How to Choose a Flight School!

This blog covers some key factors to consider before selecting a flight school for commercial training. Although I hope it may also be useful for aspiring recreational pilots. Check out the list of example questions. You can use these as a basis for your research or print them out and take them to an open day! - Kate Lenny

Location

Some flight schools give the opportunity to relocate to a country with more favourable weather to complete some or all phases of your flight training. Better weather means more flying days; this will allow you to complete your training in a shorter timeframe which can reduce costs, and prevent the frustration of waiting for weeks for good flying weather!

However, flying in countries with more complex weather such as the UK, has several benefits. Experiencing flying conditions such as high winds will help to improve your handling skills and having to calculate for contaminated runways and use deicing procedures are good practical experiences.

Airlines that operate in specific regions will often look for pilots with relevant flying experience with in those weather conditions. Many students will choose or will have to relocate to complete their training. With the current housing crisis in the UK this is becoming more of a problem. It's a good idea to check both availability and pricing of accommodations in the area around the flight school. Some flight schools may offer accommodation, transport and even catering.

Facilities

Flight training can be conducted from small grass strip airstrips right up to some of the largest commercial airports in the world. It’s a good idea to visit the flight school in person to get a feel for the culture and environment you’ll be training in.

Controlled airports provide an experience more similar to what you’ll experience flying commercially. The air traffic controllers give you instructions that you must comply with; this is good practice for perfecting radio work and procedures in the standardised professional format. At uncontrolled airports, aircraft separation is your responsibility. The air traffic services will offer support and information but have less authority over your actions; this is great for developing situational awareness and decision-making.

Training at a very busy airport can mean spending long periods at hold points or waiting for a clearance. This can build skills for dealing with the intense pace of commercial aviation but may be a stressful environment to learn in. Time spent on the ground is time wasted and you will likely still be charged, leading to increased fees.

You should ask about the availability of different aircraft in the school. Particularly for modular training if you’re booking your own slots. Greater availability allows for more flexibility and more streamlined training. It's always a good idea to check out the maintenance facilities at the school. In-house maintenance will ensure planes spend more time flying and having an engineer nearby to ask for a second opinion is always a bonus.

The type of aircraft the training is completed in is mostly personal preference, however, the age of the fleet and the maintenance schedule can reduce the number of technical issues. If your flight school has a relevant simulator this can be used to complete some hour building for a CPL.

Course

Although you will finish with the same basic qualifications, the outline and timing of courses can vary. The main difference is between an integrated or a modular course.

A modular course provides much more flexibility and can allow you to work alongside studying. It also allows the freedom to complete sections of your training in different places, providing a range of experiences and the option to change schools if you aren't satisfied. This method is often cheaper but also requires you to plan and book your own training.

Integrated courses are structured to be completed in the shortest time possible; this will often involve completing your ATPL exams first, which can make the theoretical material harder to grasp if you have little to no prior flying experience. However, many airlines are said to have a preference for integrated students due to the high intensity and pace of the training which requires dedication and flexibility. Mentored courses work affiliated with an airline. These do not guarantee you a job but can give you an advantage when interviewing for the affiliated airline.

Some courses allow you to obtain a university degree alongside flight training. In light of the job layoffs experienced during the Covid pandemic, this can be a good option to allow you to stand out in the job market and provides you with a backup qualification. This will also make you eligible for a student loan. However, this will extend your training and is often not the focus of the flight school.

It's important to research which qualifications are needed for the specific job or airline you're most interested in and check which of these are included in the course. This includes an EASA or CAA license; some flight schools offer dual licensing which will provide more options when looking for a job.

Financials

The cost of flight training is one of if not the greatest barrier to training and there is currently no real solution in the UK. The cost of a course will be dependent on all the variables mentioned thus far and more.The recent unexpected closure of two of the largest flight schools in the UK has highlighted the importance of considering the financials of the flight school. These closures have caused students to lose significant amounts of money, in some cases setting their training back indefinitely.

For integrated courses never pay everything upfront, ensure there is a scheduled payment plan. Check if the flight school offers a training guarantee. This can vary between schools but will usually help to cover the costs of any additional training or exam fees in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Courses that include a degree will give you access to a basic student loan to pay for the degree as well as a maintenance loan to help pay for living expenses. This will not include any financial support for the flight training itself. Some flight schools are partnered with loan companies, this is a high-risk option, be sure to research the company and the conditions of the loan.

Reputation

This can be difficult to discern as if a flight school doesn't have a good reputation, they aren't going to tell you! Asking the flight school about both their safety records and the number of graduates that have gone into jobs will give you an idea.

Check if the flight school is affiliated with any airlines or other reputable companies. Ask graduate students and personnel involved in the industry what they know about the school. Search for online reviews and forums. But remember, one bad experience is not representative of the school, and each person will have different priorities.

The best way to learn more about a flight school is to attend an open day or book a tour. This will allow you to get a feel for the atmosphere of the flight school, the local area and the staff. Having a good relationship with your instructor and peers will directly impact how enjoyable your training is. There is no such thing as the perfect flight school and there are far more variables to consider than could ever fit into a blog. Do your research, ask lots of questions and go with your gut!