The current FAA system forces a low experienced, newly rated commercial pilot to certify as an instructor. In many cases, there is no desire to teach, and the instructor portions of the standards are learned only at the rote level. Many say, "But I don't intend to instruct." But they do! And they give FAR Part 61.57 flight reviews; even in the registration line at a balloon rally.
In presenting their arguments for not having an instructor rating some will argue that, "blood is not on the runway. Number of fatalities remain about the same each year, even with growth." Maybe, but the total number of accidents has grown. There are plenty of accidents that take place every year. Many because of flying in marginal weather.
Unfortunately there has not been an instructor rating in the past for balloons that would allow us the opportunity to compare what might have been. The biennial flight review was introduced in the early 1970's to refresh and improve flight skills. After its introduction the accident rate for general aviation went down.
Under the present system we have instructors whose main area of interest in ballooning probably lies in commercial operations, competition, record attempts, or sport flying. If, for instance, they eat and sleep competition, what influence do you think will be imparted on the student?
The instructor is a role model for the new pilot. Those who are teachers have chosen that role for themselves. They have taken the time, energy, and expense to become knowledgeable. They are a more mature person and conscientious in their chosen endeavor.
Teachers are special people. All endeavors, whether math or ballooning, have been achieved because of teachers. That's not to say that if a Certified Instructor Rating is issued that there will not be any bad instructors.
With an instructor rating the balloon community will have a cadre of instructors who will instruct with a conservative attitude. That attitude will be passed along and instilled in the student.
For those who worry that the growth of the sport will be stymied because of the reduced opportunity to get instruction, keep in mind that safety doesn't care about growth. Only that the sport grows safely. A balloon does not belong in every garage.
Growth in ballooning brings additional exposure of the sport to the general population. Lessons learned early become the basis of a pilot's actions later. Accidents and bad landowner relations can quickly cast a black mark on ballooning not easily erased. Competent instructors are a keystone to providing sound basic training that will evolve a more responsible balloon pilot community.
With an instructor rating the balloon CFI will have to renew that rating every 2 years. Recertification means that those individuals will be getting refresher training. Retraining is important because we begin to forget what was learned as soon as the training is over. Human intelligence retention is selective; we retain both skills and knowledge in proportion to their use and apparent importance to our survival. Retraining is important for all of us.
And speaking of training, how about our present Designated Examiners? Some of them are not instructor qualified. Yet, they are giving commercial flight checks (qualifying the pilot as an instructor) and creating new commercial (instructor) pilots.
Balloons have earned their rightful place in aviation. If a Certified Instructor Rating is good enough for airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and gyroplanes it is good enough for balloons.
Here is the point. Folks, if you want to learn to fly, find someone who wants to be called a teacher. You and I have many balloon friends that are record holders, high ranking competitors, manufacturers, tether experts, pay ride millionaires—you've seen the business cards. Seek out the pilot who puts Flight Instructor at the top of his or her credential list. Learn to fly from that pilot.
When the FAA finally gives us our instructor rating, the real instructors will jump on it with enthusiasm. The naysayers weren't teachers anyway.