Attitudes are extremely difficult to change (1st generation CRM). Behavior is the target (6th generation). I can still have a poor attitude about something but have safe behavior. The assessments are tools that when used as intended work well. Unfortunately the part 91 typical GA training program focuses on mastering PTS standards but has little grounding in decision making, situational awareness, task priortization, workload management, etc. This was the whole point of FITS training being developed. Give students scenario based training instead of theoretical. IMO the FITS has limited success.

How about a mentoring program after you get a Private license. It would be like a learner's permit. You still would need to fly X number of hours every so often with a CFI. It is kind of like the student that calls you after they get their license and says, "hey, got this trip. Would you mind going along with me?" I had a student that bought a brand new Garmin 1000 Cessna 182 in 2008 with no flight experience at all. Even though he was not legally required to after he got his license, he asked me to fly with him on many long cross countries. We've taken that 182 from Ft Worth as far as SLC,DEN and LAS, in all weather conditions. He probably learned more during those trips than he did during his training! More importantly, it gave him an opportunity to use decision making skills under observation with corrective input --like an FO flying with an experienced captain---...Well, the NEXRAD data is 22 minutes old so would you really like to head that way? I believe some sort of mentoring would bring down the accident rate.