| A career in flying helicopters or airplanes is a dream of | | | | · Check if the school's insurance company does |
| many youngsters. Learning to fly is an expensive | | | | not waive subrogation; you could be held responsible |
| affair. It is very important to choose the best training | | | | for entire cost of the helicopter if there is an accident |
| school that trains you in flying. Visit the school; meet | | | | during training. Keep the price of renter's insurance |
| with the owner/president, look the facilities and aircraft | | | | when you determine cost of flying in the particular |
| over. Make a note of the pertinent information and | | | | school. |
| compare it with their information brochure. The | | | | · Determine the maintenance of the fleet. It is very |
| following aspects should be checked out before | | | | important safety factor. Ask for conducted test ride. |
| arriving at a decision: | | | | · Does the school have a regular ground school? |
| · Does the school have single or multiple | | | | Who will be responsible for its cost and cost of |
| helicopters? A single helicopter facility will have a | | | | materials like textbooks, plotters etc. Does the school |
| difficult time schedule and mechanical problems may | | | | supply headsets or do you have to buy them? They |
| cause lesson cancellations, where as with multiple | | | | range from $300 to $1000 - a significant cost. |
| helicopters another helicopter can be substituted. | | | | · Find out the payment process, whether it is |
| · Talk to a couple of instructors. Ask questions, | | | | advance or in part; also the bonus if any, for down |
| such as if the instructor is happy with his job and the | | | | payment. |
| management, maintenance and general shape of | | | | · A private pilot certificate normally takes 55 hours |
| helicopters. Observe the instructor's body language as | | | | flying time for an airplane pilot and 65 hours for |
| answers. | | | | non-pilot. If the school is taking 90 to 100 hours, then it |
| · How is time charged for training? Is it when you | | | | must be 'overtraining' them in order to get additional |
| start helicopter or when you enter school portals? | | | | revenue. |
| Rate sheet is broken down by dual Instruction, solo and | | | | · Get references from at least two current and |
| rental rates. | | | | two ex-students for checking on school's training |
| · Find out the pass/fail ratio of the school. | | | | program. |
| · The school should have a syllabus showing | | | | Talk to students who have already soloed/passed |
| lesson plans, number of flying hours etc. It should be | | | | from the same school for honest and reliable |
| FAA Part 141 approved. Find the cost and number of | | | | information of the school before signing in. |
| hours to get the rating. | | | | |