Tips on Flight Training

Whether it’s for recreational purposes, a part time hobby or even a full time career, there are a lot of different reasons people take up flight training. Learning to fly and taking aviation lessons may not be a simple and easy decision to make, as it takes a lot of resources and requires a lot of responsibilities. Before would-be pilots start their lessons, they must first take a lot of things into consideration such as their location, budget, choosing flight schools and renting or buying a plane.

Finding the right flight school is very crucial in getting the best flight education possible. There are aeronautical universities that offer a four-year aviation degree program and it takes about four to six months to complete the Commercial Pilot License training program. Under Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), getting a private pilot certificate requires at least 40 hours of training. It can stretch to over 60 to 75 hours, depending on the student’s ability and how often they take classes. For commercial pilots, their flight training`s range from 190 to 250 hours.

When putting together a list of potential flight schools, request a brochure or any other relevant literature from them as well. While this can give you a general idea about their curriculum and flight regulations and safety procedures, visiting the school can give you broader information on their facilities and their flight instructors as well. Other details to check are the school’s reputation and how long it’s been around, the credentials of the staff and instructors and if the school’s philosophy and objectives are right for you. To avoid any problems of meeting the Federal Aviation (FAA) requirements for certification, the training instructor should have the right certifications and the certified instrument instructor rating. Besides researching the instructor’s background and asking other students for information, taking an introductory flying class is also one way to assess the instructor.

For those taking part time flight training, set a regular schedule because this increases retention, competency and also confidence. Aside from learning to control the aircraft, ground study and understanding the importance of flight safety is an important aspect of training. This can be accomplished through an educational video, a computer program or in a traditional classroom. Check if the flight school will allow students access to the aircraft beyond the scheduled class hours, just to get more familiarized with the cockpit and other controls.

Getting quality training can cost a significant amount of money so it’s important to get the best of what you pay for. When looking at different flight schools, compare their costs as well. Most schools require advance payment upfront, so ask for possible refunds, just in case there’s a need to stop the training for whatever reason. Instructor fees and aircraft rental are sometimes bundled with the training package. Other charges are also measured with a Hobbs meter, which starts when the engine starts running, even if the plane is still on the ground. Keep in mind that being financially ready is not enough, having enough determination and discipline still counts in order to complete any flight training program.