As an Army aviator, you have been the recipient of north of a million dollars worth of flight training, at taxpayer expense. I have paid a little short of a million dollars in taxes over the last 40 years, so you should be a little more grateful that folks like me have made your life possible.
In addition to paying for ALL of your training, I paid for ALL of my training through commercial, CFI, A&P, IA, avionics tech, etc. A little more than $70,000 over the last 30 years. I would never begrudge a CFI 0.7 to watch someone solo. Or yell at the guy who tried to have a little fun answering, essentially, a stupid question.
Lighten up, let's have a little fun here!
Cheers!
PS, I charge $100 hourly, but you can donate my fee to charity.
Are you serious??? I joined this forum just to respond to this message.
It takes a special kind of stupid to post something like that. Did you even think about what you were writing or are you just blinded by your own arrogance?
He should be grateful? Really? If it wasn't for the military and the men and women who step forward and raise their right hand to defend this country, people like you would not have the privilege to putt around in those little spam cans. It is you who should be grateful.
Pilots seem to have this holier-than-thou attitude because "less than 1% of the population can do what I do." Guess what, less than 1% of the population has the courage and dedication to join the military and put their lives on the line for someone else. You wouldn't know about selfless service because you are too busy bitching about what you think you are entitled to.
The fact that you paid for your flight training does not impress me in the slightest. I also paid for my education and it cost a hell of a lot more than your flying. And everyone pays taxes. You know, the whole death and taxes thing. Yeah, even the people in the military.
I guess I should respond to the content of this thread before I get kicked off this site. As a student pilot, I want my instructor to be there during my first solo and I will gladly compensate him for his time. As a lawyer, I would say it's foolish for a CFI to leave while the student solos. The CFI might not be able to grab control of the plane if something goes wrong, but I will destroy you and your school if you left to go to your "real job" and the student ended up a "pile of steaming debris." Imagine answering those questions in front of a jury. (by the way, this post should not be considered legal advice, consult your own attorney).
I should point out that my comments have a slight bias because I am also in the military. Sorry for the rant, I guess that's just what us military people do.
Oh yeah, and thanks for the opportunity and making my life possible. I really enjoyed all the MREs and marches to nowhere.