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:

When choosing a Part 61 flight school, assess resource availability by checking airplane-to-student and instructor-to-student ratios, ensuring opportunities to fly frequently and rent aircraft post-certification.
Investigate the school's operational stability by asking about maintenance programs and observing instructor turnover rates; high turnover, especially for lateral moves, can be a red flag.
Exercise caution with upfront payments, inquire about refund policies, and ensure they are in writing, only paying what you can afford to lose.
Prioritize a professional and welcoming atmosphere; your initial treatment and the general demeanor of staff are key indicators of a positive learning environment.

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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.