No Dumb Questions

Q.I am going to get my private license this weekend (hopefully), and I'm excited to continue training. Is it better to go to a school with "year round" weather conditions in a place such as Florida, or is it better to go to a school that has wind, snow, hills, and not-so-year-round weather conditions? I want to be ready for as much as possible and still get done quickly.

Brad T.

A.When it comes to climate and terrain, there's something to be said for training in the environment that you expect to fly in. So, if you live in Colorado, it's probably a good idea to do your training in a place that has mountains. By the same token, if you live on the coast, training near the shore can give you a chance to experience the sudden weather shifts and rapidly developing fog that are common in many coastal areas.

If you want to finish your training quickly, you may choose an accelerated program conducted either at your home airport or at a facility in another part of the country. The advantages to these programs are that you will earn your rating or certificate quickly and you will have a good estimate of the total cost before you begin. The primary disadvantage is that the training can be a little overwhelming.

In choosing a program, think about your priorities. Is it more important to train near home, or is finishing the training quickly the top priority? Do you need to get away so you won't be distracted by the demands of job and family, or is it important to be able to train around your work schedule? Answering such questions can help you to make the best choice for you.

To help with the decision making process, try listing all of the things that you want from a training program. Make the list as exhaustive as possible. Then rate each item's importance. This will help you to sort through all of the competing elements that go into your decision. Next, look at the most important factors and decide which ones are must-have items and which would be nice to have. Select a handful of options based on these criteria and make some phone calls. Ask specific questions about the training programs and seek references from past customers.

It's important to recognize that, as with a private pilot certificate, each advanced rating is a "license to learn." Use it that way. If you train away from home, spend some time with an instructor at your home airport learning how to handle local procedures, terrain, and weather. If you live and train in the flatlands but are planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains, get some mountain instruction before you go and once you get there. Just because your certificate says that you are rated to do something doesn't mean it's a good idea to jump in head first.