So true Nev. My old CFI used to say there was a real lack of education and practical operational knowledge on engines demonstrated by FTFs and pilots. He used to say to me that I was an exception because of my background with building boat racing engines and my child hood growing up with a very knowledgeable father who was a motor mechanic most of his life.
I have often wondered why engine operational education is so poorly managed by FTFs (GA and RAA), but perhaps not all FTFs. Trevor Bange's mob seem to have a good run with Jabs up in Qld, so perhaps there is a good educational and operational regime. Then again Motz who is a respected CFI has had major problems.
How many of us have seen pilots who wouldn't even know what a 'soft pull through' was or pilots who have flooded a C172 ... really one of the most basic engines out there ... and yet sit there grinding the starter until the battery is flat. Or Pilots on injected engines who cant follow simple starting instructions and again flatten batteries because of it. Or pilots who have no clue on how to clear plugs on a mag check, or manage mixtures badly and foul plugs or exceed EGTs by over leaning, or don't alter speed and climb angle when the temps rise, or don't allow an engine the proper warm up time, or rev the guts out of stone cold engine, or do run ups NOT facing into wind ... and on and on I could go.
So my question to FIs is ... What engine principles and operational training is part of the training syllabus and how well is it implemented.
It seems to me that Rotax have spoiled many operators because the 912 has been designed and built to be almost 'foolproof'; which is fine if you can afford one.