picking a school

I am getting asked quite a bit on why I picked Rising Pheonix Aviation at Manassas for my school. Picking a school is not always easy. The cost of flying is high AND a student wants to get the best education for the price. With the rich set of material out there (DVDs, On-line testing and knowledge programs, books, audio tapes and CDs, etc.) the knowledge portion of flying is generally going to be the same regardless of the school. It really comes down to the student/instructor relationship and the scheduling options. My choice is based on the fact the Rising Pheonix Aviation instructors have become my friends through shared interests. I enjoy hanging out with them. Their knowledge and instruction skills are exceptional, backed by MANY years of experience. I get quality education and I enjoy the process of learning.

There are schools that specialize in pilot training (e.g. Aviation Adventures). These schools often have more flexible scheduling options and more CFIs to work with. These schools are optimized for quality and fast training. For most people, this is the best option. There are caveats though. Fast is determined by preparedness of the student and consistent scheduling. With consistent scheduling, it may not always be possible to work with the same instructor. For some students, this can be an issue. Dedicated schools provide the option for faster and more flexible training. The burden of learning still falls on the student to be prepared, consistent and on time for each lesson. Very few, if any, school is going to hurt their reputation by letting a student do a solo or check ride without being competent in the required skills.

In the end, the only advice I can give is to visit several different schools before choosing. The time spent up front investigating the best school for each individual is valuable, considering the cost of training. Meet the instructors, see the planes, look over the knowledge materials, look at payment options and look at scheduling options.