Choosing a flying school is a difficult decision.  There are many variables to consider.  This is a short guide that may help you find one that is right for you!

Instructors

Find a school where you get on with the instructors, and you will enjoy learning from them.  Also check their qualifications.  If they have a qualification such as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as a Flight Instructor Rating, then they have the flying qualifications as well as formal teaching qualifications.

Remember that the quality of the instructor will have the biggest difference in how quickly you learn.  A great instructor in an old aircraft will teach you more than an average instructor in a new aircraft.

Instructors do not have to be old and grey - they need to be knowledgable, great communicators and passionate about aviation.  Find one you like.

Program Hours

Each flying school has a different curriculum to achieve a qualification such as a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL.)  This means that the amount of hours you 'buy' in the course can differ.

The minimum number of hours required to achieve a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) in Australia, set by CASA, is 150 hours.  You should choose a school that can graduate students at close to 150 hours.  Because people learn at different rates, not every student will achieve a CPL in 150 hours - but select a school where some students achieve this and you know you will be going to a college that has the facilities and staff to help you achieve it.

The more hours in the course that you buy should mean a higher cost.  Do not look only at the price, look at the number of hours you are buying in the course.  Also, look at the mix between dual (with an instructor) and solo/command (where you fly by yourself.)  If there are not at least 70 hours of dual instruction in a CPL, you may not have enough instruction time to achieve a CPL in as few as hours as possible.

Inevitably, you will be charged more for any flying you do over the curriculum.  Make sure you know how much any extra flights will cost.

Ground School

A good ground school will more than pay for itself.  If you cover the theory well on the ground, and revise before a flight, you will learn more during each flying lesson (and the flying lessons are the expensive bit - so you do not want to repeat them.)

Look for a school with a clear structure to the theory delivery.  It has been proven that students learn when lessons are scheduled well, delivered at the correct pace, interesting and dynamic.  Always ask to have a look at the theory delivery - it will save you money in the long run!

Glass Cockpit vs Analog Cockpit

New aircraft frequently have glass cockpits.  This means that the instrument panel is new technology with digital displays.  This often looks very modern and fancy.  However, remember that in your first couple of jobs in aviation (charter, instructing etc...) you will probably not use a glass cockpit.  Selecting a school where you learn on analog instruments will increase your employability as soon as you graduate.

Hidden Charges

There are a lot of different costs in aviation, and some schools do not include them in their fees.  Ask about fees such as landing charges, insurance, impact of changing fuel prices, text books, headsets etc...

The Fleet

The type of aircraft you learn on does not make a significant difference to how well you learn or how long it takes.  There are many different types of aircraft out there, and each manufacturer has valid claims on the differing strengths of the aircraft.

But make sure you select a school that has sufficient capacity.  You do not want to be waiting around for an aircraft to become available.

The best indication of whether or not a school has sufficient capacity is whether or not they have a set schedule for students.  If you have a set schedule each day, there is likely to be enough aircraft.  If bookings are made adhoc, then it could be an indication there are not enough aircraft to go around.