Aviation Flight School

The research focused on the ways in which flight schools can provide a specialized training format that satisfies goals for both professional and recreational pilots. These are unique ways in which, flight schools can achieve flight instruction for students by providing a strong training format that meets the individuals needs. Offering practical and theoretical skills to the students, and ensuring professional instructors. Also the use of modern facilities and equipment for teaching students; with a strong emphasis for FAA standards during all phases of instruction. These are some ideas flight schools should adopt in order to meet needs and demands of their students. Introduction The purpose of the research was to find how flight schools provide unique flight training solutions to meet needs of their students. The research identifies principles that flight schools practice as a school that takes a pilot from never having piloted an aircraft to, â€Å"helping them know when to use their landing lights, transponder, and trim tabs. (Above View FBO [AV], 2008) Learning to fly is one of the dreams of many people; and there are many reasons to learn to fly and most local flight schools can facilitate student’s needs on just about any schedule and desired rating or certification. (G&B Aircraft Management [G&B], 2008) Some may want to learn to fly for recreational purposes while others may learn to fly for a career. Whether as a career, or for recreational purposes in flight operations is one of the more unique areas of flight training in aviation. Students at flight schools can be trained to become commercial pilots or recreational pilots. For the commercial pilot the world of aviation is very much exciting, dynamic and can be very demanding. In order for one to become a professional aviator whom the world can rely and depend on in the future, one has to undergo thorough flight training. Simply attending a flight school is never enough, though it is a basic requirement, one needs to be thoroughly trained before he is given certification. Schofields flying club [Schofields], 2008) For Private pilots aviation is taken as a recreation that provides the student with a sense of freedom, fun, and accomplishment that stays with that person forever. Private pilots also begin with the same detailed training that commercial pilots need. (Schofields, 2008) For both types of students the training environment for flight should be conducive and all tools needed for training should be available in order to ensure a clear understanding. (Scho fields, 2008) Theoretical and Practical Skills The main objective of flight training is to impart airmanship skills on the students, putting in mind the principles of flight, and the ability to safely operate and navigate an aircraft with precision. Training on flight courses covers two areas that are the on-ground theory lessons and the practical training in the air. Students in flight schools are acquitted with a wide scope of knowledge on the areas that are related to flights. (Schofields, 2008) Students learn basic principles of flight, meteorology, flight rules and regulations. Also flight school students are trained in navigation, radio communications, and the aircraft itself. The use of sophisticated instruments, systems, and other equipment ensure that the students have a wide-ranging knowledge on several different areas of operation that relate to aviation. When a student is fully trained, and correctly demonstrates proficiency in these areas, he or she is awarded a certificate to show that they are professionally acquitted with the necessary knowledge and skills for flight. (Schofields, 2008) Availability of Facilities Aviation schools should have FAA flight facilities and equipments at the location of operation. This gives the student an added advantage in that they can access the facilities as they need, and also gives them an opportunity to attend ground lessons, which is a major part of the study. Flight schools tend to use less commercialized airports for training flights this gives students training without the crowded airspace. (Flight Training, 2004) Strong Training Format In order for students to be fully prepared to take off on flights they are subjected to a specialized and strong training format that is followed by the school. Aviation flight schools when training students should train them using modern equipment, and facilities. This will give students the opportunity to learn what is currently used in the field of aviation. When the training is based on new and modern technology the students are in a better position since they can fit in the field. (Flight Training, 2004) Most of the Aviation schools have developed a structured curriculum, which is used to demonstrate various airplane systems which include a complete set of working flight instructions to enhance learning opportunities. They use multimedia services and the Internet to gain more information on the new developments in the field. A proven training system ensures that students are fully trained before they are given certificates to practice flight as a career or for recreational purposes. (Flight Training, 2004) There are many curriculums for a flight school to adopt, in fact some flight schools may have more than one to cater to the needs of their students; such as structured accelerated programs, or a self paced pay as you go open schedule program. (K.  Hansen, personal communication, April 7, 2008) The idea behind a strong training format that a flight school adopts, or develops, is for retention. Not just of students for the flight school, but primarily the student’s knowledge. (J. Gifford, personal communication, April 7, 2008) Emphasis on FAA Standards â€Å"The flight school falls under a variety of Federal Aviation Regulations†¦FAR Part 91 is the basic set of regulations for general flight operations. In addition to that, flight training can be conducted under FAR Part 61, the regulation for flight training or under a combination of FAR Part 61 and 141. (Vincent, 2008) Flight schools are divided into FAA-approved (part 141) and non-approved (part 61) they are usually divided based on the regulations under which they operate. FAA-approved schools â€Å"voluntarily submit their procedures and training to a higher standard of curriculum use, regulation and paperwork in exchange for lower hour requirements prior to a student receiving a flight certificate or rating. † (Vincent, 2008) Also they are periodically audited, this is done to ensure that they follow the laid down training format. Have detailed FAA certified course outlines, the course outlines are detailed and certified to ensure that what is covered in one aviation institution is covered in all other schools. It must meet trainee pilot performance rates to maintain certification. While non-approved (part 61) schools do not have similar requirements, they cater for students who need more flexibility with lesson content and scheduling. (Flight Training, 2004) FAA standards are emphasized in every aspect of learning including equipment maintenance and flight training. This is usually achieved through taking of FAA tests in the classroom at the conclusion of each course, the FAA certified CATS testing program certifies the tests. (Flight Training, 2004) Emphases are put mostly on the fundamentals, and safety of the flights this is usually achieved through ground school courses, which are continually offered to the students. They are used to ensure that they have a complete understanding of the fundamentals. The student pilots are provided with aeronautical decision-making and flight maneuvering skills in order to remain safe under all circumstances. Modernized Facilities and Equipment Today there is a demand by students for the use of newer model glass panel equipped aircraft. Some of the instruments that these aircraft include are uplink NEXRAD weather images, traffic and terrain collision alert systems, autopilots and leather interiors. These are tools that can help students when they are carrying out their practical lessons. (Miller, 2008) However cost is also a concern, newer aircraft cost more to purchase and operate compared to older models. Many flight schools often have a variety of aircraft types to â€Å"offer several options for training and rental purposes. (AV, 2008) However if the student’s needs, and or budget do not allow them to always fly the latest and greatest airplane out there, it is essential for them to know that the aircraft they do fly are safe and properly maintained. Students want to be assured that â€Å"the safety of [their] aircraft is [their] number one priority. † (AV, 2008) Continued Trainings for Licensed Pilots Aviation schools also offer trainings for pilots who wish to advance in their field, receive additional endorsements or ratings, or simply stay current. The hours of operation also run from early morning to late evening, weekdays and weekend training times, which enable even the busiest professional to fit flight training into his schedule. This helps the pilots to gain more knowledge, and continue to keep aviation in their schedules. (Miller, 2008) For many flight schools the idea is not only to teach new students how to fly but to continue to cater to all their students, or customers, needs past, present, and future; to become their one stop shop for aviation. (G&B) Professional Instructors When performing aircraft operations as a student pilot the teaching is done one on one, and students want to know that their flight school has professional instructors who are fully trained and have all the required qualifications for the training that they provide. (K. Hansen, personal communication, April 7, 2008) These instructors are former students themselves that have experience, have demonstrated exceptional skill, and received additional training. Accomplished flight instructors are also personally committed to educating the students one on one and helping them to learn. Flight Instructors are â€Å"pilots who know their way around the cockpit as well as the classroom. † (AV, 2008) Conducive Environment Although parts of the students training involves ground school, and sometimes simulations, the majority of flight training is conducted in the actual real world environment. Because of the uniqueness of this kind of environment it should be a goal of the flight school to make this environment as conducive as possible for learning. Having facilities that the student can access that has similarities to a school and not a rental agency will also help â€Å"provide a personal, comprehensive environment for learning. (AV, 2008) Students should be treated and recognized as an individual, a student, and then a paying customer, not simply as cash flow; by a school that can take â€Å"pride in being able to cater to [students] needs. † (AV, 2008) This motivates the students, fosters learning, and generally establishes long-term relationships with the flight school for the student pilots aviation needs. The students should be equipped with Radio communication skills; this is because radio communications lie at the base of procedural flying. Proficiency in radio communication is fundamental to becoming a skilled procedural pilot. In air communications is an essential tool for all pilots. A student pilot should spend time, and effort to acquire an accurate radio technique. Good radio communication skills are of great value to the student at all aspects, and stages of his flying. Radio communications are designed to satisfy both the formal theoretical needs and the practical needs of all students’ professional and private pilots.