How to Interview a Flight School

Ask essential questions before spending time and money on training with a mom-and-pop program.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, February 04, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

When it has been more than a decade since you were the PIC, there can be some jitters involved with a flight review. [Credit: CanvaPro]

Key Takeaways:

Evaluate a Part 61 flight school by inquiring about aircraft and instructor-to-student ratios, the maintenance program, and the availability of post-training aircraft rentals to ensure consistent training and skill maintenance.
Assess staff stability by asking about instructor and mechanic turnover rates, as frequent lateral departures can indicate underlying issues that might disrupt your training progress.
Exercise financial caution regarding pre-payments by understanding refund policies in writing, and always prioritize schools that demonstrate professionalism and a welcoming atmosphere from the outset.

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Question: I plan to start flight training this spring, and I am in the process of finding a flight school. I toured a local college that has a Part 141 program and decided I would do better training under Part 61 at a mom-and-pop school. What should I be looking for in Part 61 school?

Answer: Mom-and-pop style businesses, as the name implies, are often family operated and operate with a smaller budget than the larger, more academically oriented programs. The training is usually more flexible and to the same standards as the training in a Part 141 school.