"Jim Fisher" wrote in message
.. .
"Dudley Henriques" wrote in message
As I've said, the pilots I've checked coming out of these "crash
courses
for the Private" were safe enough, but lacked the overall abilities
of
pilots who had gone through a normal process

I'm more with you than again' you on this one, Dudley. However, I had
the
same thought about accelerated courses for the IFR that I was once
considering until I researched the subject and was convinced
otherwise.

I wonder if I would again be swayed if I were to look into the
accelerated
Private programs? I doubt it. I don't see how anyone could gain the
experience they need within 40 to 50 hours and a few weeks. Some do,
of
course, but speaking as one who got their wings at about 70 hours, it
still
wasn't really enough. Had I known what I know now, I would have
stayed
under the tutelage of my CFI for a dozen or two more hours . . . Okay,
that's a damn lie. I wanted my wings just as bad as anyone else and
wanted
the NOW, by golly. I still coulda' used a few more hours, though.

I, Jim Fisher, Internationally Famous Former Airplane Owner, probably
would
have been one of those that "cracked" under your probing questions and
you
would have equated my knowledge with the Accelerated dudes. We will
never
know, I guess.

What I do know is that you are welcome to your opinion (an most here
in the
group want to hear it - it's what we are here for) but it really
doesn't
mean squat. Just because you've had a few students from Accelerated
Courses
("AC") who didn't quite meet your standards doesn't mean most, some,
all or
none of them will not. Your experience is not anywhere close to a
scientific sampling.

All that said, perhaps you've illuminated a problem that does not rest
with
the AC courses but with the Private Pilot written and checkride.

Many CFIs here in the group have stated over and over again "Don't
worry
about the checkride or your written grade. What matters is that you
passed." But wait, that doesn't count if your an AC student according
to
you, Dudley.

So, either the written test & checkride is a joke and jillions of
"pilots"
unworthy of the privilege are swarming over our heads or the test and
Ride
are effective enough to weed out the worst of us and send them back to
the
drawing board.

It can't be either, can it?

--
Jim Fisher

There's a little more to the educational end of the flying equation than
the "high wing, low wing" thing Jim.

I'll be glad to discuss any opposing opinion you might have as a non
CFI; only try a repost will you....this time without all the veiled
personal stuff and assumptions please.

Just pass on things like how many students you think I might or might
not have dealt with, and whether or not my opinion "means or doesn't
mean squat"....... and simply ask logical, pertinent questions if
that's at all possible. I'll be glad to discuss the issue with you.
Appreciate it! :-)
Thank you
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired
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