| "Accelerated flight training" is a very popular way for | | | | may be good but improperly trained to handle an |
| many to accomplish the FAA required pilot training and | | | | efficient Accelerated Flight Training course, the student |
| gain the skills and knowledge required to pass any pilot | | | | doesn't finish in the time allowed/paid for, and extending |
| certificate or rating that exists. However, the title of | | | | time and money to complete training. This drives the |
| "accelerated" pilot training is misleading in some ways | | | | average time up to the 50s. There are very few |
| that can lead to an unhappy student pilot and a loss of | | | | reasons why a properly screened and prepared |
| time and money! As an FAA certified flight instructor | | | | student cannot finish by the FAA mandatory 40 hour |
| of more than 13 years with most of that time | | | | mark with a well designed and well executed |
| dedicated to the "accelerated" method of teaching I | | | | accelerated flight training course. |
| have learned what works and what does not work. I | | | | · Learning and retention of skills and knowledge |
| hope this article can help those seeking a pilot | | | | can be greatly enhanced with Accelerated Flying |
| certificate or rating achieve their goals in the most | | | | Lessons. Many with a bad experience (students and |
| efficient and cost effective manner possible. | | | | instructors) argue otherwise however I have first hand |
| Accelerated Flight Training Myth: | | | | experience of teaching many students both "traditional" |
| Just because a flight school offers an "accelerated" | | | | (2-3 days/week) and "accelerated" (focused and |
| flight training course does NOT mean you will finish in | | | | efficient) and I can attest that there is much less flight |
| less time. Fact: The FAA requires minimum pilot training, | | | | and ground review necessary just before final test |
| flight experience, and ground theory training before a | | | | time for the accelerated students in every case. |
| person is eligible to attempt the required final testing for | | | | Retention for the long term depends solely on the pilot |
| a pilot certificate or rating. For example, The FAA | | | | to keep learning and keeping skills sharp regardless of |
| requires 40 hours of total flight and training experience | | | | what kind of flight training they used to achieve their |
| before attempting the final test. However, the national | | | | goals. |
| average for time to earn a private pilot certificate is | | | | · Accelerated flight training forces the student |
| closer to 70 hours! Why?!? Here are a few reasons. | | | | to focus solely on the task at hand. It is critical to leave |
| · Too much time between training flights and | | | | the worries of every day life and work behind while |
| ground school. Skills and knowledge degrade with time. | | | | training or learning will degrade quickly. As long as you |
| I recommend flight training at least three days per | | | | can schedule a time away from the world while you |
| week to avoid "disuse" loss of learning in between | | | | train the learning and retention skyrockets contributing |
| lessons. | | | | to a safer pilot. |
| · Bad weather can stop training all together for | | | | What to look for in Accelerated Flight Training: |
| days or even weeks affecting your training goals in | | | | · An experienced instructor experienced with |
| the same way listed above. | | | | accelerated flight training. Also, make sure the school |
| · Poorly planned or executed course. This | | | | does not intend to switch instructors on you except |
| could be from a school that only wants your money or | | | | when absolutely necessary! Finding experienced |
| an inexperienced flight instructor that is only there to | | | | instructors is not easy these days let alone |
| build time and get into an airline. | | | | experienced in accelerated flight instruction. |
| · No or little study before training begins. This is | | | | · A time of the year or physical location with |
| mainly for accelerated courses because the more you | | | | good weather that will not interrupt your training! |
| can learn before hand will let you concentrate on | | | | · A school that offers a pre-training course and |
| learning to fly. I do not recommend nor do I begin any | | | | materials AND makes it mandatory to complete any |
| accelerated flying course until any required written | | | | required written tests and medical checkouts BEFORE |
| tests and medical exams are completed first. I also | | | | lessons begin! |
| have my students pre-study the pilot training syllabus | | | | · Make sure the flight school has more than |
| sequence of events and read through all study | | | | one aircraft of the same make and model that you will |
| materials first before the first day of training. Using a | | | | be training in so that routine or unexpected |
| computer based flight simulator is also a great way to | | | | maintenance does not extend your schedule. The |
| prepare before pilot training begins just by flying around | | | | school only needs two aircraft to minimize this potential |
| and having fun. I also recommend a series of simple | | | | slow down. |
| self administered lessons using computer based | | | | · Make sure the flight school has some kind of |
| simulation before training. Preparation is the biggest | | | | flight simulation capability in case there are no fly days. |
| time and money saver by far! | | | | Simulators do not have to be state of the art full |
| · There are many more reasons but these are | | | | cockpit sims. Simple desktop computer simulators all |
| the biggest by far. | | | | work great when used properly with an experienced |
| Benefits of a good Accelerated Pilot Training course | | | | instructor. Communications, procedures, and |
| · Accelerated flight training can let you reach | | | | aeronautical decision making are just a few things that |
| your goals in less time! The average training time an | | | | can be learned and re-enforced using simulation. |
| "accelerated" student is closer to 50 hours. 20 hours of | | | | To sum things up, properly executed Accelerated |
| training at $200/hr will buy a lot of hamburgers! The | | | | Flight Training should really be named "focused and |
| average for my students is closer to 40 hours only | | | | efficient" flight training saving time and money, |
| because the FAA won't let my students take the final | | | | increasing learning and retention, and giving the student |
| test earlier! This is mainly due to flight schools that | | | | the best chance possible of passing any pilot |
| jump on the "accelerated" band wagon for some easy | | | | certificate or rating final exam. |
| cash drawing in students, giving them to instructors that | | | | |