Want To Be A Pilot? Choose The Right Flight Training School

Even before the Wright brothers famous flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17, 1903, people have dreamed of flying. Leonardo da Vinci was imagining ways man could fly way back in 1485. Even the ancient Greek engineer known as the Hero of Alexandria experimented with air pressure in efforts to propel man skyward. The dreams of these ancients are now a reality.

Today mankind has realized the dream of flight and training schools help people attain the skills necessary to fly mostly airplanes and helicopters. There are over 1,400 certified flight schools in Sydney alone however, choosing the right one for you takes a little research. But the rewards of safely going into the wild blue yonder will be well worth the effort and time.

According to one not so encouraging estimate, at least one flight school goes out of business each week in the U.S. That doesn’t mean flight training schools put you at risk, it just means you have to ask a few questions before choosing one. What questions should you ask?
Start with stability. Ask how long a school has been in business. Ask what is provided by the school. Prospective flight training students are often prepared to pay an enrollment fee, then are taken by surprise when charged for the extras such as equipment and uniforms. Some schools include this in the price, others do not. It’s best to ask about all fees upfront to avoid unpleasant surprises that may cause you to give up on your training before it is complete, making it a waste of your time and money.

Safety is another important factor. Ask to see a safety report for at least the last five years. Even incidents caused by bad weather could be a red flag, indicating that the flight school is located in a place not suited for regular flight training. If you suspect the flight training school is not being honest about its safety record, you can research it yourself by contacting your local Better Business Bureau or using government websites such as the federal government website.

Quality is another factor in choosing a flight school. Ask about the qualifications of the instructors and if their certifications are up to date. Ask for references from past students. This is often your best source, since past students no longer have an obligation to school and are more likely to be honest. Employers are also a good source of reference for quality. Employers want to hire top notch students from the best schools.

With a little research beforehand and by asking the right questions about what flight training schools, you may soon be safely soaring into the heavens.