In the past two years, I went to a certain flight school that will remain nameless for the current time. We flew particularly new aircraft in which I completed my private pilot and my instrument rating. This program was similar in terms to Gulfstream and I felt I had to remove myself from the program. Why? This flight school's solo time requirements for private pilot was cut in half of the part 61 minimum is 10.0 hours. Also, these solo flights were limited to private pilot operations only and had no solo flights during my instrument rating. I tried getting more pic hours because personally felt I needed more solo experience prior to taking my checkride with the DPE but was denied. I am also told that late in the training (comm) that some solo time is granted as "supervised solo time."

I know college programs it is particularly common, but not to the extent that I had experienced and although that minimum there many well exceed that particular number. I have a degree in business and know that cutting costs are important, but the only thing I can think of for the FAA to allow these flight schools to lower required times is because of insurance. But if these flight schools taught these students well enough, then why dont they have confidence in us as pilots?

Any thoughts on why these should be continued if the FAA is cracking down on training?