So, I got a discovery flight at a local FBO Thursday. What questions should I be asking these guys?

Thanks in advanced.

 

Find out how their pass rates are. Try to talk to some students there without the employees over their shoulder. Have the instructor give you a tour of the facility, watch them preflight, etc.

Most of all, have fun. There are a ton of things that should come up before you decide to start flight training there. You'll probably be on sensory overload so perhaps making a list of questions would help.

 

Hey kona you planning to fly in hawaii?

 

Discovery flights are a chance to see aviation up close without making a commitment. Ask yourself, is this something I like enough to spend $6k plus all my free time for the next 4 months on in order to achieve the most basic certificate? A lot of people say "yes" and an equal number say "no". You can take discovery flights on small helicopters and gliders also. It is money well spent if you are unsure if the investment in further training is worth it for you. I could also see taking a few lessons before deciding the issue as well, since one short flight may not be enough to adequately explore the subject.

If you decide flight training is for you, then the questions you will ask are of a different variety and we can deal with them later. For now just try and have some fun and think about how this fits into your life goals. For now just ask things like how can learning to fly enrich my life, and see what they say.

 

Have fun with it. And look at more than one school. Pass rate is important, but so is haveing an instructor you can relate to. If he's a crusty old guy who's mad at the world, and you're a young buck who likes to hang with his/her friends, find another instructor. AND MAKE SURE THEY KEEP THEIR FLEET LOOKING PROPER. I know looks aren't everything, but a sign of a well maintained aircraft is how clean it is. Everywhere I have worked, if the airplane isn't well looked after, it usually shows in a "first impression" of how clean it is.