Choosing a program

Questions to ask on a trial visit

SkyYouth · 7 min read

Bring this list to a trial class. Most providers answer the first two questions easily, and that's exactly where the useful information is.

Before the visit: set your own criteria

1. Hobby, or competing?
2. How much time per week, including travel?
3. What's the yearly ceiling?

With those answered, one visit is usually enough to decide. Without them, every provider looks similar.

Eight questions, in order of importance

1. How many minutes per student are actually flying? Total class length tells you nothing. Ask for the number.
2. What is the student-to-aircraft ratio? Two or three to one is workable. Ten to one is a demonstration.
3. What does a child achieve at the end of each stage? Vague answers here mean there is no plan.
4. Who supplies the gear, and who pays for damage? Ask before, not after.
5. How is safety enforced? Look for a written pre-flight checklist and a dedicated safety role.
6. What happens if my child falls behind or loses interest? Look for an actual adjustment, not reassurance.
7. Do students enter recognised competitions, and what did past students actually do?
8. What are the refund, transfer and expiry rules? In writing.

What to watch during the trial

Don't judge whether your child had fun — they almost certainly will. Watch these instead:

• Does the instructor cover rules before handing out hardware?
• Is your child actually on the sticks, or watching a demo?
• How much of the session is queuing?
• Can the instructor say afterwards what improved and what to work on?

Two things worth paying more for

• Stick time. More flying minutes per child is the single clearest quality signal.
• Spares on site. If a prop breaks, does the session continue or end?

Two things not worth paying more for

• Premium hardware. Beginners don't benefit from it, and it makes crashes more expensive.
• Bundled kit you won't use. Buy what the syllabus needs.

Red flags

• "Guaranteed" outcomes of any kind.
• Urgency: "this price is only valid today".
• No written terms for refunds or damage.
• Anything about admissions or scholarships stated as a certainty.

A simple verdict test

If your child can do one small task unaided at the end, and can say what was unsafe, that was a good session. If they had fun but can't describe anything they learned, keep looking.

Take notes, then sleep on it

Score each provider out of five on the eight questions, add them up, and decide the next day. It's remarkable how often the scoring contradicts the first impression.

A good programme invites you to try, ask and inspect safety. It doesn't ask for payment first.

General information only - not enrolment, buying or admissions advice. Check current rules with your local aviation authority and official sources.