When you pick one of the many private pilot license schools to do your training...you are determining your future.
If wanting to fly is your goal then this is for you. A good school will help you - reach your goals faster
- save money and
- make sure you enjoy the learning process.
A bad school can make flying stressful, confusing, and expensive...or worse...it can make you want to quit!
In this article, we will look at four important things to think about when choosing a private pilot school.
Before you look for a school, ask yourself: What is my goal? Do you want to fly for fun, or do you want to become an airline pilot?
Flying for Fun
If you only want to fly for fun or as a hobby then you'll definitely want to get a laid back flight school. Choose a school and even an instructor who has the experience but not necessarily the structure.
Ask if they offer discovery flights or weekend flying. This can make training more enjoyable. You can also look for a school that uses smaller airports. It is often easier and less stressful to learn at a quiet airport where there is less traffic.
Flying for an Airline Career
If your dream is to become an airline pilot, then you need a school that can help you start thinking like a professional pilot from day one. Look for a school that trains with a multi-crew mentality.
What does this mean? In airlines, pilots work as a team — a captain and a first officer. Communication, teamwork, and following standard procedures are very important. Some schools train this way from the beginning. They teach you how to work as part of a crew, even when you are still in single-engine training.
Make sure they
- insists on using ICAO English phraseology
- uses more thorough checklists
- teach multi-crew habits that include CRM communication (Eg: "rwy clear")
- insist that instructors and even yourself wear a uniform to training.
Ask if the school offers advanced training like instrument rating, commercial pilot license, or multi-engine courses. This shows that they have experience helping students go from private pilot all the way to airline level.
Now other than being sure that the school has the mindset and atmosphere you want...what else must you check for when looking at private pilot license schools?
Every good flight school keeps logbooks for each airplane and for maintenance. These books show when the airplane was last inspected and if it is safe to fly.
Before joining a school, ask to see these logbooks. You don’t need to understand every detail, but you should check that inspections are up to date and there are no missing records.
If a school refuses to show you their maintenance logbooks, then ask to check out the planes.
It is also very helpful to talk to other students — both online and offline. You can search for reviews on social media, aviation forums, or websites like Reddit or Facebook pilot groups.
Ask current or past students about their experience. Were the instructors helpful? Was scheduling easy? Did the school give enough flying time each week?
If you can visit the school, talk to students in person. You can learn a lot just by watching how happy or stressed the students look. If everyone seems tired, frustrated, or complaining about poor scheduling, you may want to look for another place.
If you are an international student, make sure the school has experience teaching students from other countries. Some schools have special departments for foreign student support. They can help with things like:
Ask if they provide a Student Visa (M-1 or F-1) if you plan to study in the United States. If you are going to another country, check what kind of visa you need to study there legally.
It is also good to ask about ground school and how they teach it. Some schools only give self-study materials, while others offer classroom lessons. If English is not your first language, a class with an instructor might be better because you can ask questions right away.
If you're looking for a really solid private pilot training academy then I recommend MLBFlight.com. This is where I did my training after having looked at a few schools.
It has a solid track record and combines a relaxed atmosphere with airline flight training. Check out MLBflight on this link here.
Need help with the English, have a question about your studies or just want someone to check out the private pilot license schools you are considering?
Feel free to contact me below!
As an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher and a certified flight instructor, I can help you with both your aviation English and your flight studies. Many students struggle not because they are bad pilots, but because they don’t fully understand the English used in books, exams, or radio communication.
With the right help, you can improve your English while learning about flying. You can practice reading, listening, and speaking aviation words in real contexts — for example, how to speak to Air Traffic Control (ATC) or how to read a weather briefing.
If you are already in flight training and need help understanding lessons, procedures, or exam questions, you can reach out to me. Learning to fly should be exciting, not stressful. With language and study support, you can feel more confident and ready for your checkride.
Finding a good private pilot school takes time, but it is worth the effort. Your private pilot flight training deserves this time investment. Don’t just choose the first school you see online. Visit several, talk to instructors and students, and ask as many questions as you can.
Remember these four steps:
A good flight school will make you feel welcome, safe, and motivated. It will not only teach you how to fly an airplane but also how to think like a responsible pilot. With the right training and support, your dream of becoming a pilot can truly take off.