How to Choose a Flight School: What to Ask and Compare

Every state has a mix of university aviation programs, career academies, local flight schools and independent instructors. Use the flight school finder to see every airport in your state where the FAA lists flight training, plus the schools we've checked.

The types of schools

• University programs: a degree plus structured training, usually under Part 141. Good for a career path, and some offer financial aid. Less schedule flexibility.
• Career academies: full-time, fast-paced programs aimed at the airlines. Expensive up front, quick to finish.
• Local flight schools and flying clubs: usually Part 61, flexible scheduling around school or work, often the cheapest way to a private certificate.
• Independent instructors: a CFI who teaches in your airplane or a rental. Flexible, but you arrange the airplane and maintenance yourself.

Not sure which rules fit you? Read Part 61 vs Part 141.

Questions to ask every school

• How many airplanes do you have, and how far ahead do students book them?
• How many instructors, and will I fly with the same one most of the time?
• What's the hourly rate for the airplane (wet or dry) and the instructor, and what do students usually spend in total?
• How do you handle maintenance and cancellations?
• How many students finished their private certificate here last year?
• Can I take a discovery flight first?

Local conditions that shape your training

• High-elevation and mountain airports (much of the West): density altitude cuts performance on summer afternoons, and mountain winds are local knowledge you want an instructor to teach.
• Busy metro airspace: near Class B airports you'll learn radio work and airspace early, and you may wait longer for the runway.
• Hot, humid and stormy climates: afternoon thunderstorms can shape when you schedule lessons.
• Cold-weather states: winter can mean preheating, icing and fewer flyable days, so ask how many students fly through the winter.
• Remote areas and Alaska: long distances between airports make fuel and weather planning part of every flight.

Look up the airports near you in the airport guides for runways, elevation and live weather.

Read it in the FAA handbooks

The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.

Aviation Weather HandbookChapter 16Mountain WeatherOpens the handbook at this chapter · free, official↗ (opens in a new tab)