Choosing a flight instructor is stressful; after all, they are your go-to source to master a dangerous practice. If you’ve determined that you want to take flying lessons around Bristol, then you’re probably faced with a few options in terms of instruction. Which one you choose will determine your entire flying experience, so you need to be sure to choose wisely. But how can you be sure? Here are a few important questions to ask:
How Long Have You Been in Business?
It’s natural to have more confidence in a business that has been open for longer. But there are other advantages to this as well; a more experienced business will likely have better resources, facilities, and connections to local and other airports to help you along your path to licensing. These advantages can be invaluable to getting you your license when you want it, and give you greater confidence at the same time.
Can You Provide References?
In this case, references are not just in reference to the quality of work but also to the style. You will be spending a lot of one on one time with your flight instructor, sometimes in stressful situations when you’re in the air, and they have to be someone that you feel comfortable with. Ask their references about their teaching style, their method of instruction, and their interpersonal manner. What works for them may not work for you, so keep your preferences in mind.
Question the Cost
Flying lessons are almost always expensive, but you want to know what you are paying for. Ask what the cost includes, how many other students your instructor is dealing with, and how they handle scheduling and cancellations. Learning how to fly should be a pleasant and exciting experience, not a frustrating haggling match over a misunderstood deal.
You should be confident when you embark on your flying lessons in Bristol, so take your time, and ask the necessary questions. Gather all the literature you can on your options, but be sure to speak in person as well, see the school, and get a real feel for what your experience will be like.
