Cape Air has recently implemented a First Officer program. Guys and gals are coming in low-time, riding right seat in a 402 and getting to learn the ropes of the company and the system. Some of them are close to their ATP mins, and others still have a few years left in that right seat. Some of them are awesome and are already captain-ready. Some of them are HORIBBLE and should have their tickets revoked immediately. The difference I've seen comes down to this: the ex-instructors with 400+ of dual given are the ones who can think on their feet, fly smoothly and touch down gently. The ones with little or no instructing experience are the ones who embarrass themselves on the radio, can't climb AND turn, crumble when issued a hold and their brains turn into pork-chop sandwiches when anything outside of a basic clearance is issued.
They handle the yoke like their strangling a rabid squirrel and their touchdown is anything short of a controlled crash. Some days I think to myself "I'm not getting paid for dual given".
There are definitely times when their presence is a hinderance and not a help, but to the best of my ability I try to peacefully lead them towards the path of righteousness. Honestly, I envy them: where was my opportunity to get twin time with only 400 hours total? I had to do it the old fashioned way: 1300 hours of dual given and have my ATP written done BEFORE the interview.
Stryker made an interesting statement:
Now on the flip side do you really think that someone who has 1000 hours, most of which are in a single engine teaching students is REALLY going to do that much better than someone who has 500 hours and less dual given, but spent some time refining their own knowledge and skills? I am not provoking an argument, I am really interested to see what you think....
That pilot who spent time "refining their skills" will have nowhere near the library of experience that an instructor, having student after student put them in unusual situations, will. A relatively low-time pilot isn't going to stray too far outside of their comfort zone with regards to handling situations, therefore they just arent going to get AS MUCH experience as a CFI will.
If I had my way:
1. All high school graduates would have to complete 4 years of military service before continuing with college or trade.
and...
2. The issuance of a commercial certificate would coincide with the issuance of the CFI ticket, and 500 hours of dual given would be required to "validate" the commercial ticket and allow the applicant to exercise the privileges.
No argument required. You'll see.