I Didn't mean to touch a nerve here, my apologies if I did... I'm just speaking from a practical standpoint. In fact, I didn't even think of that line about "written tests harassing rather than teaching" myself, it was actually something that Richard Collins wrote (Former Editor / Editor in Chief - Flying Magazine + Publisher & Editor AOPA Pilot Magazine) which I happen to agree with.

I didn't broadly bash the FAA test writers, I made a general statement about the tests. I'm quite certain that the "advanced pilots who write these tests" are quite capable and bright.... They just need a crack at freshening up the tests.

If you take a step back and look at the tests objectively, you will probably realize that a few questions on the test, ok I said "lots" in my earlier post, but certainly a few have the look and feel of that 1979 fake wood paneling that they used to put on everything from dashboards & wallpaper, to the sides of cars.

Now... I'm not saying there is zero value in learning how to calculate the time en route to the station if the relative bearing changes from 120 degrees to 130 degrees in 1.5 minutes, I'm just saying its very likely that no one will ever do this in real world flying unless it is for a demonstration.

Why not add some questions that actually are more relevant to flying today? That I know of, there are no questions about Glass Panels, RNAV, GPS, DUATS, WAAS, or Online resources like ADDS, and fltplan.com. There are no questions on Electronic Attitude Heading and Reference Systems, or integrated autopilots that are common in many aircraft today. I could think of a few good and relevant questions where the test could ask what might happen to an aircraft that starts to pick up ice where the pilot has set vertical speed climb mode on the autopilot... Or how about a question or two on RAIM? These are certainly things worthy of a pilots attention and learning, are they not?

How about some case studies on accidents that have happened in the past? Write out the narrative of some accidents where new pilots could learn from mistakes of other pilots, then ask some questions about them. This is an area where I really think the FAA lacks. I've spent a lot of time over the years studying and learning about many many aviation accidents. I want to know the what/when/why/how of things that have happened to others in the past and apply the lessons learned to my own every day flying. I've learned a great deal from this and I think others could benefit as well.

I really meant no disrespect with my comments, I just personally feel that the FAA written tests could be improved to teach more practical and relevant lessons.