Student Pilots... How Can We Reduce The Risks During Solo Flights?????

[bones]

Good to see people getting some "meat" out of this topic. I enjoyed reading your post Bones, as a new instructor, I guess you see flying in a new perspective.Like you would not believe Brian, it changes how the whole world spins, i find myself even looking at the windsock again now ???? that is scary in itself

[Des Garvin]

Thats only because the little lady is watchin ;D Bones. Cheers Des

[Waddles]

Gidday All,A very interesting topic that I"ll chuck my 2 bob"s worth at. The Ops Manual specifies a minimum number of hours. The actual number required can"t be less than the minimum and is at the discretion of the instructor and with the agreement of the student. It is pointless for an instructor to allow a student to solo if the instructor feels he is not ready. Similarly, the instructor must respect the feelings of the student if he in himself says he is not ready.There have been and will continue to be situations where the instructor and the student are incompatable. There is no shame on the part of either party if the training is terminated and the student goes elsewhere. In fact, it is safer.As stated in another topic. A Pilot Certificate is a licence to learn. It says that the instructor and student are both sufficiently confident that the likelihood of an incident is minimal at that time, and that the student is capable of exercising judgement such that untoward risks will not be taken during the period that it takes the student to learn his and the machine"s limitations.An amended syllabus has been submitted to CASA for approval. Eventually, this will be developed into a training booklet covering all the syllabi applicable to endorsements. The booklet will require both the student and the instructor to verify that instruction has been received and given. So Des, we have heard your plaintive cry.An instructor refresher course has been convened for the end of November. All the topics in this thread are listed for discussion. It is hoped that this will improve the quality and consistency of ASRA instructors. Time will tell I guess.We are trying, and well you may say "very trying at times".Finally, I"ll leave you with a report that was released some time ago that involves statistics and gyros. It makes for interesting reading. Gyroplane accidents 1985-2005: epidemiological analysis and pilot factors in 223 events. Pagán BJ, de Voogt A. Aviat Space Environ Med 2008; 79(10): 983-5. Affiliation: Eindhoven University of Technology, School of Industrial Design, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. DOI: unavailable

[Des Garvin]

Thanks to Allan for the above update on where we are at with the new flight/training manual. Now we just have to wait for the slow wheels of progress of the next phase. So the 2008 target of the manual are now in place. Thanks to all involved. Cheers Des Garvin.PS. Like your signiture at the bottom of your post Al.