VTAILJEFF@aol.com wrote:

The sad fact is annual Lancair recurrent flight training turnout is very light. Some pilots think that a "Joe bag of donuts" 18 year old brand new CFI with zero hours in a Lancair is an adequate substitute. If you really wan to avoid what happened to Shannon, then commit yourself to a good thorough review with HPAT.

I would beg to differ.  What happened to Shannon and a few others recently was an attitude problem, not a training problem.  Some people are not cut out to be flying experimentals or maybe even flying at all and unfortunately the experimental airplanes call out to them like a moths to a flame.  For these individuals, any amount of training, whether by "joe bag of donuts" or by "2003 National Flight Instructor of the Year" is not going to keep them from flying through the next thunderstorm they encounter or make them consider landing right away when every indication is that they have a serious problem.  Insurance or FAA regulations may force such a person to show up for a BFR or other recurrent training, it will not get them to pay attention or actually internalize any knowledge that is offered to them.

Do I have a solution to this problem?  No.  But maybe recognizing the problem and talking about it can lead to a solution.  Or, alternately we can keep ignoring the elephant in the room.

Flame away, I too have a tough skin and a flame suit :)

Hamid