“I want to get my pilot’s license.” This is one of the most common first sentences I hear from a potential new student. Usually followed by, “when are you available,” or, “what do I need to do.” These are good, valid questions. New students are trying to understand the process and are eager to get into an airplane and get started. It can feel like climbing the first of many hills. Choosing a flight school isn’t just signing up; it’s hiring a professional to guide your training.
I usually answer the question with a question: what do you want to do with your piloting? Fly for a career or fly for fun? Fly your family on trips or fly island tours in the Caribbean? Starting with the end can be a good way to shape the beginning. It then leads to a conversation about how to get there, what needs to be done, and eventually, making plans to meet.
But there’s a bigger question behind this conversation. One person with a need is looking for a service. The service is a teacher with authorized privileges. If you were building a house, you probably wouldn’t first ask the inspector how soon can he come. You might talk with an architect about your ideas. Even better, you might ask the architect about her design philosophy, her influences, or maybe look at some prior work. Choosing a place to learn to fly can follow this same approach.
Over the course of your training, you’re going to get to know the instructor well. You’re likely going to spend months with this person, and probably dozens of hours together in a tight space. You’ll memorize the sound of their voice, the intonations when something was done well, or the change when it didn’t. You’ll want to choose a place where the facility, the plane, and the instructors fit your needs and goals.
So what questions should you ask? Consider asking about how they approach the type of training you want, or what type of flight training they specialize in. Ask about their philosophy of teaching, and what they do to help students learn effectively. Rather than ask how long it will take, ask about how the instructor works to help you stay on a schedule. You could also ask what training looks like in practice, or how they run a typical lesson.
You’re not just booking a lesson. You’re choosing a professional to guide your training. The right questions will help you find the right instructor.