Career Tips

Problem: I live in a small community with one flight school, few instructors, iffy weather, and minimal training opportunities. Should I head for the big city where the local junior college will give me credit for my flying and the big flight school has lots of airplanes and options to offer me?

My AOPA Project Pilot student has posed this problem to me as he yearns to fly, but fears the pitfalls of a small-town flight school. Given his good job in a small community, he's concerned about getting his training in a timely manner.

We discussed the pros and cons of the big city flight school that's affiliated with a junior college. Completing your training quickly (assuming you've got the funds) is a bonus, as is the access to more pilots and more airplanes. Learning in a busy traffic environment will also improve your radio and airspace skills, but can cost you money as you taxi long distances or wait on the ground for takeoff clearance. Flight to the practice area may take longer and you may accomplish less with each lesson, requiring more hours to complete your certificate. College credit for your training is great if you need it, but if not, the out-of-town living expenses can drain your budget.

Often the biggest opportunities for new pilots can be found at the smallest flight schools. My friend's instructor flies the local fire patrol in a Cessna 172 daily and as sole pilot would probably welcome an enthusiastic student to accompany him, watch, learn, and serve as a human autopilot. These kinds of opportunities are rare in a big city, particularly at flight schools with lots of students competing for the same left seat. If that patrol pilot is your instructor, you'll receive invaluable experience just for showing up and being prepared and eager to learn.

Either option will net you the training you seek, but more important is what follows your training. Typically, employed pilots have some clout when it comes to recommending a replacement. Hiring a known quantity is much easier for an employer than dealing with a stack of resumes. Low-time pilot employment becomes a realistic possibility if you've demonstrated your interest and aptitude for the job.

Review your options as you investigate your training alternatives. List the pros and cons for each option and then consult a knowledgeable source. The cheapest training is not always the best course of action, as a local pilot once found after returning from a Midwest flight school where she obtained most of her ratings. She was qualified, but since she had spent her training dollars elsewhere, local pilots had priority when a job was available. Spending more at home may ensure a job opportunity when you're done because you know the ropes-and, more important, your future employer knows you and your skills.

Capt. Karen Kahn is the author of Flight Guide for Success: Tips and Tactics for the Aspiring Airline Pilot and a career counselor. A Master CFI and 30-year airline pilot, she flies the Boeing 757/767 for a major U.S. carrier.