Select a Better Flight School
A million articles have been written about how to evaluate flight instructors, schools and find the right fit for you. I want to focus on one portion of this that I believe is not appropriately emphasized - safety. And specifically the safety item of airworthiness.
Flight Instructors and schools have five essential goals: (1) ensure safety in aviation (2) help students learn (3) provide adequate training (4) demand adequate performance to the standards (5) provide a positive learning experience
What do I mean by airworthiness? The FAA defines airworthiness this way: a plane must conform to its type design and be in a condition for safe operation. Simply put, it means an airplane cannot be modified the same way we do with cars - you’re unlikely to see an airplane with a roof rack and a lift kit. Why? In the interest of safety the FAA requires special approvals for anything that would change the nature of the airplane from how it was originally certified. Second, it must be in a condition for safe operation. This one is a subjective measure and why I want to talk about it.
In my experience trainer planes are by nature abused. Think about it, they spend their lives being bounced down the runway and yanked around the sky by yet-to-be pilots. And way too often flight schools skimp on maintenance to make margins. Compounding this many flight schools lack a culture of care - lunch wrappings and coke bottle left in the cockpit is my least favorite.
Critics might say, yeah, but look at our record…not a single incident / accident. If making pilots to the minimum standard is your aim, congrats I guess? But what student wishes to invest their training budget to receive the minimum return on those hard earned dollars? So what am I saying? Put at the top of your list finding a flight school that fosters a culture of plane care. How can you do this? Ask and observe.
First, ask about the maintenance program at the school. Ask to meet the mechanics (called A&P’s). Ask the A&P for a summary of how they approach maintenance. If there is any hesitation than one must wonder why. Remember, this is your money, they work for you. You have a choice where to invest your time and money. Ask a seasoned CFI in your area about the maintenance reputation of the schools in your locality. I think you’ll be surprised at how many CFI’s won’t actually know - maintenance is unfortunately some back office black magic. I posit that a great flight school puts it front and center making your A&P a natural part of your education. There needs be a culture of transparency and an eager willingness to help you learn. I’m not saying you have to know the specific torque or stretch values of an engine thru stud, but with access just maybe you’ll understand what those are (…and when you find out can you let me know, lol!). And last, ask to look at the airplane logs. Not only is it fun to read through them (who knows what you might discover!) but it will also be one more item that you’ll be able to talk confidently about with your examiner.
Second, observe the planes, Certificated Flight Instructor’s (CFI) and students. Do they treat them like a cheap car rental or do they clean them after each flight? Are the planes covered in bugs, sitting outside under a dark sky? Are the interiors clean, renewed? If the windscreen is so covered in bugs you have to file an IFR (inclement flight rules) plan to fly, what else is not getting proper attention and care?
Do this and you’ll be one of the few pilots that graduates and has actually seen under an engine cowl, peeped in the inspection holes at a annual inspection and can point to a magneto. Not only will you impress your examiner but your aviation curiosity will make you a better pilot.
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