?s to ask when choosing a school

stultus

stultus

New Member
It's down to the wire, I've prolonged this almost too long, I need to decide on a flight school. I've asked every imaginable question at the schools I've looked at. I'm wondering if there's a list of questions somewhere on JC that are "must asks" when talking with flight school reps?
 
I think it would be a good idea to go visit the schools you are thinking about attending. Try to talk to some of the students, they will most likely give you a good representation on how things really are. Before I started training, I looked at a few different academies and FBO schools and felt they all were telling me what I wanted to hear. I talked to a few students at my current school, before I attended, and I wish I would have taken their advice.
 
I was asking myself the same question about 2 weeks ago. Then I went through the different academy forums on this site and browsed through every page of topics and read the ones that interested me.

For me I decided I either want to attend Ari Ben, FSA, or ATP. My problem is ATP is the quickest way to get up to MEI, CFI, and CFII, but it is not a part 141 school and I will be using VA benifits if I can. The VA requires the school to be part 141 certified to use the benifits towards training.

Then again in 3 years when I do finally go to one, maybe the right seat direct program will be lucrative enough at FSA and ill just pay all the money and hope my prior studying will pay off. Good luck in your choice and keep us updated in your decision.
 
In oz mate, a big one is who will be teaching you?
A grade 1, 2 or 3 instructor?
3 being a newbie, and 1 being at least 1000hr instructing time...

you dont want all your time to be with a newbie.

Hope this help,

Aussie
 
[ QUOTE ]
In oz mate, a big one is who will be teaching you?
A grade 1, 2 or 3 instructor?
3 being a newbie, and 1 being at least 1000hr instructing time...

you dont want all your time to be with a newbie.

Hope this help,

Aussie

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, hockeypoop!!
grin.gif
Some of my best instructors have been extremely low-time pilots, and I've had krusty fellows that sucked horribly (Kingairer knows a couple of them...).
 
A must ask is their safety record! You'll probably find that most places will have some minor accidents-- which can be expected at a training facility... you just don't want to end up somewhere that has had a lot of mechanical problem related incidents.
 
Go visit the schools you are interested in. Look at their aircraft, inside and out. How clean are they?Talk to the students and instructors. Ask the students how they like it there. What are the chances of employment once you've completed your instructor ratings. Will they hire you? How long instructing until you can instruct in the twin (if they have one). Maybe even take a discovery flight, you can get one for 49 bucks. What's the airspace like? If it's real busy you will spend lots of time and $ taxiing and waiting to get back in if you're out flying in the practice area. Do they have block rates? What's it take to get the block rate. How many instructors, how many students. Can you fly every day if you want? (Some schools have CFI's that are so busy you can't) If you take out a loan, can you withdraw the funds into your own bank account (IMPORTANT!) Will they refund any money not spent on flight training if you have it on account. How many flights per week on average are cancelled due to mechanical issues. I could probably think of more, but it's late and I'm tired. Good luck and happy searching.
 
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