TonyWilliams

Sure, I can sign it. You can, too.

Still won't help her to get her pilot license.

My sample log book entry; "Jenn, I wish you all the luck in getting started on your pilot license (which really isn't a license, but actually a certificate). Someday, you'll be driving a noisy, gas guzzling, polluting, dangerous, smelly, vibrating bucket of bolts through the air, and I hope you'll love every minute of it. Best wishes, and god speed, Jenn Glenn." (Gosh, hope your last name is actually something close to "Glenn").

Signed,

Tony Williams
ATP

Tweetdrvr

Man, what a bunch of lawyers!! I was making the assumption the guys she was flying with were CFIs. Most of the guys who flew traffic watch at Cardinal Wings in the mid/late 90s were CFIs. If they were CFIs, current on the days they flew with her, and they have her name in their logbook for that day, if they can remember what they did, they can go back and sign off for those flights. That way her new CFI only has to cover the stuff required to solo in order to legally solo her, give her the written test, and legally cover the stuff required for cross country solo, and legally meet the requirements for a private pilot's certificate, and she might save some money.

Jennifer,

I have run into a couple of the guys from CW circa 97 who were CFIs. One is at AirTran, and one is flying for a regional and they both commute out of SDF. I also can get you in touch with LB. PM when you get enough posts and I will do what I can.

N9373M

I hate to be Debbie downer, but...........

If you were the CFI in 1997 would you sign someone's logbook in 2011 for flight training 14 years ago?

If you were the CFI in 2011 would you only cover what is needed for solo and put your signature in her book?

I think she has a tremendous amount of background and should be able to fly through (pun intended) training to get her PPL in record time, but it should follow the same structure as a 0 time student.

USMCFLYR

Having never been a CFI, I was amazed to learn on this forum that CFIs were held responsible for actions of their students far down the line. Is this true?
If so....what CFI from 14 years ago is going to put his/her name out there on a student like tht.
What CFI (as 73M said) is going to accept training signed off from an instructor 14 years ago?
I agree with 73M and think that she will progress at a great pace through training, but I know I wouldn't accept such liability.
Tweetdrvr - you're right - what a bunch of lawyers; but unfortunately for a good reason

USMCFLYR

TonyWilliams

That liability is the number ONE reason why I was never a CFI. I'd be happy to "train" a family member, or close friend, but then I don't need a CFI for that.

When they get to a real CFI who accepts that liability for almost no pay, they'll hopefully be well prepared, as Jenn should be.

USMCFLYR

I can understand it up to a point - since how you were trained weighs heavily of course - and standardization to an established syllabus is important. Training syllabi in the military training squadrons were often scrunitized after a mishap to make sure that students were properly trained; BUT the instructors would not be held responsible if the student was properly trained and then went out and purposefully broke the rules (e.g. flathatting) and was involved in a mishap. The discussions on this forum have led me to believe that this might be the case with a civilian CFI, the liability extending to the CFI much longer after completing the training and for various reasons.

USMCFLYR

Senior Skipper

Not sure what the statute of limitations is, but the FAA can and will want to talk to a CFI if the student is involved in a major accident. I know of a case where a relatively new (1-2 months) PPL crashed a plane and the feds called in the CFI.

Even is all her hours get signed off, I'm pretty sure her new CFI will train her to the required standards, because it's HIS name on the solo endorsement.

In terms of accepting training from 14 years ago, I had a student who finished all his requirements a decade before meeting me, and I flew maybe 10 hours with him and signed him off for his checkride.

Phantom Flyer

Without being sarcastic, your hours spent sitting in a C-172 don't amount to a hill of beans as far as the FAA is concerned. Now that's not saying you didn't learn a lot about flying and does not mean you are well ahead of a beginning student pilot. It does mean that without any documentation, you are in the same boat as a "first time to fly student". As a reporter, you should know that "if it isn't documented, it never happened".

Get your medical and has been offered as a suggestion, if you can run down any of the CFI's you rode with, see if you can re-construct some form of logbook. Otheriswe, welcome to flying....Day One.

On the bright side, you should be able to get through your basis certifications without any difficulties.

G'Luck Mate

Phantom Flyer

Go back and read the case of Thurmond Munson's Estate vs. everyone. Talk about a crowded courtroom and yes, the CFI(s) were a party to a huge and pretty ugly lawsuit.

Having signed off a candidate for a Part 121 type rating ride, which was failed, I can tell you the FAA can and most likely will call you up for a "chat". If an accident results, it will be more serious than just a chat over a cup of coffee.

G'Luck Mate

USMCFLYR

There has to be some limit on the time structure for the liability. I mean is it the original CFI who gets called if it happens at the end of the ATP training or is it always the last CFI/II/MEI who will get the call for instance? How about 5 years down the line? Common sense at some point has to take to the forefront.

USMCFLYR