I don't understand the opposition to paid instruction. If someone is willing to instruct for free that is great. Certainly if there are plenty of free instructors available getting someone to pay for instruction would be difficult.

Supply enough free instruction and the "invisible hand" will take care of the paid instructors. Alternately if there is a shortage of free instructors why should the AMA and clubs make it difficult for the paid instructors? Given the choice of no instructor or paying I would have gladly paid. Even with the great free instructors I had I might still have paid if someone had been around. As an enthusiastic newbie I would have flown every day instead of just Sunday afternoons when the free instructors were available.

Eric