Which is more risky... or riskier?

[Sparker]

I am moving to a town where I have two choices of flight schools, and I am going to pick the neghborhood I live in based on the school choice. I am not going to use the names of the schools.

 

Both schools are part 61 and seem to have good leadership and funding. Neither school requires pay up front. One school (school A) is a fairly new split off from a fairly large fixed wing school. It has two CFIs, 3 r22s and one r44. I think I would have a good chance of getting hired as a CFI after I am done with training. The school has a fun atmosphere and they seem to have a good reputation. I am nervous because it is a new school and if it goes south I dont want to have to move to the other end of town to go to the other school. Also, when I am applying for jobs I would prefer to have a name of an older school on my resume that has a better reputation.

 

School "B" has been around for a long time, the owner is a former stunt pilot, they have 6 aircraft, and slightly lower hourly rate than school "A". The atmosphere seemed much more serious at this school, and they don't seem as friendly. They have really high standards as far as traing and expectations from the student. I think I would get a better education here, but I worry that they won't hire as a CFI. The CFIs at this school are higher time pilots. The biggest concern with this school is that they have added two more locations in the last year. I am worried they might be overextending themselves, and I don't want to train at the next generation Silver State.

 

Bottom line: I am worrying too much and I just want some insight. I would prefer to instruct at the school I train in, but I don't know what my priorities should be in choosing a school.

 

What is the most important factor?

Edited August 24, 2007 by Sparker

[helonorth]

There is no single most important factor, but one thing you didn't mention is finding a good instructor.

That's going to make a huge difference in how your training goes. Factor in scheduling availability,

what you want to train in and if you can reasonally expect to be hired when you get your CFI or CFII.

I would talk to other students and ask for input on this forum, on the particular schools you're

considering. Good luck.

[Sparker]

There is no single most important factor, but one thing you didn't mention is finding a good instructor.

That's going to make a huge difference in how your training goes. Factor in scheduling availability,

what you want to train in and if you can reasonally expect to be hired when you get your CFI or CFII.

I would talk to other students and ask for input on this forum, on the particular schools you're

considering. Good luck.

 

Both schools have good instructors and fairly open schedules. Both fly r22s.

[captkirkyota]

Both schools have good instructors and fairly open schedules. Both fly r22s.

IMO, I'd take the more serious school, they may seem it now, but once your there you'll see that everyone can joke and have fun, but a school that takes very serious the standard level means you'll be a better pilot for having to achieve the higher standard. If you don't get hired at that school, perhaps one of their shoot offs you mention, or even perhaps the other one across town will hire you and you'll raise the standards being taught there.

Maybe move to a location in town where you are roughly equal time away from each.

Anyway thats my .02

Good luck.

[Sparker]

IMO, I'd take the more serious school, they may seem it now, but once your there you'll see that everyone can joke and have fun, but a school that takes very serious the standard level means you'll be a better pilot for having to achieve the higher standard. If you don't get hired at that school, perhaps one of their shoot offs you mention, or even perhaps the other one across town will hire you and you'll raise the standards being taught there.

Maybe move to a location in town where you are roughly equal time away from each.

Anyway thats my .02

Good luck.

 

Thanks, Those are some good points.... If I live halfway it would be a one hour drive each way. 2 hours a day driving would SUCK.

[joker]

Sparker,

 

This is quite a similar question to the other thread running at the moment.

 

more important in a school? Cheap or lots of networking potential

 

I think the replies in that thread, and the general theme of that thread apply here.

 

I have to agree with captkirkyota though. As I read your post, it seemed like a no-brainer to me.

 

I have been fortunate to have trained and worked only at places where the very highest standards are set and maintained. Yes, it might have cost me a little more, but at the end of the day, their standards became my standards.

 

There are some things where 'good atmosphere' is of primary importance. (A pub, a social sports team for example.) Flight training is not one of them. When I was flight training, I was 'there to do business'. I was investing a great deal of money in this, and so the primary objective was to get the very best training I could for my money. Socialising could happen once I finished. So I looked for a school which, when I walked through the door, gave me that impression. (First impressions count so much.)

 

If you are sure about the standards from each school, take the one with the highest standards. This will pay dividends when you graduate.

 

As for hireability, this is largely a mute point. If the serious school really looks like it is not going to hire its graduates (due to an hour requirement policy), then you can move and finish off elsewhere. Be flexible and mobile. If you are simply put off by the percieved 'added competition' then don't be. Both schools (if they both hire graduates) will have the sam competition for places. Relish the challenge to be the one hired at the school with high standards.

 

Like I said on the other thread, competition is only a problem if you are average or below. Believe that you are, believe that you're not - either way you are probably right.

 

I hope that clearly presents my thoughts!

 

Joker