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how to
choose the right
flying school
Cost of Course
If the school quotes you a price for training at FAA or CAA
Minimum requirements be sure to find out how much time their
average student requires for completion. The total cost may
vary significantly from the quoted price.
Budget
Will you be able to complete your training without the need
of financial aid? If not, can you afford to take out a loan?
Evaluation
Flight
Take an evaluation flight with an instructor to see if you
like the schools training procedures. Are you comfortable
with the equipment that they use?
Availability
Find out what the instructor to student ratio is. Will it be
possible to schedule flights as often as you want to fly?
Maintenance
Does the school own the aircraft that they fly and do they
have a mechanic on hand to maintain them? Make sure that
down time due to mechanical reasons will be minimal.
Geographic
Region/Time of Year
There are pros & cons of flying out of different parts of
the country and during different seasons. Will the school
experience weather conditions that may delay your training?
Depending on this issue, it may be optimal to wait a few
months before you start training, or to choose a school in a
different area.
Speak to
Students
Are current students happy with the training that they have
received? What aspects of the school do they like? What has
frustrated them? Speaking to current students is one of the
best ways to learn more about a school.
Goals
What are your aviation goals? Will this school be able to
help you along the way to make them possible?
Classroom vs Computer training for knowledge test
Do you prefer to learn in a classroom environment with other
students, or on your own through computer training? Does
this school offer the option that's best for you?
UK
flying schools
Find out where the school is
based. Is it within a reasonable distance from your home?
Take the opportunity to visit the
various school's in person.
Check the costs of training at
different school's.
Check whether ground school costs
are included within the price quoted.
Ask what type of fleet the school
has and are the aircraft well maintained.
Ask what the aircraft
availability is like.
Ask the school whether you will
have a personal instructor or different instructors throughout
your training.
When visiting the school
make sure you feel comfortable within that particular environment.
Try and speak to other students
that have used or are using the school and get their opinion.
Check whether the school has a
resident CAA Authorised Examiner.
For more information on
individual schools click on any available web links.
flight schools abroad
Does the school offer
JAA Approved Training?
Do you know anyone
who has trained at that school? How did they find it?
Does the course
include accommodation?
How much money do you
need for every day living expenses?
What is the policy if
you do not complete the course within the time stipulated?
Are the aircraft at
the school, types you will be using back in the UK?
Speak to the school
on the telephone. Ensure all the information about the school is
sent to you prior to securing a place on the course.
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