Have you considered how a flight school may impact a student completion of the training?

J

Jingmin Jin

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Aug 30, 2019
Messages
21
Display Name
Display name:
Mina
Have you considered how a flight school may impact a student completion of the training?
 
Let me just apologize in advance for all the snarky comments you are about to get.

Hopefully, someone will attempt to give you a considered answer.
 
Well, that's a nebulous question. First, you need to tell us where you are located and what your aviation goal is. It's a whole lot of difference giving recommendations for someone who is going to be a US recreational flyer than someone trying to train for an international airline career
 
I wanted a sport certificate and in my area that meant one of two schools so I took a discovery ride at each...one had a '46 Champ, the other a Cessna Skycatcher. both were interesting flights (the door popped open on the Champ just after takeoff) and the instructor in the 162 allowed me (with his assistance) to do the takeoff (I had ~20-hrs of time in a 152...30-yrs before!). I chose the school with the Skycatcher. I liked the plane better and at 6'2"/215-lbs the 162 fit me better. but my initial instructor and I were oil and water. I was 62, he was probably early to mid 20's. nice enough guy on the ground but we just didn't click in the air. I spoke to the chief pilot and asked for a new instructor, one I had flown with when the first CFI had to cancel. he made the switch and the rest is history.
 
Jingmin Jin said:
Have you considered how a flight school may impact a student completion of the training?
Click to expand...
Yes, I have. The quality and culture of management (owners, Chief instructor, etc) can affect the employees (instructors, maintenance, support staff), which will affect the students. In both a negative and a positive way.

Not sure if this provides the answer or information you were seeking. Perhaps rephrasing or restating the question is warranted.
 
It's OK to "shop around" amongst a few schools, or at least a few different instructors if there is one school convenient to you. Instructors are all different, just as students are all different, and finding a good match of style/communication/schedule is important. (More important than the school, I would argue. A person is going to be teaching you to fly, not an organization.). A half hour in the air with someone will tell you a lot about whether they will be a good match.

You can also "shop planes" if you are a particularly small or large person and some models fit your body better than others.

No one will be offended if you do this "shopping around". At least, no one should.

Don't put up a lot of money upfront at the very beginning, or believe any school that says you have to.
 
Sure. Also, how open-ended, ambiguous questions might serve to evoke revealing narratives from responders. Such as tid-bits concerning aviation background, and in SoCal, brief asides about professional lifes in interesting arenas. Lot's of pilots work in technically complex, and sensitive areas.
 
rk911 said:
I wanted a sport certificate and in my area that meant one of two schools so I took a discovery ride at each...one had a '46 Champ, the other a Cessna Skycatcher. both were interesting flights (the door popped open on the Champ just after takeoff) and the instructor in the 162 allowed me (with his assistance) to do the takeoff (I had ~20-hrs of time in a 152...30-yrs before!). I chose the school with the Skycatcher. I liked the plane better and at 6'2"/215-lbs the 162 fit me better. but my initial instructor and I were oil and water. I was 62, he was probably early to mid 20's. nice enough guy on the ground but we just didn't click in the air. I spoke to the chief pilot and asked for a new instructor, one I had flown with when the first CFI had to cancel. he made the switch and the rest is history.
Click to expand...

Oops, you had the choice between doing ab initio in a 7AC with a CFI who has the skills to do it, and you went for a 162?

 
Jingmin Jin said:
Have you considered how a flight school may impact a student completion of the training?
Click to expand...


Have you considered how a student may impact the student’s completion of flight training? I deal with it every day.
 
James331 said:
Oops, you had the choice between doing ab initio in a 7AC with a CFI who has the skills to do it, and you went for a 162?

Click to expand...

I'd ask you if you ever gave any consideration to the idea that some people have preferences that differ from yours, but I already know the answer.
 
FormerHangie said:
I'd ask you if you ever gave any consideration to the idea that some people have preferences that differ from yours, but I already know the answer.
Click to expand...

I guess, but picking a inferior trainer isn’t really something I’d consider a preference as much as a you don’t know what you don’t know type thing.

Also the uneventful door coming unlatched would have been a great experience in what is a big deal and what isn’t a big deal in aviation, think a decent number of people get themselves into trouble freaking out over a door coming unlatched vs knowing it’s the nothing burger that it is.
 
Last edited:
You can pan the 162 all you want. I did too at first. But, it’s actually a very comfortable plane. Very wide, good airflow. I think it’s a good choice for a big guy.
 
Salty said:
You can pan the 162 all you want. I did too at first. But, it’s actually a very comfortable plane. Very wide, good airflow. I think it’s a good choice for a big guy.
Click to expand...

It’s not as bad as a 172 for a trainer, but it’s still far from what I would recommend, it hides sloppy flying too well, and with the massive flaps and super wide trike gear, it’s like sending a fat kid to run laps, but giving him a electric scooter.
 
James331 said:
It’s not as bad as a 172 for a trainer, but it’s still far from what I would recommend, it hides sloppy flying too well, and with the massive flaps and super wide trike gear, it’s like sending a fat kid to run laps, but giving him a electric scooter.
Click to expand...
I find it hard to land well. It will let you screw up, but if you’re not on speed you’re going to bounce like a super ball. That sounds like a good trainer to me.
 
Salty said:
I find it hard to land well. It will let you screw up, but if you’re not on speed you’re going to bounce like a super ball. That sounds like a good trainer to me.
Click to expand...

I guess, but compared to a 7AC it’s brining a calculator a basic math class IMHO
 
James331 said:
I guess, but compared to a 7AC it’s brining a calculator a basic math class IMHO
Click to expand...
Depends on your goals. If you’re trying to get a sport pilot license to fly a plane you are comfortable in and you are comfortable in a 162, then it’s much better. If you’re goal is to Impress old guys sitting in the FBO, then you choose the 7ac
 
Salty said:
Depends on your goals. If you’re trying to get a sport pilot license to fly a plane you are comfortable in and you are comfortable in a 162, then it’s much better. If you’re goal is to Impress old guys sitting in the FBO, then you choose the 7ac
Click to expand...

In my experience if the goal is to be a better pilot starting off in a basic tailwheel or glider is most often the best route. But to each their own.
 
James331 said:
In my experience if the goal is to be a better pilot starting off in a basic tailwheel or glider is most often the best route. But to each their own.
Click to expand...
The vast majority of non pilots goal is just to be a pilot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top