Good stuff.
I think that it's good that Mom and Pop FBOs exist for GA. However I think that our theoretical knowledge training requirements here in the US should be significantly higher for CPL/ ATP level examinations. That would not affect the private citizen who wants to fly VFR/IFR GA but would assure a more knowledgeable group of professional pilots.
I agree that flight training in the US is generally top notch and often superior to the quality and quantity of flight training received abroad. It's the theoretical minimum training requirements that could be improved. I do know of some flight schools here in the US that teach their own curriculum to a much higher standard than the FAA requires, and not just to the minimum standard to get students through like some of the other schools. FlightSafety Academy is one of those that come to mind. They do a lot of training for foreign airlines although those pilots then return to their home countries to do their conversions.
|