CAA - Termination of student training

[Fairy Flycatcher]

Hi FF, just for interest sake, approx what % students that start their training actually complete it, ie. how many drop outs? Is theory ever a reason for students bailing out?

I can't speak for the rest of the country, but I find that about 75% of students who start, finish. Sadly though, only about 30% are still flying a year later.

I think many people who have the disposable income to afford flying, are often people who are extreemly goal-oriented, and finishing the licence is another goal. But what then?

I have not yet come accross someone who drops out because of the theory. We have had a number of students who battle with the theory, but we do one on one lectures for them, and often more than one on the same subjects (usually the maths behind nav.) and everyone who wants to fly gets through it eventually.


Thanks for picking up on the school's angle Morph

[Junkie]

Oh boy, another can of worms.... me thinks many instructors (employed or owners of own 'school') are hardly in any position to wash anyone out, as their financial reality is often very tight to downright bleak - would'nt do the career/business a whole lotta good, going round telling students they'r k@k / history.

What's it come down to (in no particular order)...
Age/maturity
Student motivation(s) - and how it changes over time
Frequency of lessons
Weather/time of year
School & instructor standards/approach
Quality / Availability of aircraft and instructors
Pre & post flight handling
Self study or lectured theory,
etc, etc...

Sure - schools/instructors could be legislated to point out to students up front and at specific point in training program of lack of sufficient progress and given opportunity to re-consider, but the decision must be left totally up to the paying customer.

Know of a a couple of 100+hr guys, and at least 1 has gone on to be a very good and very active pilot (age a big factor).

However of course their is also the lttle issue of:
.. if the paying customer can show he/she recieved less than adequate training / opportunity.... who fires/ pays who then

... its just another brick in the wall / can of worms to consider. :D