As a child, you looked up into the sky and wanted to fly when you saw the airplane atop your head. Now that the time has come to choose your professional career, you know you want to become a pilot. No one knows it better than you that flying the craft yourself is a rewarding and exhilarating experience.
To gain that skill, you will have to enrol yourself in a flight school. Professional pilot programs are expensive and serve a critical part in your making your career. Therefore, you must choose the school wisely. Until you have stepped in, you will not know what you should exactly check. Therefore, we have enlisted here what are the factors you should look for:
- Goals: First, set your goal. Determine if you want to learn flying as a hobby or a professional career.
- Location: You can choose to avail a flight training program in your place of residence, country or abroad. Location is a factor affecting the course fee. If you avail of a flight school in a foreign country, you will additionally have to consider the cost of living for staying in that area. You will save this fee if you are taking the training from the comfort of your home. However, there are other things that you will have to take before making a choice, for example – Training at a small regional airport having multiple programs may be good for you if you want to learn to fly aircraft as a hobby or recreation, but if you intend to be a professional pilot, a flight school at a larger airport will teach you the necessary skills such as communicating with the air traffic control; or, if the airspace in your region is busy, has limited aircraft but more students, you will get lesser hours to fly, thus extending the time needed to complete the course. In addition, less time to practice means limiting your space to practice the information you have newly learned. Factors like these may add to the cost of your learning.
- Training schedule and Cost: Determine how fast you want the training completed and obtain the license. What is your budget? Also, make sure you have proof-checked the hidden costs and scams, if any, before you make the payment.
- Safety: Safety is a very crucial thing to look for before choosing your flight school. Does the school you are looking for treat safety as a priority? Did it ever have its certificates revoked? Ask questions to the school on this line, such as its safety records, maintenance of the aircraft, and defect reporting system.
A reason for the expense of pilot training has to do with the maintenance of the aircraft, which involves checking whether the airplane is fit to fly, replacement of numerous parts of the aircraft, including its engine, renewal of certificates, and so on which is expensive. It is a necessary accident prevention check. It is important for your safety and will prepare you to work in an industry where most companies treat safety as a high priority. The curriculum of Hillsboro Aero Academy is FAA-approved, and it offers training for both FAR Part 61 and Part 141
- Reputation: Check the internet. Talk to the current students about their experience and the alumni for their recommendation. Take test training and see how you feel about the different aspects. Also, visit other hangars and find out what they have to say about the school. They generally will not lie; however, it’s best to take it with a pinch of salt and use your judgment.
Conclusion
We wish you success in your search ahead!
Read also: Tips to Choose the Best Primary School in Singapore!
