by Ben Trimble

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 15, 2009

Choosing the right flight school is very important. This is one of the most overlooked aspects of flight training. Here are a couple of things you should remember as you choose a flight school.

One of the most important things you need to think about is location. Even if you aren't planning to be an airline pilot, location of your flight school is very important. If you are just going to fly for fun, a flight school that is located near where you live would be perfect. It doesn't really matter what size the airport is. You could train at a small airport with no control tower. That would be just fine. Now, on the other hand, if you are planning to be an airline pilot, you really need to think about where your flight school is located. You would definitely want to train at a larger, tower controlled airport. This is because you need to become familiar with airport operations and dealing with other traffic. Airlines look at your flight time when you are in the hiring process. They like to see experience at large airports. If you don't live near a large airport, it is worth it to travel to get to a large airport. Either way, location matters.

The next thing you need to think about is price. Different instructors charge different prices, and you also need to consider the cost of plane rental and gas. Getting your private licence can be very expensive. Then, if you are planning to fly professionally, you need to think about the cost of all the other licences and ratings you will need. Then, the tests you will take also cost money. Flying is expensive and you need to make a budget for your training.

Another thing you need to think about is what kind of training you want. What does the school look like? Is the building run down or brand new? Is the building maintained? These are some questions you need to ask yourself as you look for a flight school. Sometimes, the old, rundown flight schools will have the most experience in flight and flight training. They may not look as good on a resume, but they can give you much needed experience and friendly instructors.

Now, you will want to pick an instructor as well. You should know your learning style. You know who the best instructor for you is. You just need to find them. Different student pilots have different needs and that is why there are different instructors. Choosing an instructor is arguably the most important aspect of your flight training. They will influence your flying techniques, decisions, and style. You need to make sure you choose the right instructor. Just do some research, and look at their backgrounds before you make your decision.

Another factor is availability. At smaller airports, there will be less aircraft to choose from, as well as a less flexible training schedule due to the low number of aircraft and instructors at that airport. Larger airports will give you more options in your flight training.

Finally, you need to just do some research. Ask around, you never know what you could learn from the word of mouth. Just make sure you make a good decision. Go into the situation with the knowledge you need.

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