It may be one of the best times ever to learn to fly. The
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) estimates that global aviation traffic will triple between now and 2035. If you're willing to work abroad, more opportunities may be available. Flight training schools are ready to launch your career as an airline pilot.
One of the most important steps in that process is finding the right flight school. Listed below are important tips for
international students from Columbia, Bolivia, Korea and other countries.
Visiting Flight School
As suggested and recommended by many, the best way to 'interview' any potential flight school is to visit the school in person. Talk with the instructors and students, and then most importantly ask to see the maintenance hangar. What you see in the hangar is most likely an accurate clue to how the company is run. Is the hangar clean/ picked up? Do the mechanics take pride in their jobs? If you are comfortable with what you have discovered, then move forward.
FAA Regulated Part 141 Flight Schools
The flight schools that operate under FAA Regulations Part 141 should be given high consideration.
Flight schools come in two flavors, Part 61 and
Part 141, which refer to the parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) under which they operate. The most common and least important distinction between them is the minimum flight time required for the private pilot certificate (sometimes called a pilot license)—40 hours under Part 61, and 35 hours under Part 141.
Considering that the national average for earning a private pilot certificate is 60-75 hours (how long you'll take will depend on your ability and flying frequency), this difference isn't important for initial pilot training. It does make a difference to commercial pilot applicants: Part 61 requires 250 hours, and Part 141 requires 190.
What differentiates the two is structure and accountability. Part 141 schools are periodically audited by the FAA and must have detailed, FAA-approved course outlines and meet student pilot performance rates. Part 61 schools don't have the same paperwork and accountability requirements.
Learning under Part 61 rules can often give students the flexibility to rearrange flying lesson content and sequence to meet their needs, which can be of benefit to part-time students. Many Part 141 schools also train students under Part 61 rules.
Flight School Instructors Evaluation
A good flight instructor is important because your life will depend on what he or she teaches you. Don't hesitate to ask questions about the training and experience of the
flight instructors. You might ask what the average flight time is and what the pass/fail rate is among the instructors. (A pass rate of 100 percent doesn't indicate good instruction.) You might also talk to some of the other students at the school to ask about their flight instructors.
Your primary instructor should be at least a certificated flight instructor (CFI). Ensure that your instrument instructor has an instrument instructor rating (CFII). Instrument training received from a non-rated instructor can cause problems when it comes to meeting FAA requirements.
A good way to get acquainted with your flight instructor is to take an introductory flying lesson (not just a demonstration ride). During your lesson, assess your instructor's attitude. Only you can determine what personality best fits yours, but you want an instructor who expects perfection, who will work with you until it's achieved, and who cares about you as a person as well as a student.
Networking
AOPA Flight Training magazine has prepared the following general guidance information. It is intended as an aid for anyone interested in learning to fly and for selecting the aviation training organization that will meet the individual's specific needs. Without any aviation experience on which to base your decision, selecting a good flight school can be a formidable task. Aviation is procedural and not well suited to impatience. Whether you're flying an airplane or picking a school, making rash, hurried decisions can have negative consequences. Checklists are an aviation mainstay that ensure all procedures are accomplished and, therefore, make for safe flights. This same procedure can be applied to selecting a good flight school. Another way to educate yourself on aviation industry and get a professional opinion is to talk to pilots or visit their blogs.
Cost
Compared with most of your current activities, learning to fly and earning your pilot certificate (sometimes called a pilot license) may be expensive. But remember, you're investing in your education, in skills that will open new worlds and opportunities. Flying is an activity of purpose, productivity, and pleasure. It's also a never-ending learning process and as with all education, your initial pilot training provides the foundation for all that will follow. Ask the flight schools on your list if they offer
Financial Aid.Flight Schools In Florida
Location is very important when you are looking for a flight training school. Florida is a great place to earn your wings. The moderate and mild climate makes
flight training a pleasure. The good weather allows you to log more flying hours faster, get your degree quicker and be on the way sooner to your new aviation career. Ft. Pierce is a small city with friendly people – without congested traffic on the ground or in the air.
Aviator Flight School in Florida
Before spending thousands of dollars on your college education and flight training, we recommend you come and
visit us here at the Aviator. The tour will consist of visiting with our flight instructors and students, a tour of the maintenance facility, the airplanes and our housing. We will also schedule for you to ride along on one of our training flights.
For further information and to make reservations, please feel free to contact Admissions at 772-466-4822.