HOW TO SELECT A FLIGHT SCHOOL

There are many decisions to make when learning to fly. One of the most important is where to learn. Sure the nearest airport is convenient, but it may not offer the type of training environment you are seeking. Consider these points when selecting where to do your training:

1. Expense ~ Carefully consider the total expense of the flight school. Be sure to ask about enrollment fees, and flight instructor charges. You want to get an idea of the total cost.
2. What is the instructor to student ratio? If there are 3 instructors to every student, it's a sure sign that the school will hire any CFI that walks through the door. On the other hand, if each instructor has 10 students, you will have to schedule your flights weeks in advance to ensure the CFI is available. Customer Service ~ Are students viewed solely as a source of revenue, or is the school working to build long term, lasting relationships? Hang around the office, talk to current students, interview the instructors. Try to get a feel for the people at the school ~ do they seem happy to be there? Fleet ~ Are there enough aircraft for the volume of flying that is going on? If there are only a couple aircraft and hundreds of students and renters, the chances of getting an aircraft when you want it is slim. How does the scheduling system work? Do you have to physically visit the office or call in? Do they have online scheduling that you can do yourself from your own home? How are the aircraft cared for ?
3. What is your gut feeling? Do you feel safe and secure with the operation? Do the employees seem to know what they are doing, offering to help, and generally in a friendly mood?

HOW TO SELECT AN INSTRUCTOR

Your Flight Instructor will have the single greatest impact on your flying education. He or she can make flying fun and enjoyable, or utterly miserable. But how do you select a good flight instructor?

1. You should speak with as many flight instructors as you can.
2. Ask if they are a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors.
3. Make sure the instructor is dedicated and involved in their current job, and not just building their own experience.
4. Evaluate their personality. Is this someone you can get along with in close quarters for an extended period of time? The cockpit of an aircraft can get rather cozy and if you don't care for this person's attitude, you will not enjoy the flight.
5. Ask them to explain a topic of interest to you. Say, how a jet engine works. Is there explanation clear and concise? Do they seem to know what they are talking about?
6. Ask current and former students for recommendations. See what their experience was like, were they able to complete training in a reasonable amount of time? Were they able to fly when they wanted to? Did the instructor make himself available for questions and comments