Choosing A Flight School
You’ve started networking, learned about pilot careers, taken your discovery flight, and completed your FAA medical exam. Now it’s time to choose a flight school.
Start by asking yourself what your long-term goals in aviation are. It doesn't have to be too specific. It could be as simple as "professional pilot" or "hobby." Do you need to find something close to home or are you willing to move? Making those basic decisions will help narrow down your options. As you begin searching for the best training school, here’s a list of factors you’ll need to take into consideration:
Civilian vs Military
College Aviation vs Flight School
Small School vs Large Academy
Part 61 Training vs Part 141 Training
Location
Safety and Reputation
Total Cost and Financing Options
Airline Cadet Programs
Local Flight School vs Large Training Academy
Every flight school feels a little different. Some are regimented, profession-oriented programs, and others may exist to train students at their own pace. This contributes to the first big decision for many aspiring pilots… Should you train at a local flight school or a large training academy? But wait! I thought you meant to say Part 61 vs Part 141 training? Actually no… To be very clear, one is not better than the other. You can find excellent, thorough training under both sets of regulations.
Generally speaking, Part 61 training courses are less governed by FAA regulations, more suited for individual student needs, and are found at smaller flight schools. Part 141 training on the other hand has a structured curriculum approved by the FAA. You’ll find Part 141 courses more typically at larger flight schools that have less flexibility to tailor training to an individual’s goals. Some flight schools will even offer both Part 61 and Part 141 training courses, so you may end up doing both at some point in your training career. I know, it’s a little confusing.
To make things a little more simple, I’ve broken down our discussion of choosing a flight school between small, local schools and larger academy-like programs. I would focus more on the reputation of the school and its ability to train you quickly rather than on which regulations govern the operation.
If you’re planning to become a professional pilot, enrolling in a large flight academy can give you a big leg up. They’ll have more airplanes, resources instructors, simulators, and airline partnerships to accelerate your career progression. If you want to be a professional pilot quickly, I highly recommend finding a flight training academy instead of a small, local flight school.
But since you’re probably wondering, let’s talk a little about the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 Flight Courses…
Part 61 Flight Courses are not directly governed by an FAA curriculum. They usually allow you to complete training on an "as-needed" basis. That means you'll be able to train a little more flexibly, both time-wise and lesson-wise, which works for people who have full-time careers or family needs that they can’t put on hold. You instructor will be able to tailor lessons around their teaching style and your learning needs.
Part 141 Flight Courses utilize an FAA-approved training curriculum, which you must follow. That means all of your flight training must be completed within that course, at that school, with the exception of your initial Private Pilot Certificate. Part 141 courses are known for being more structured than their Part 61 counterparts, and usually contain strict lesson plans and regimented timelines. This can be a good thing if you want to progress through training quickly.
You can find BOTH standalone Part 61/141 schools, or Part 61/141 programs contained within college aviation degrees. If college isn’t the right choice for you, but you still want a degree, many pilots will take classes online during their time off as they build flight time.
Collegiate Aviation Programs
Let’s talk college. When I was in high school, I’d already decided that I wanted to become a pilot. At the time, every legacy airline required a 4-year college degree (the degree field never mattered as much as the educational background itself). While many airlines have dropped degree requirements, it still gives you a competitive edge when applying. Choosing a degree like Aviation Management will combine a business degree with flight training, providing you with a foundation for a backup career. I visited my alma mater, the University of North Dakota, to produce the following video highlighting what you should know about college aviation programs.
One of the biggest benefits found in college aviation programs is the extensive network of airline partnerships they’ve formed. You’ll find programs like United Aviate and Delta Propel, some of which are available only for students that have successfully applied while in school. Some low-cost carriers are even introducing direct-entry programs for select colleges, where you can begin your airline career flying an A320 or B737 right after building flight time as a CFI.
Flight School Cost
Cost is always a major factor, and you can end up with nearly identical career opportunities regardless of where you go to school... So be extremely cautious choosing any school that's significantly more expensive in comparison to other options. After one year of living in North Dakota, you automatically qualify for in-state tuition at UND. This dramatically lowers the cost of education in comparison to similar programs. Look for options like this to reduce your cost, especially if you’re combining flight school with a college education.
Financing your training is often a little easier since private and federal student loans can be applied to flight training (it’s a degree requirement). If you’re not headed to a collegiate aviation program, ask the flight school what type of loans they can accept and if they have partnered with any finance providers.
Click here to learn more about financing your flight training.
Airline Cadet Programs
Airline Cadet Programs are quickly becoming one of the most popular routes to the flight deck. Having the support of an airline as you start your career can be invaluable, especially if you have no aviation background. In exchange for an employment commitment, you also might find reduced training costs. Some airlines own and operate their own flight school, like the United Aviate Academy. You’ll also find airline partnerships with existing colleges and flight schools around the country (United Aviate, Delta Propel, etc). With an unmatched worldwide demand for new pilots, there’s been no better era to start training than right now.
Airlines, especially regional carriers with contracted flying under a larger airline’s name, are desperate to maintain staffing levels to continue flying. Because of that, many of the cadet programs you’ll find exist for the purpose of staffing these regional carriers. In contrast, major airlines like United, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, etc, usually have enough qualified applicants to avoid feeling a recruitment squeeze. Airline cadet programs can be an excellent path, but be cautious when making contractual commitments early in your career. A few of the best airlines operating when I became a student pilot are out of business today, and there’s no telling what the next few years will hold. Read your offer carefully. And if you can, wait until you’re close to being airline-qualified before making a choice.
Military Flight Training
What about military training? While this isn’t the direction I chose for my career, the military is just as desperate for pilots as the airlines. The flying you’ll be able to do in the military is unmatched by anything the civilian world can offer. But keep in mind, there’s a lengthy military service commitment attached to “free” flight training. I flew with the US Air Force Thunderbirds to produce a video detailing the steps it takes to become an Air Force pilot. If you’re struggling with financing your dream career, this could be a great option for you.
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” flight school.
Finding the right flight school is an extremely personal decision. Do your research, ask your network about their experiences, and make a visit to see if a school is a fit for you. Don’t start training until you have a clear financial plan in place. And remember to enjoy every step because training is a long process!
