Maybe I'm the only one, but I'm kind of miffed that the VA is funding what is essentially a joyride. The flight doesn't sound like it was any part of a formal training program that would justify "tuition assistance." It sounds more like "free money" use it or lose it.
Maybe I'm wrong and if so, the OP didn't spell out how this fits into any training program. Time building...I guess...I dunno though. If he was rusty on the regs as the OP admits and is part of a formal training program, I don't blame the CFI for being cautious.
I just sense there is more to the story.
I totally understand your feeling. The VA programs can get crazy with the amount of funding they are throwing at guys. My case is a little different. I get a little bit of money per year for education for currently serving in the Air National Guard. Some guys use it for college, others use it for other approved programs. This amount is enough for about a 1/3 of a PPL so its nothing substantial like the VA often funds. I'm not going to derail the conversion and shift to social or political issues but there is a generation of kids that think college should be completely free. I'm serving in the Air Guard (in a full time capacity) and working for an extra that my employer offers. By no means am I gaming the system.
He checked off everything on the checkout sheet and signed it... but you weren't "ready"? That's really weird. He ought to be able to say you're not ready because _________. Also, I too think $400 is too much. Our FBO's rates are $35 flight, $30 ground /hr... $40 for own aircraft for the instructor then add the wet rental in.... I do my own plane but I think it's $120-$130 for a 172.
I checked the receipt. $328, not $400, so I stand corrected.
I would do the same. It's clear he did not receive any dual. He just had a CFI sit in the plane with him.
I did receive dual... He asked for my logbook when we were done and filled it out like I was another student. 1.4 Dual, no PIC time, and remarks one what we did, signed his name, CFI number and expiration. He was instructing me from the get go and it was not like a checkout. Like I said before, it was odd- like I was a brand new student from the get go and continued that way, even through the flight.
To which, sorry, I have to ask - what did you expect? Seems like you got a pretty predictable outcome.
Well, the guys going up there were working on the 141 Private Pilot Certificate. I was headed up there to get checked out. I was hopefully (and wrong, obviously), that it would go a bit smoother and less BS. Now I know some operations operate the same, regardless of your situation.
Understood.
I'm in the crowd that was puzzled by the instructor not signing the guy off. Is someone doesn't fulfill the objective of a FR I was taught to just log it as dual and provide the person with a list of things they'd need to work on.
That didn't happen here.
I was/am puzzled too. Attached are what I received from the guy. My receipt and their sign off. You can see what they covered, what he checked off, and he signed it. I've redacted the names of the instructor and Flight School as I'm not trying to start a **** storm, be an ass, or discredit a CFI. I posted this partly to rant and get it off my chest, get some opinions, and just have a conversation.
Mentioned earlier, there are two sides to every story. I said mine. My flying ability or how the flight is the obvious variable on who you ask, me or the CFI. What I will standby is the fact that I was given zero feedback, told I needed another flight or two but he could really tell me why or what I did wrong. Look at the sign off. He checked everything and signed it as if they had been accomplished to some standard, be it his or the FAA's.
Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. I'm going to pull the plug here, withdrawal the money and send somewhere else. The way they run their operation is not conducive to someone coming up to rent a plane for the day and take money out of their CFI's pocket because I wouldn't be logging dual.