A Guide To Selecting The Right Flight School or Aviation CollegeHow To Select A Flight School Introduction Learning to fly is one of those dreams that many people wish to do. Flying an airplane can be an extremely rewarding adventure that is not only fun but can also lead to career opportunities.
Step 1: Determine your aviation goals (recreational or career) Ask yourself these questions: Why do I want to learn to fly? What is my ultimate goal? Do I want to fly for fun? or Am I seeking a flying career? Will my flying be in the local area or will I use a small aircraft for travel? Do I want to own an aeroplane or will I rent? Am I able to train full or part-time? How you answer these questions will significantly affect the flight school you choose. Step 2: Find the flight school that provides training to meet those goals. Everyone who flies must hold a pilot licence or pilot permit, the same as for driving a car. Flight schools that provide flight training in aeroplanes or helicopters must have a Flight Training Unit Operator Certificates. These schools are subject to stringent operating requirements and periodic inspection by government inspectors. You could also go to an aviation college or university. There you will receive the necessary ground school instruction, as well as your flight training. You will graduate with a diploma or even a degree.
Compile a list of potential flight schools and request all available literature from each flight school. Some aviation schools have internet web sites. Ask for an outline or curriculum for each program in which you are interested and a copy of the flying school's regulations and flight operations procedures. Get an updated price list as well. Prices at one school can be significantly lower at a neighbouring school. Do not base your decision on the literature alone!!! Do not be misled by glossy pamphlets and catchy sales pitches. Look for informative substance. This can be found in photocopied sheets as well as full-color brochures. While reviewing the material, take notes for verification during the school visit. Some things to look for are: STEP 4: Visit the flight school in person If you do nothing else in your search - VISIT THE FLIGHT SCHOOL!! Your first contact will likely be an instructor or the dispatcher. Ask every question you can think of. If you do not understand something, ask! Be sure to visit the maintenance facilities as well. Here are some questions to ask: Check out the training aircraft!! These are the aircraft that you will fly to practice in the air what you have learned on the ground. It is important to find out how well the airplanes are equipped and maintained. The number of aircraft a flight school has depends on the number of active students. Generally speaking, one trainer serves four or five full-time students. This ratio may be higher with part-time students. Another consideration is the fleet's mix of primary, advanced, and multi-engine aircraft. Because training aircraft are flown often and sometimes hard, how a school maintains them is important for both safety and scheduling. Ask questions on how the maintenance is carried out and the overall reliability of the school's aircraft fleet.
Finding a good flight instructor is key to you becoming a safe and skilled pilot. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the training and the experience of the instructors. The most experienced and highest rated instructor holds a Class I Flight Instructor Rating. The newest instructor has a Class IV Flight Instructor Rating. You could also talk to some of the other students at the school to ask about their instructors. You'll want an instructor that you are comfortable with. Take a famil flight with your instructor to see if you two can handle each other in the cockpit! This is also a great time to check out your instructors attitude. Is he/she there just for the money/flight time or does he/she seem generally interested in teaching?
Learning to fly is not cheap!. But remember, you are investing in your education, much like going to university. Flying is an activity of purpose, personal satisfaction, achievement and pleasure. It is also a never-ending learning process, and as with all education, your initial training provides the foundation for any advanced flight training you may wish to pursue. When comparing costs, make sure you are comparing "apples to apples". Some aviation schools base their prices on the government minimum-time requirements, for example 45-hours for a private pilot licence. Others base their prices on an "average completion time" figure. Some include books and supplies, ground school, flight testing and written examination fees. Others do not. In the other words, read the fine print and ensure that you are making a comparison of equals. Most flight schools allow you to pay for your training as it occurs. Some schools offer financing, and others have connections to financial institutions that can provide loans for flight training. Some schools also offer "block-time" prices if you pay in advance for a certain amount of training or flight time. Inquire about refunds. If you have pre-paid for flight training and circumstances prevent you from continuing, you should be familiar with the school's refund policy. There is an old saying that says, "Time is money." In your research, make sure that you are getting the most quality training for your dollar. Be leery of those sleazy operators out there. Unfortunately, they are around. If you come across one, turn around and run the other way! STEP 6: Make a Choice The flight school you choose depends on the training you wish to receive. Being a pilot is an ever-changing activity, and good pilots are always in training. Perhaps the final deciding factor between several schools that are running in a dead heat is personality. Like people, schools have personalities. Some are very serious, while others are more familiar in nature. Select the one that matches your personality. If you have any other questions that are not answered here, please contact me.
Good luck and enjoy!!!
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