Guide To Choosing The Right Flight School
Choosing a flight school can be an overwhelming process. Whether you are looking for flight lessons or a degree, there are so many variables to consider. Where is the nearest airport? What is the average cost of instruction? How much time will it take me to get my license? Are there any programs for adult learners? These are all questions that need answers before you enroll in any school. The good news is that we’ve taken some of these variables out of the equation by compiling this guide, which will help take you through your decision-making process.
If you are thinking about taking flight lessons before jumping into a career as a pilot, and would like to earn your private pilot certificate, the following criteria will help you choose the right flight school.
1. Flight School Location
The first step when choosing a flight school is determining where to train. There are two main factors here: airport proximity and airport facilities. The first requires that you find an airport that is most convenient for your lifestyle. If you are someone who would like to continue flying in your local area, then it is important that you choose a local flight school, as they will allow you to take lessons nearer to home. However, if you will be flying a lot, or flying internationally, then you may want to look into a flight school that is located in a larger city. This will enable you to take lessons further away from home and will allow you to get away from the hustle of everyday life.
When it comes to airport facilities, it's important to consider how long of an airport facility is currently being used by its students. Some aircraft are not allowed at certain airports due to their size or weight, and quite often these "no-go" airports have outdated classrooms and limited space. If this is the case with your selected airport, choosing a flight school that trains at an airport with newer facilities may be something that you should consider. Also consider if the airport has a control tower and if it is staffed during the hours of operation.
2. Flight School Type
There are several different types of flight schools, including: small general aviation flight schools, which teach students on a variety of models of aircraft, usually through one-on-one training; fixed-base operators (FBOs), which are basically flight schools located in airports and offer lessons in single engine and multi-engine aircraft; military flight training programs, which train students for careers as military pilots; and commercial airlines, which are operated by the major airlines. It is important to understand the differences between these types of flight schools so you can choose a course that best fits your needs.
Small general aviation flight schools, which are usually referred to as "feeder schools", are usually small businesses that will teach you how to fly in a specific model of aircraft, such as a Cessna 152 or 172. After your training is complete for the model you chose, you will most likely be required to purchase your own aircraft and pay for your training in the form of whatever is left over. Therefore, it is much more cost-effective to choose these types of flight schools if you plan on continuing on to earn a commercial pilot license.
FBOs are located at airports and offer lessons while they are open, meaning they may be closed during peak hours and holidays. While they have some disadvantages, they can be great choices if you are limited in your time and live far from an airport. They often have a large selection of aircraft available, including both single and multi-engine aircraft, and are staffed by experienced pilots.
Military flight training programs offer a great deal of flexibility. You can take classes at different locations around the country, depending on your military assignment, or you can take classes 24 hours a day. There may be limits to what is open during the weekdays and on weekends, but there should be more than enough time to complete all of your pilot training requirements.
Commercial airlines are the most expensive option and may not be necessary for most, but they can be great options if you want to earn an airline transport pilot license. With these programs you will work directly with a commercial airline and receive direct flight training experience in larger, modern aircraft. You will compete with other pilots vying for the same jobs, which is a great competition if you’re looking to get hired.
3. Flight School Age Restrictions
Flight schools have age restrictions for their students, so it is important that you know when those restrictions apply to your situation before enrolling at a flight school. If you are under 16 years of age, flight schools are prohibited from training you until after you reach the age of 16. If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, then flight schools may not train students until they turn 18. If you are between the ages of 18 and 21, then there is no age restriction for flight lessons.
4. Flight School Type
Small general aviation flight schools can be great for anyone who wants to learn how to fly but wouldn’t want to do so in a larger aircraft. They usually only provide instruction in one model aircraft and will focus on your individual needs and abilities to determine which aircraft is best for you to use. Flight school quality is highly dependent on the instructor, so it is essential that you choose an instructor that has experience teaching a variety of people, not just those who come from a similar background or already know how to fly.
FBOs are great for students who don’t have much time to take lessons, as they typically only open during normal hours and usually have high availability. If you have restrictions on weekends or holidays, then this may not be the best option for you. The staff is usually well trained and many of them have thousands of hours of flight training experience. However, FBOs also tend to be very expensive and are usually limited by the aircraft they have available.
Military flight training programs offer a large variety of classes and locations. These programs should be used to help you earn your pilot license and assist you in finding a job once you finish training. The flight training is always available regardless of the time of day or the weekend, which can be great if you have school or work commitments that would ordinarily prevent you from taking pilot lessons. The drawback with military flight training programs is that they may have performance standards for their instructors that are higher than commercial airlines, which can make flying for these companies more difficult to obtain once your military career is over.
Commercial airlines are great for those who want to compete for a pilot job. These companies usually have very high flight training standards and you will be required to earn a commercial pilot license before you can begin flying for the airline. The training for this is usually only available during peak hours, when the airline needs extra help, and may only be available at certain locations.
5. Flight School Workload Expectations
Flight schools should define clear guidelines of what they can reasonably expect of you, which are normally determined by the number of hours their students log in-training at their facility each year.
Conclusion
The information presented in this article is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. It is advisable to consult an attorney in your area for legal concerns.
When choosing a flight school, it is important to be knowledgeable of the different types of flight schools and what they are best suited for. In the end, it is up to you to decide which flight school best fits your needs and expectations, but no matter which type of school you attend, your safety will always be their highest priority.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that each pilot have a minimum amount of time under a qualified instructor (a Certified Flight Instructor [CFI] or "CFII").