The path to becoming a pilot starts with enrolling in flight school. However, not every flight school offers the same quality of instruction. It is of the utmost importance that you choose a flight school which will meet your needs and teach you everything you need to know in order to become a successful pilot. But, how to make this choice? It can be difficult with so many flight schools in Georgia to choose from. Well, in this guide, we’ll take a look at all of the things you should consider when deciding which flight school is right for you. This can also be useful information for those who are already enrolled in a flight school, but are interested in transferring.
Choose a Flight Training Program
First, you will need to decide on the type of flight training program you want to participate in. Generally, there are two options. These are part 61 and part 141. Part 61 is the more flexible and informal option. Lesson content and schedule can be tailored to the needs of the student. This makes it a good option for people with existing responsibilities or for people who are only interested in flying as a hobby.
Part 141, on the other hand, is the more serious option. This program follows a strict, FAA-approved syllabus. The schedule is also more rigorous, with students taking classes full-time. However, this means that it can be completed much faster than its part 61 counterpart. Part 141 is the best option for those who want to make a career out of flying.
Once you’ve decided which program to pursue, you can focus your search on flight schools that offer it.
Review Success of Former Students
Nothing can help you determine the efficacy of a particular flight school more than the success of their former students. This may require some legwork on your part. The easiest way to see how former students are doing is social media. LinkedIn can be particularly effective for this. Look up former students and see what positions they’re in now. If many have risen through the ranks and are currently successful pilots, it is a good indicator that the school taught them well. However, if many students have had trouble attaining desirable jobs such as airline pilot, or have left flying altogether, then it is probably a sign that the school does not do well at preparing students for the job market.
Review Accreditations
You should also be sure to review any and all accreditations that a flight school has. It should definitely be accredited by the FAA. A school that is not accredited by the FAA will usually not be worth your time. Beyond that, there are many organizations which accredit flight schools based on their own criteria. For example, the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). In general, the more accreditations a flight school has, the better. Just make sure that all accreditations are from real, well-respected institutions.
Determine Career Goals
It is important to know your career goals when choosing a flight school. For those who only want to fly for recreation, any flight school with a good curriculum might do. However, if you hope to someday become an airline pilot or similar, you should focus your search on flight schools that can help make that dream a reality. Try to find a flight school that has a partnership with an airline, or helps students to become certified flight instructors. This will make it much easier for you to enter the workforce when you complete flight school.
Assess Requirements
Different flight schools will have different requirements. Requirements could include age, citizenship (some flight schools focus on international students, while some do not), high school GPA, and more. Look at the requirements for each school you are interested in. This can help you narrow down your options, as it is often not worth applying to a flight school if you do not meet their requirements.
Ask the Right Questions
Finally, it is important that you ask the right questions when choosing a flight school. Such questions might include:
- Is this flight school in the right location?
- Will this flight school help me start my career?
- Does this flight school offer the program I am interested in?
- Does this flight school have a knowledgeable staff?
Asking these questions can really help you choose the right flight school. Remember to take your time when choosing your school. Your choice can determine whether or not you someday take to the skies as a professional pilot.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
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