WJRFlyBoy wrote:
I have been reading the various threads about spins, forced landings, etc
and talking with CFIs. The road to a PPL is preset in requirements by FAA.
I see that most people are happy to do nothing more than that. Outside of
the cost factors, I find this much more than curious considering the
consequences. You can get killed, that one keeps jumping out at me

I am asking the group for assistance in developing a list of instructional
and solo experiences, testing, mandatory reading.....if you ran the FAA,
what would you require in a near-perfect world that a PPL would require? I
am a zero-hour wannabe pilot FYI

The current requirements for obtaining a PPL are pretty well honed
after these number of years. I see them being generally on target
as long as the instructor(s) is/are practicing the best and latest
techniques. So much of what a student learns is a direct result
of the competence and experience level of the CFI so if I *could*
change anything I would increase the aeronautical experience
requirements for obtaining a CFI to something more reasonable, say
at least 500.

With the addition of the Recreational Pilot and more recently the
Sport Pilot certificates, you now have several levels of entry into
aviation. The FAA has any number of excellent texts and publications
on flight training subjects. In addition you have quite a number
of excellent 3rd party textbooks and DVD courses to learn every
aspect of aviation.

For a start, I won't begin my first instruction until I can do the
following:

Pass all tests with a 95% minimum
Handle with ease all traffic control and similar commo
Dissect the anatomy of my training aircraft
Understand what and how the instrumentation works (shortcomings included)
Own all the fundamentally necessary flight gear (i.e carry-ons in flight
bag or on person)
Obtain hours in flight simulation
More...enough for now.

I think you are being a bit unrealistic here. Part of the reason
for working with a good CFI is that he/she can guide the learning
process to make it faster and more effective for you. Each of the
various subject areas reinforce each other and the flight training
is part of the building block process.

I'm not saying it can't be done the way you want to do it but
I think it will take you a *lot* longer to obtain your PPL if you
try to do it that way.

TIA. The group is an extremely valuable resource; I sincerely doubt I would
be so focused and confident without your past, present and future work
here.

Good Luck.