When Should a Student Pilot Change Instructor or School?

If you are looking to change your instructor or school, then this guide is for you. Read below to learn more about the process and valid reasons for switching:

Changing instructors or flight school is a bigger decision than you may think.

Since pilot training requires a lot of time and financial commitment, it is better to address issues early on rather than drag on and lose time, money, and confidence.

If you are looking to change your instructor or school, then this guide is for you. Read below to learn more about the process and valid reasons for switching:

Understanding The Signs That Warrant a Change

If you are passionate about aviation but feel stuck, it can be extremely frustrating and discouraging.

This is why we recommend that you recognise red flags and warning signs early on and make a decision.

Here are some signs to keep in mind:

Your progress has stalled

Pilots are not meant to plateau. Every pilot thinks of themselves as a student. Even the greatest pilots still think that they have more room to grow – and this mindset is exactly what sets aviators apart from other professionals.

Pilots need to continue growing and learning via practice and training.

If you are a student who keeps practicing the same exercise without moving forward, or if the instructor cannot explain what you need to improve on, then it might be time to make some changes.

Furthermore, if there are no clear milestones set for solo, navigation, or skills test, and if you feel you are flying often but not progressing, then you may need to address the issue ASAP or risk losing time, money, and more importantly, motivation.

Professional instructors, such as the ones at Sherburn, are specifically trained to help pilots understand the exact stage they are at along with their weaknesses, and a solid plan to address them.

If your instructor or school cannot offer this, then you may start looking for alternatives.

Poor Communication

Aviation is built on solid communication. If your instructor is constantly negative or intimidating, or you feel afraid to ask questions, then you will have to switch immediately.

These are the type of conditions that set you up for failure and delays in the future. Candidates who feel that their instructors don’t give clear explanations or constructive feedback can become demotivated fairly quickly.

Apart from training pilots in the art of flying and imparting important theoretical concepts, an instructor’s job is to make aviation a fun and welcoming activity.

We recommend that you speak to the school’s administrators for a solution. If a solution cannot be reached, then your best bet will be to go with another flight school that respects and values you, your time, money, and efforts.

Safety Reasons

Safety is the top priority in aviation. Some important safety factors to consider when flying include performing pre-flight checks, weather monitoring, flight planning, communication, keeping a safety kit handy, and following flying safety regulations.

Certain medical conditions prevent you from flying, including heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, vision and hearing impairments, mental illness, immunocompromised conditions, and pregnancy.

If your instructor dismisses your safety concerns or offers poor debriefing and pressures you to fly when conditions are unsuitable, then you can report them to the school or directly to the CAA with proof.

These conditions are grounds for immediate termination and strict investigation that can result in fines and even suspensions.

Always take your safety seriously and ensure that you are flying with instructors that not only care about your safety but also the safety of others in the sky.

The School is Not Organised

Organisation is central to good flight schools.

If the aircraft at your school are frequently unavailable and have poor maintenance, then you shouldn’t waste your time and find another school.

Disorganised schools are infamous for cancelled lessons without explanation and are notorious for not providing records or progress updates in a timely manner. If any of these things sound familiar, then you should take your money and leftover motivation to a competent flight school.

You are Not Getting Value for Money

Flight training in general is an expensive endeavour, so you should always assess if what you are getting is worth the money you are spending.

Sometimes the instructors are at fault. In this case, if your instructor isn’t helping you progress quickly despite your positive track record, then you might need to change the instructor.

However, if you experience red flags frequently, then it’s better to change the school. Here’s what to look out for:

• Unexpected charges
• Excessive ground time billed without explanation
• Pressure to buy unnecessary hours
• No transparent training plan
• Hidden aircraft charges
• Unavailability of fleet

These issues are grounds for changing the school entirely. Keep in mind that the longer you stay at an institution that doesn’t value your time or your money, the more you risk delaying your progress and losing motivation.

Why Choose Sherburn Aero Club?

Sherburn Aero Club has been operational since 1964 and continues to pride itself on producing top-class pilots and offering top-notch aviation services.

The flying club opened a flight training school in the 1970s that offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.

It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country. It is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs, whether you are taking to the skies for an experience flight, starting your flying career, or have your own aircraft and are looking for hangarage.

Sherburn Aero Club’s fleet of aircraft includes the Piper PA-28 Cadet, the Piper PA-28 Warrior, and the Cessna 152 Aerobat (2-Seater). Major investments include an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse providing our members with a great environment while giving them the opportunity to pursue their love for flying.

Call us at 01977 682 674​​​, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on PPL licence requirements and when a student pilot should change their instructor or school.

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