There are people who are lucky to live near many flight schools. In such a case, comparing the packages becomes a very easy thing. However, regardless of the number of schools that are available, it is important to consider some things that will ensure that you end up in the best school.
Just like selecting any other school, you don’t pick the very first school that you come across. You need to consider the aircraft that is used, the kind of instructors they have, as well as the training environment. Flying is fun and so should be the training. Below are some of the factors that have to be considered.
The cost
You should never expect flying lessons to be cheap. This is why most students will try to save as much as they can before they start. It is also reasonable to compare prices of different schools so as to reduce costs.
When you are comparing the costs, don’t concentrate on the rental costs only. Other things like the fee structure, aircraft rental cost, instructor fees, processing fees, taxes, fuel prices, and insurance have to be considered. You need to keep an eye open for any hidden costs. Ask any questions that you may have and get a quotation of everything you will need during the training.
The credentials and experience of the flight instructors
Choosing an instructor who has all the necessary credentials is very important, but it is not the only thing. You should find out how long such a person has been working as an instructor. Find out where they got their training. Getting more information from their former students could be an added advantage. However, you need to know that are some instructors who have been on the job for many years but aren’t as good. There are also fresh ones who just entered the market and are great. This means that flight hours alone should not be a determining factor. Find someone who makes it easy to communicate and one that helps you feel comfortable.
Reputation with the relevant bodies
Make sure that they meet all the standards that have been set in your area. The bodies can help you in determining the best schools around. Find out whether the school has had any violations in the past and if any accidents have been reported. You do not want to invest money in a school with issues. An airport terminal or other such business can also help you in making such a determination.
Lesson plans and course structure
Different regulations are used by different flight schools. You need to determine the regulations that are in use even though the end result is usually the same. The only difference is the methods that are used in training. Depending on your own schedule, you may find that some regulations are quite structured and the instructor can actually change the lessons. This allows room for some flexibility and may suit someone who has a tight schedule.