Right Seat: Perfect fit

Some of that is because of supply. If a school wants or needs new aircraft, it is almost forced to go with a glass cockpit. Some of this is by choice—a choice with implications far beyond how many hours it will take a student to learn.

A large group of aviators believe that all flight training should be done in more traditional aircraft, in a traditional sequence. First come basic maneuvers, then solo, solo practice, advanced maneuvers, cross-country flying, and so on. The argument goes that glass cockpits are a siren of unnecessary information to new pilots— and that, as a result, students spend too much time learning to use the panel and not enough time flying the airplane.

Then there’s Western Michigan University. Few companies other than Cirrus would say that Cirrus manufactures a training aircraft. The company’s “entry level” SR20 has a 200-horsepower engine, airframe parachute, advanced digital cockpit with the latest generation autopilot, a constant-speed propeller, and a glide yoke.

With such a diverse philosophy in training, choosing a school may seem daunting.The school’s justification for using such an advanced airplane is simple: The program exists to find students jobs, and the airlines fly technologically advanced aircraft. Read “The End Game,” which begins on page 28, for more.

The counter argument is that glass cockpits are a distraction for new students, increasing cost and complexity, and taking focus away from looking outside and learning the basics of aircraft control. Relatively low-powered, simple airplanes are best for training, they say. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a “they.” The small school in east-central Pennsylvania has five Cessna 152s, three Piper Cherokee 140s, a Mooney, and a twin—all leased. Read their story, “Not Standing Still,” beginning on page 32.

With such a diverse philosophy in training, choosing a school may seem daunting. The standard college considerations come in to play: Cost, distance from home, class size, extracurricular activities, and how many friends are attending the same school will always play a part of the decision. Beyond that, the choice comes down to priorities. A student entering a college aviation program today who wants to fly for the airlines should seek out a program that has ties to a regional carrier. A big alumni network, job placement assistance, and advanced simulators can’t hurt.

Don’t want to fly for an airline? Aviation is a small world that rewards who you know more than what you know. It doesn’t matter which aviation college you go to, as long as you learn to network early and practice it often. Whether glass or steam, big or small, an aviation college is out there to suit every student.

Email Editor Ian J. Twombly at [email protected]; Twitter: ijtwombly; and visit Flight Training on Facebook.