During the recently concluded Winter Olympic Games, the picture of young skaters nodding solemnly at the last-minute instructions of their wizened coaches painted an idealistic picture: “Been there, done that. And now I’m going to help you do it, too.”

The picture at the local FBO is usually different. Fresh-faced instructors pace eagerly near the door, waiting for students who usually turn out to be men and women on the other side of 30. Or 40. Or beyond.

In a field that pays lip service to safety at nearly every turn, it strikes some as odd that some of the least experienced pilots are the ones who teach neophytes. Those who sing…