FLIGHT SCHOOLS

Good pilots are the product of good flight training. To become the best pilot you can be you need to start by finding the best flight school based on your training needs.

All pilots are not created equal and there is not one flight training organisation that is the best option for everyone. To get the most out of your training, it is important you first set yourself some goals. This can be as simple as ‘I’d like to learn how to fly an aircraft’ to ‘I want to become an airline pilot as quickly as possible'

Today most pilots receive their training from civilian schools or flying clubs and the environment you train in can vary widely. You can have a very casual arrangement with a flying club or school situated at your local airport, flying as often as time and money permits. Or you can attend a fulltime course with a larger school, wearing a pilot uniform and training in an ‘airline style’ environment. One is not necessarily better than the other, and they both offer some clear advantages. However, if you have never flown in a small aircraft before, it may be a good idea to first find somewhere local and book an introduction lesson to see if learning to fly is something you really want to do.

Learning to Fly at Your Local Airport

Most airports have at least a small flying school or club. This is a good place to start if you have no previous flying experience and want to see what it is all about before making any big decisions or commitments. Use the training directory on this website to find a flight school in your local area and pay them a visit. Most schools are run by aviation enthusiasts who are more than happy to answer your questions about aviation training. If your initial goal is to fly recreationally a local option is often the best, but there may be more than one school in your area so shop around before you commit to anything.

Training at a Large Flight School

You have probably seen the adverts in flying magazines – smiling pilot students in their flying uniforms posing in front of a fleet of aircraft all painted the same way. Many offer fast track courses and airline connections. The big benefit of training with a school specializing in commercial pilot training is the continuation from start to finish. Training in a structured environment where the goal is to produce a professional pilot is a good option if your plan is to make flying a career.

This is just a brief introduction to flight training intended to give you some basic information about becoming a pilot. Now take a look at some of the schools listed below or use the map to find flight training schools in your area.