Is it as much of a rich/lucky situation in SA as it is in the Burgerreich? Luckily I had a large part of my own training costs covered by a scholarship. Have to say, nothing will teach you risk aversion as fast as dumb kids getting themselves killed with their dumb decisions.

I was an instructor myself (technically still am, but haven’t taught anyone in years that job paid like shit). 16 year olds and 70 year olds as students get you almost killed the most. Always nerve wracking to sign them off to solo - if they do anything stupid you can go buy a suit for your court appearance, sell all your possessions to cover the lawsuit money and say goodbye to your career. Moved myself to an airline and now have the benefit of union protection plus a reinforced door separating me from rich dumbasses.