"john smith" wrote in message
...
It sounds like they're doing primary training in a Bonanza. Isn't that
asking for trouble?

That was my first thought, too.
It's been said you can't attach a lot of significance to any particular
number because every pilot is different; nevertheless, a student pilot
soloing a Bonanza with just over 40 hours ... most of us are thinking
the same thing.

I am not certain there is a problem. They have been training their
students this way for many years.
Given the selection process the students must pass through just to get
in the program places those selected in the upper intelligence level.
A structured program will train the student the procedures to fly the
aircraft of choice.
Having experience with no other aircraft has the advantage that a given
situation will not confuse or distract the student from the necessary
procedures. The response should be automatic.
("Train like you fight, fight like you train")


Downside is that they have a procedure for everything, and nothing is to
intterupt said procedure. A specific list of things that must be done on
upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, and heaven forbid they are done out of
order. As a result they usually fly B-52 patterns. The school I am at
teaches both JAA and FAA students, and the JAA guys are in the Arrow for
most of the training, think that there is a JAA requirement for a certain
ammount of compelx time before they do their commercial ride, as a result
they do SOME flying in a non-complex machine, but all the rest is complex or
simulator. It's a very lucrative route for instructors tho. But by the
time i have enough hours to qualify to teach under JAA i will prob be with a
regional carrier. Has anyone heard of the outcome from this accident yet?
Haven't seen anything on local Phoenix news....