THE NEW PILOT
SELECTING A FLIGHT SCHOOL: FLIGHT LESSONS AND LIFE LESSONS
The first time an aspiring pilot leaves the runway and enters the sky there is an immediate sense of wonder. Whether in a Cessna 172, Piper Warrior, or an Apollo Trike, suddenly, those childhood dreams of flight become a reality as aspiring pilots experience the joy of actually piloting an aircraft. Unfortunately, the joy and wonder of flight is often – too often – balanced by the reality of flight schools and flight lessons. Given that approximately 60 percent of new pilots do not complete flight training there appears to be some kind of disconnect between the joy of that first lesson and the reality of earning a pilot license.
Proper flight planning – for flight training – can help.
Understand, in sports, the foremost reason athletes drop out from participation is a loss of fun in the sport. The second most critical reason is bad coaching! Looking at the sport of aviation, while a flight school might suggest that high costs are the leading cause of drop outs, which sounds somewhat plausible, it is also true that most students are provided with suggested costs at the onset and likely would not initiate training if this, alone, would lead to dropping out.
In truth, this may not be solely about money.
Understand, as a comparison, while state agencies typically sponsor training for boating licenses, and do not operate on a profit motivating basis, flight schools are largely a private enterprise and some – not all – focus more on financial success than fun. When that begins to occur, student interest wanes. In reality, when profit drives teaching, instructors, like coaches, forget to emphasize fun. Okay. It’s out there. This unstated focus has now been stated. Flight schools and flight instructors may not be as skillful, as knowledgeable, and as focused on developing a fun learning environment as could be ideal. Unfortunately, while students and parents scouting prep schools or colleges typically scrutinize potential schools and would not, by and large, simply choose the closest school, aspiring pilots too often are lost in the wonder of aviation and do not think to ask the kind of pointed questions which could help enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes. Partially, and as one outcome, it is common for aspiring students to need to change schools and flight instructors either when the instructor accepts employment at an airline, and abruptly leaves the local flight school, or students sometimes change schools out of a sense of frustration.
Of course, with an informed entry, students might enhance the likelihood of success, and enter flight training with a more informed perspective. Just as potential college students might ask key questions to best determine fit, so to, aspiring pilots might ask a series of questions designed to help educate the consumer about flight training.
Consider these points and questions:
1). Clarify your focus. Ask pointed questions! How many students has the school, and your instructor specifically trained for the license and/or rating you are investigating? (Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Etc.). Is their answer a match? We have heard, for example, schools denounce sport pilot training! What is your goal? Look for a solid match. If concerned, consider other options.
2). What kind of outcome data does the school report? In other words, what is the mean (average) and mode (most common) number of hours students took to earn that license or rating? Be alert! Ask for hours from start to finish as it could be easy to highlight lower hours with “transfer” students. When earning my Instrument Rating, as example, an owner pointed out I took much longer than a fellow who completed training in less than 15 hours. But I knew this negative comment was not accurate as the pilot had transferred after considerable training in another flight school. Use your best listening skills. Outcome data can inform your decision making.
3). What was the Pass rate, on the first attempt, at the FAA Examination for this license and/or rating? Ask about both the written examination as well as the practical (ie. Flying) test. If the data is appealing, ask to talk to both graduates and advanced students. Ask graduates school strengths and weaknesses. Ask if they would pursue that same path again.
4). Ask about financial costs. What did it financially cost for their students to earn the rating? If appropriate, compare costs for students training in both rental planes as well as in personally owned aircraft. Also, ask if this covers the costs of student insurance. Make a list on two comparable programs.
5). Gather background data on the school. How long has the school been in existence? How long have the instructors been at the school? What is the background of these instructors? How many have college degrees and in what areas? (This can help suggest a “goodness of fit” between your background and that of the instructor). Take a tour. Make notes. Listen carefully.
6). What is the curriculum the school utilizes? Many schools use a structured curriculum. While curriculums can vary, it is important to thoughtfully examine that curriculum to understand if it fits your learning style and whether the instructor has the experience to individualize the curriculum to your objectives. Great teachers individualize learning. Mediocre teachers can overly rely on a standardized curriculum. Consider if the curriculum matches your goals.
7). Where will the flying occur? While this may seem obvious – in the sky – the reality is that some instructors have students fly farther from the local airport, incorporating learning into longer cross-country excursions and using offices and restaurants at multiple airports as classrooms for review. Other schools? Many flight schools have a local “practice area” where a school conducts training. Each approach has strengths and weaknesses. The former can offer great opportunities to learn real world flying skill while tapping a large learning area while the latter can reduce the anxiety of unknown airports by emphasizing local familiarity. Ask about their orientation. Weigh your goals. Which approach best fits you!
8). Ask about the fleet. How large is the fleet? Are planes new or old. Does the school use low wing planes or high wings? Do they use newer glass cockpits or older steam gauges? If planes are undergoing maintenance are others available? How are planes equipped? Will GPS technology be used? Look at the fleet. Sit in the planes. Do you like and feel comfortable in their fleet?
9). Ask about Simulators and FAA Approved Flight Training Devices. Modern simulator technology can offer students an unprecedented opportunity to learn new and challenging skills at a reduced cost and without the distractions often common in actual flying. As example, in the air, coping with winds and planning wind correction angles and learning to listen to airport weather can feel overwhelming at the onset. With simulator technology, though, many basic skills can be learned with reduced stress. Ask if such technology is used and about access. Ask graduates if this tool was valuable.
10). Will training largely occur at towered or non-towered airports? Many students train at towered, busier, airports. This requires more intensive radio communication and taxiing skills, though, while non-towered airports tend to be somewhat less congested and can offer a more relaxed pace for a student pilot. In real world flying, both experiences are necessary to maximize travel opportunities. How does your proposed flight school balance both worlds? Which environment is at the school’s location?
11). Given the expense of flight training it can be helpful to orient friends and family to rewards ultimately associated with that license or rating. Can a loved one accompany a student on a selected flight? Often this can help family and loved ones better envision the outcomes of actually acquiring a license or rating. While it might not be wise to have someone aboard when practicing “stalls” and “unusual attitudes” it might be appropriate on longer cross country excursions. In fact, this can create a lasting memory for students, build pilot loyalty, and even provide modest advertising as family members share the tale with their friends. Ask about such moments.
12). Are graduates provided any rewards for completing an entire training sequence with a school? For example, will graduates have any benefits as a future renter? Will any reductions be provided for advanced training or for periodic flight reviews after completing a full program. Just as many automotive dealers offer specific rewards for purchasers, so too, ask about flight school rewards.
13). How does the flight school address student weaknesses? That is to say, given that many students train for longer periods than is actually required by federal regulations, how do flight schools address these occasions. Remember that flight schools collect considerable fees for student training and actually benefit from students who require extra hours of flight training. With a financial reward for the school, then, how do flight schools address this potentiality? Gasp! Will lessons be free after the suggested training hours while students absorb rental and fuel costs? Or, are students simply out-of-luck? Compare and contrast responses. Be sure to weigh outcome data from at least two schools.
14) Have you compared local training with out-of-state training? Just as skiers often travel to distant resorts for race camps or advanced ski school programs, so too, aspiring pilots might consider aviation programs at distant locales where training can occur without the distractions and interruptions of everyday life. Truly, do not immediately discount programs in more distant locales. In many cases, there can be many advantages to such a concentrated approach.
15). Be realistic. Weigh your goals with the information you have acquired. Are you looking to fly as a private pilot or is this one step in a career path targeting a career as a professional pilot? If the latter what is the employment of graduates? With either goal, how do graduates describe their experiences? Be objective. Consider a flight school which can best match your plans and goals.
Aviation businesses – flight schools – are selling services and flight training is, indeed, an expensive undertaking. Too often, though, aspiring pilots lost in the romance of aviation do not thoughtfully explore training options, costs, and outcomes. Partially as a result, the majority of individuals who enter flight training never complete that course of study. While intense scrutiny cannot guarantee success, it can help make for a better informed consumer.
How can you best turn your dream
into a reality?
Here at The Atlantic Flyer we think aviation can be an extraordinary adventure. Indeed. Are you interested in acquiring a sport pilot license or are you interested in a private pilot license with an appropriate rating for ultimately piloting a high performance aircraft? High wing Cessnas? Low wing Piper? Sport Pilot? Private Pilot? Instrument Training? Indeed, aspiring pilots have an extraordinary array of flying and training options. At the same time, it can be and usually is expensive. In today’s economy, just as traveler’s search for the best airfares for travel destinations, so too, aspiring pilots should thoughtfully investigate training options. In truth, no two flight schools are the same and the focus and costs can vary dramatically. In our experiences at the paper, we have met hard-nosed businessmen who see flight schools as business adventures and we have also met instructors striving to serve as aviation educators. Forewarned is forearmed. Choose the program which best fits your needs.
Be aware. Fly With Care.
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OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
1). Soaring: If on a low budget investigate a soaring club. Glider training can often be quite cost effective.
2). Flying Clubs: Sometimes clubs offer reduced training costs.
3). Civil Air Patrol: If a youngster is involved consider the Civil Air Patrol as costs can be reduced notably.
4). Sport Pilot Training: Truly, do not immediately discount Sport Pilot training. Sport Pilot Licenses were developed to reduce costs. While privileges are not equal to that of a Private Pilot. Sport Pilots cannot fly at night as example it might fit individual goals.
5). Consider Fun Alternatives: In truth, there are many options which might meet your goals. Examples? Powered Parachutes, Balloons, and Trikes. Tampa Bay Aerosports in Florida, as example – a place I would love to visit – has a fabulous web site involving Apollo Trikes. Truthfully, any pilot would find this sport adventurous.
By Tony Crespi a Instrument Rated Private Pilot with both Complex and High Performance Endorsements. Based at Hartford-Brainard Airport, he and his wife Cheryl own a Mooney M20 K. He publishes his work frequently in a range of newspapers and travel publications.