Read below to learn more about how to choose the right flight school for your pilot training and how to get the most out of your decision!
Choosing the right flight school is an important first step in your journey to becoming a pilot. A pilot is only as good as their training, so it is vital that candidates choose the best flight school available to them to get the most out of pilot training.
Flight schools have played a pivotal role in pushing aviation forward and acting as a bridge between the public and the aviation industry. These schools, also often providing club services, are a place where pilots can learn how to obtain private and commercial licenses. However, not every school provides an umbrella of services, with some smaller schools opting to focus on more than just one type of license.
Schools like Sherburn Aero Club, on the other hand, are comprehensive and provide not just private and commercial pilot training, but also a range of tertiary services like medical licensing, hangarage, aircraft maintenance services, fuelling services, and much more.
Read below to learn more about how to choose the right flight school for your pilot training and how to get the most out of your decision!
WHAT IS A FLIGHT SCHOOL?
Just as you would obtain a car license by learning via a driving school, flight schools work in the same way, except they focus on highly meticulous training aimed at producing capable private and commercial pilots.
Flight schools have been around since the 1910s! In fact, the first flight school was opened by the Wright brothers who also happened to invent the aviation industry. Today, flight schools have come a long way, but their core operations remain the same: to provide bespoke training services to the public.
The benefit of joining flight schools is immense. Not only are you accredited with a licensed school that provides training through veteran pilots, but you also get to expand your network and learn about every aspect of aviation through school events, meetings, and workshops.
Not to mention, many large airliners also connect with flight schools to recruit pilots of tomorrow! This means that if you are a candidate going for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and develop a proven and impressive track record, then you just might secure a job at an airline before you even graduate.
Flight schools also provide several benefits to Private Pilot License (PPL) holders as well. These pilots can remain affiliated with the club services of the school and enjoy highly convenient flights using the fleet available at the school.
The club membership can open a world of possibilities for you, from learning from others in the field to flying together to various destinations. It is truly the best way to get the most out of your flight school and training!
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR PILOT TRAINING
Here are four important steps in choosing the right flight school for your needs:
Write Down your Expectations
First, begin by outlining what you are looking for in a flight school. You can expand on your wish list by talking with license holders, veteran pilots, and even flight instructors. We recommend that you also use online resources and forums to learn more about the particulars of flight schools so that you know exactly what to look for in a school near you.
Write down what you expect to have in your dream flight school and make a checklist. For example, if you are going for a commercial license, then you will require a school with comprehensive services.
Keep in mind that not every school is designed for commercial training since this type of license requires additional facilities like simulation training, stricter medical requirements, and in-depth flight training courses.
Private pilot training, on the other hand, is very common and can be found in almost every flight school. However, you might want to check out for amenities like a café, a meeting area, or a common area for relaxation and networking.
Fleet Availability
A flight school that provides a variety of aircraft to train on is going to be a better option for you in the long term, especially if you are going with commercial training.
Flight schools provide one or two options for candidates, but larger schools may have a fleet of diverse aircraft. For example, if you are interested in aerobatic training, then make sure that the flight school offers a compatible aircraft like the Cessna C150 Aerobat.
Comprehensive flight schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, usually offer microlights, flex and fixed-wing light aircraft, and even twin-engine aircraft. The more diversity you have, the better you can expand your skills and train to become a highly capable pilot!
Budgeting
Your wish list may be long, but don’t forget to match your expectations with your budget! Budgeting is extremely important in-flight training. Since this field requires a considerable amount of money, you will need to make sure that your budget matches the school's fee structure.
For example, small-scale schools that only offer private pilot training will have fewer fees compared to a comprehensive school that provides multiple services under one roof.
However, even if you don’t have enough resources, some schools offer scholarships, offers, deals, and discounts. We recommend that you check the fee structure and see if the school offers any discount that you can avail.
The average cost for a PPL in the UK ranges between £10,000 and £15,000 with commercial pilot training going between £70,000 and £130,000 but can range from £50,000 to £150,000 depending on your training requirements and the facilities offered at the school.
Checking Reviews
Once you have picked at least three schools from the criteria above, it's time to stack them up and compare them using online reviews.
This is an extremely important step because it can help you make the best decision. We recommend talking to alumni and veteran pilots, and checking online forums to find reviews for your top three schools.
Start with the one-star reviews to see the shortcomings of the school. Make sure you take a level-headed approach using this method because some reviews can be based on highly personal experiences that may not apply to you.
See if any reviews address your concerns and whether the school provides the level of training and convenience that you are looking for. For the best experience, make a tally and compare scores for each school.
The school that receives the highest score based on your preferences will likely be your best bet at pilot training. Finally, after you have settled on a school based on your research, we recommend that you head out to the school in person to make the final decision. Once there, you can gain even more information and talk to people around campus about their experiences.
While there, you can also head to the admissions department to finalise your decision and begin your aviation journey.
HOW MUCH TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO BECOME A PILOT
The training depends solely on the type of license you go for.
As mentioned above, the three most common types of pilot licences are the Private Pilot Licence (PPL), the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL). Each of these licenses offers a different training regimen that may also overlap.
While the PPL and the LAPL allow you to pilot an aircraft for recreational purposes, the CPL is for those who wish to pursue aviation in a more professional capacity. PPL and LAPL holders cannot use their training for commercial purposes like crop dusting, air-medical services, surveying, and more.
If you want to monetise your training, then you will need to go for a commercial licence. The commercial licence requires stricter training and since you will be flying professionally and may also be carrying passengers, the training hours for commercial training are significantly more than PPL.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requires a minimum of 45 flight hours for a PPL, but most students need around 60–70 hours to become proficient, while a CPL requires a minimum of 200 flight hours, which also includes 80 hours of ground school training.
Compared to a traditional CPL, the PPL and LAPL requirements are relatively relaxed, since you are only expected to fly in a hobby-related setting. The LAPL, specifically, offers the least amount of training but severely limits your capabilities.
The good news is that you can continue your training where you left off to gain more competence and become proficient. You can even upgrade your PPL to a CPL later on by taking on additional courses and training.
LICENSES AT FLIGHT SCHOOLS FOR PILOT TRAINING
Here is an overview of the types of licenses found in flight schools:
Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL)
As mentioned above, Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL), allows pilots to fly certain types of light aircraft, including microlights.
These are smaller aeroplanes with basic onboard instruments which are relatively easy to manoeuvre compared to fixed-wing aircraft.
The LAPL is a general licence, so you cannot fly for commercial activities or apply for employment as a pilot with this certification.
To obtain a LAPL, you will need to have a valid Class 2 medical certificate. A Class 2 medical certificate has relaxed medical requirements and covers the basic health requirements of the pilot like adequate vision and mental and physical health.
You will need at least 12 hours of training for a LAPL. Out of the licences discussed in this section, this one is the simplest to obtain since the hourly requirement is very minimal.
However, it must be kept in mind that the LAPL cannot be upgraded to Part-FCL, which allows UK licence holders to fly into European Union territory. Due to this reason, the LAPL is only valid within the borders of the United Kingdom. If you wish to fly elsewhere, you will need to upgrade to a PPL.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
The PPL is the most popular type of license because it offers diversity and enables pilots to upgrade their licenses later. Just like the LAPL, the PPL also requires a Class 2 medical certificate.
A barebones PPL with traditional training allows pilots to fly any type of light aircraft such as the Cessna Skyhawk or the Piper PA 28. For multi-engine aeroplanes, the PPL can be paired with additional training to fulfil the requirements required to fly these more complex aircraft.
As mentioned above, a PPL requires 45 hours of training. 10 hours out of these must be of solo flight, while the rest of the hours can be completed via dual instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
The PPL is the best licence for recreational pilots, and it can be upgraded to involve international travel and larger aircraft!
Unlike the LAPL, if you want to fly into EU territory, you will need to upgrade the PPL to a Part-FCL, which enables pilots to fly EASA-approved aircraft.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
A CPL is designed to produce highly capable pilots who are trusted with the lives of passengers and precious cargo. Due to the high stakes involved in this type of license, a CPL requires more training.
The CPL, as you can imagine, is more difficult to obtain as compared to the PPL or LAPL. To qualify for a CPL, the pilot must show a total of 200 hours of flight time with at least 300 nautical miles of solo flight with additional hours required for simulation and ground school training. Again, not every school offers CPL training so you will actively have to filter out schools that provide commercial pilot training during your research.
Finally, a CPL also requires stricter medical assessments. This license requires a Class 1 medical certificate, which has stricter requirements compared to the Class 2 medical certificate.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licenses, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran. The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on licensing procedures and pilot training at Sherburn.
Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash
