Where to train? Most towns are within 30 minutes of an airport and most airports have some sort of training facility. The Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association has a database of training facilities in the US. Most small and large airports have a Fixed Base Operator (FBO). The FBO provides services to aircraft such as fuel and maintenance, and often times they also provide flight training. The popularity of large "flight academies" is increasing. These schools offer more intense and regulated training. There are also traditional college flight programs that are combined with 2- or 4-year degree programs. There are benefits and draw backs to each method of training and you will find each school will have a marketing person who is more than happy to tell you their way is best. Following is information on each type of training program and our recommendations.

Training at a local Fixed Base Operator (FBO): Training at a small local flight school is very convenient for most people - especially for those who want to fly as a hobby. Training locally means you can train more often, avoid travel or moving expenses, and keep your current job. Flight schools are just like any other type of business, some are good and some are bad. So shop around; you might not think you have many options but at least find two or three to compare.

Small flight schools usually employ fewer certified flight instructors (CFIs), but they often have a more diverse group - older instructors who teach part-time, retired airline pilots, and/or pilots who instruct just for fun. The local flight schools tend to be more personable and friendly, which can make your flying experience more enjoyable.

Flight "Academies": Throughout the country there are larger schools that specialize in flight training and are designed to produce career pilots. The training at these schools is fast paced and very structured. The aircraft might be shiny and new but the costs are higher and you're competing with other students for resources. The big flight schools have less of a personal touch and the pressure of the training can limit the fun. These academies have glossy marketing advertisements that claim direct placement with the airlines and reduced training costs. This is not realistic. Just like Pepsi gives you the image that Britney Spears will strut out of the kitchen each time you open a can, the flight schools want your business and will tell you what you want to hear to try to get it. Many of the flight academies are packed with low-time instructors just trying to get their flight hours up to move on to something bigger. Don't be fooled, local FBO training is just as good as the big academies. Flight academies can be good for students who have their eyes set on the airlines, enjoy very structured training, and who have large wallets.

Aviation Colleges: There are many colleges and universities that offer aviation degrees and flight training. One question often asked is whether you need an aviation degree to make it to the airlines or as a corporate pilot. The answer is simple - no, you don't have to have an aviation degree. In fact, you don't need any degree. Keep in mind, though, that any degree gives you an advantage over job applicants with no degree. We strongly recommend that you do obtain some level of college degree. At some point in your aviation career, your resume will be sitting in a stack of 500 others, and you will want training, education and experience that will set you apart, not set you back. Aviation colleges are really only for those interested in a career in aviation; four years of flight training mixed in with normal classes can be a lot of work. The one drawback of an aviation degree is the narrowness of it - you are putting all your eggs in one basket. If you decide later that aviation is not for you or if the industry takes a dive, what's plan B?

Which is the "Best" choice? If you are interested in aviation as a hobby, we recommend a small local FBO. If you want a career in aviation, any of the three options will work. People worry too much about where they train -  the school and the instructor are only a small part of the whole process. You as the student determine the outcome of your training. You need to be dedicated and willing to put in the time and energy to be successful. As with anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. All three choices have benefits and drawbacks, but it is the student that makes or breaks the dream. Choose the one that offers the environment that you will be most successful in.

 

©2011 a New England Aviation Publications Website