ktbr wrote:
Skylune wrote:

Actually, I quit training (with several other "students" at a National
Chain due to being fed a bill of goods about cost, efficacy of VFR
flying, etc.) They sell it like anyone can do it (which is true).
But, in my mind, to be safe, you need to practice much more than most
people have time for. They don't tell you that part.

Becoming competent at *anything* usually requires effort above and
beyond the basic spoon-feeding. That is why there are relatively few
real "experts" in most fields of endeavor. FLying is no different,
other than the fact that your onwn stupidity or laziness can get
you killed more easily than some other types of activites... or
at lease garner more spectacular headlines.

Sure, you can get your PPL, and fly a few hours a year, and be legal.
That is wild.

So I guess you would prefer more of the big brother approach whereby
you might have to pass a flight check evey 30 days or something? Nice...
that would make flying really enjoyable and inexpensive for people.

Personally I feel that Darwin's theory does a nice job of insuring
that competency is fairly high in Aviation... at least that's been
my experience. I don;t know about where you live....

Plus, as I mentioned previously, the CFI showed up one day distinctly
smelling of alcohol. That did it for me.

Okay... uh, you had one bad CFI so the whole Aviation community
sucks and you gave up. Let me tell you there are less than ideal
people in all walks of society... doctors, laywers, politicians...
even in your precious FAA.

Now, I fly in the right
seat, and regulary witness (and hear my pilot friend) stupid pilot
tricks. There are very many nonqualified, licensed, legal pilots
flying around, as you know.


Sound like you need to start picking some better friends.
The overwhelming majority of pilots I know make an effort
to be safe and follow the rules and avoid "stupid pilot tricks".
Many own airplanes and put a lot of money and time into them.

Like I said Lune, you might consider hooking up with a
different circle of friends.

"Precious FAA" That is priceless. They are the ones busy doling out
grants to expand aviation. They are a huge part of the problem. And
yes, I believe standards for licensing/testing need to be much more
stringent. Now, you can waltz in with a drivers license as "proof" of
medical fitness, do 20 hours, and fly an LSA. I think this is a joke
and a disaster waiting to happen, especially if the VLJs really
mutliply, and you have many types of planes/jets with pilots of varying
experience in traffic patterns. There will be more slammings, for sure.