Student pilots soon learn flying is an investment.
As with any investment, it is prudent to become an
educated consumer. Not only is flight training an
investment of time, energy and money, but an investment
in yourself. You need to be knowledgeable. Don't be
afraid to ask questions. Trust your instincts. If
you find yourself being intimidated by a flight school
or you're just not comfortable, keep shopping until
you find the right atmosphere for you. If you have
a question that isn't answered here - contact
us and we will be happy to help.
Start by finding the schools in your area and then
call and visit them. Look around and have an instructor
explain the school's training program. Ask a lot of
questions. Ask students how they feel about their training
experiences. Are they happy with the school? Have they
had scheduling problems with instructors or airplanes?
The student pilot is paying for this service.
Join a local flying club.
Local flying clubs are often an excellent way to reduce
the cost of learning and is a good way to get to know
other pilots in your area. You can benefit greatly from
the club interaction. Clubs are less expensive because
the club members take care of their own aircraft and
facilities. You can learn a lot about your aircraft
from participating with other club members in these
activities.
Talk to as many pilots as possible.
The aviation community is small, and there is a brotherhood
(and a sisterhood) among pilots. The only thing pilots
like to do more than fly is to talk about flying. There
are years and years of experience waiting for you when
you start a conversation with an experienced pilot.
Online discussion groups such as rec.aviation.student
can we a valuable source of information.
You and your instructor will be spending a lot of
time together, so choose a CFI that matches your personality.
Different people learn differently, and different instructors
teach differently, and when student and CFI differences
clash, your training will probably not go as well. If
you can't understand a prospective CFI's answers to
your questions, and the CFI can't reword answers so
you do understand, you will likely have similar problems
in training. If the two of you can communicate clearly,
take an introductory flight lesson to see how you get
along in the airplane. In the end, only time will validate
your CFI selection. But if your CFI isn't working out,
don't be afraid to change.
What's a ground school?
Flight training is divided into two parts, ground
school and flight training. Ground school teaches you
the principles, procedures, and regulations you will
put into practice in an airplane -- how a wing generates
lift, how to navigate from one airport to another, and
in kind of weather you can fly. To earn your pilot certificate,
you must pass a computerized FAA knowledge test (with
a score of at least 70 percent). You can attend a scheduled
classroom ground school, do a self study course, or
take the Aviationwise
Online Ground School. Regardless of the option you
chose, you'll need an instructor's endorsement to take
the knowledge test. (Upon satisfactory completion
of your course, our instructors provide your required
written endorsement)
