Useful questions for choosing your Flying School
1. WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN CHOOSING A FLYING SCHOOL?
- The logistics of the school
- The aircraft
- The instructors
- The Simulator
- The Maintenance
- The opinions of students who have taken courses in that school
2. HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE LOGISTICS WHEN CHOOSING THE FLYING SCHOOL?
Logistics is an important factor for choice of a school that will impart training. The availability of the premises and adequate space not only for the theoretical lessons but also for the smooth running of the various pre and post-flight duties which are vital to providing a standard and a professional formation to future pilots. Workstations for briefings and debriefings, classrooms for theoretical lessons, rooms for mission planning and study spaces are a necessary support for pilot training. Doing the briefing while you are going to the aircraft, the flight plan on the aircraft wing and the debriefing at the aircraft’s parking position or even worse at the bar, are a bad example when setting the professional standard required.
3. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE AIRCRAFT WHEN CHOOSING A FLYING SCHOOL?
Aircraft are the means by which licenses and ratings are obtained, and therefore are the basis of all training. In a school that does professional training there must be a sufficient number of aircraft to permit continuity in training and to grow even in the way of performance. Doing a professional course on aircraft with different characteristics (variable pitch, EFIS instruments, turbocharged engine etc.), ensures a better career development for the student. Another aspect not to be ignored in the choice of the school is the care for the aircraft, maintenance and cleaning.
4. HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE INSTRUCTORS WHEN CHOOSING THE FLYING SCHOOL?
Crucial to the choice of a school is the analysis of the operations; namely the instructors. First you need to highlight how many full-time instructors are available in the school. The fact they are full-time ensures the continuity in teaching and the possibility to assign at crucial stages one instructor for each student. The fact that some schools say that they have several line instructors is not an added value, on the contrary, as these line instructors can give only a limited and fragmented availability. In the initial phase and in the one of transition, teaching continuity and the course of action given by one single instructor is essential. Instead, in the advanced stages, or at the end of the training, the change of instructor allows you to highlight those habits adopted by complicity with your instructor. Paramount is also the standardization of the group of instructors who, within the limits of their different personalities, represent the school’s guidelines.
5. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE SIMULATOR WHEN CHOOSING THE FLYING SCHOOL?
The flight simulator certified as FNPT I or II essentially allows in IR training to maximize the hours of training provided to analyze many aspects of instrument rating which in flight, due to traffic management, it is not possible to do. In addition, it must be taken into consideration that simulator missions can be programmed at any time and are not affected by bad weather conditions. An added convenience is also that it is possible to carry out modular MCCs for the ATPL course directly at the school, with no need to travel and at no extra cost.
6. HOW IMPORTANT IS MAINTENANCE WHEN CHOOSING THE FLYING SCHOOL?
Maintenance and care in the handling of aircraft are a sign of professionalism and safety. Well-maintained aircraft, for their cleaning as well as the mechanics, are a good calling card for the school and are more pleasant to fly. Having a maintenance facility on the premises which deals only with the school’s aircraft, allows the level of maintenance to be always at the HIGHEST level to guarantee maximum safety.
7. HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE OPINIONS OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE DONE COURSES IN THAT SCHOOL?
An important factor when choosing and evaluating a flying school should be the opinion of students who have attended various courses there. Obviously the assessment must be made asking several opinions so as to ensure a more uniform result. We at Aero Club Varese are sure of ourselves and we pride ourselves on being able to declare that our students leave the school at the end of the course with a positive view and the memory of a pleasant as well as interesting experience. In your evaluation, you must consider above all the professionalism and seriousness held during various trainings, don’t look for the easy way but rather aim for what gives a more complete and professional set up. The job world which is waiting after the license is a very selective and competitive world and professionalism during training must be present right from the start of the training.