.
Thoughts people?

I know I've done the RAA thing to death, however there are many RAA instructors out there instructing because they want to be and they're doing it as their "career" or "real" job.

I wonder why they are "content" with what they are doing, unlike many GA CPL's instructors who just wanna get out as soon as they can? It is unlikely that in most instances they are using RAA as a stepping stone, although it's not unheard of.

vh-xxx....long day
Didn't think of it your way.
I guess its already happening then.
If thats the case.......sounds cool:hmm: