How to choose the right flight school
Do you have a passion for flying? Maybe you are seriously considering attending a flight school to obtain your commercial license? The great news is that there are some fantastic flight schools out there. You just need to choose the right one. This might not be easy, as your expectations for high-quality learning, your budget and how well you pick up new skills in different environments can all affect your decision. With this in mind, let’s look at some of the things you should consider before selecting the best one for you.
Criteria for choosing an aviation school
As flying a plane can have a different meaning for many people, thinking about what you expect from your training should be your first consideration. Various flight academies will focus on a setlist of courses that will cater to a specific type of pilot, so you’ll need to know that what they offer aligns with what you’d like to achieve.
Remember that choosing the wrong aviation training institute can change the outcome of your time and effort. You could lose a significant investment if you do this and don’t realise it until it’s too late.
Certifications provided by the Aviation Training Institute
We provide extensive training with a range of leading flight courses that meet the needs of aspiring pilots everywhere. Egnatia Aviation is one of the top-5 EASA-approved training academies in Europe. We are an active member of the International Association of Aviation Personnel Schools (IAAPS) and strive for excellence in all we do.
Our partnerships
Major airlines have partnered with flight schools that can help accelerate new pilots’ careers with financial incentives (like tuition reimbursement). The more partnerships an academy has, the more you’ll be better able to select the airline you want to work with once your training is completed.
With this in mind, you’ll be happy to learn that we are the exclusive training partner for Iraqi Airways. We work closely with Wizz Air (who take on 100 cadets from our training program every year) and Aegean Airlines (who employs a selected number of cadets from Greece and Cyprus via its sponsorship for the Airline Pilot Integrated Program). Our international recognitions & partnerships are designed to bring the best opportunities to all our students.
Location & Facilities
Kavala International Airport (LGKV) is our main base of operations and consists of:
- Our training facilities (such as VOR/DME and NDB locators and a simulator room)
- Our well-appointed, modern offices
- A selection of large, fully equipped classrooms, modern briefing rooms
- Direct access to the airport apron
Students and visitors will also have access to the on-site cafe and restaurant.
Amygdaleonas Aerodrome “Lydia” (LGKM):
Egnatia Aviation acquired and is developing its own General Aviation airport, very close to Kavala town in Greece. The new airport will house the Egnatia Airline Pilot Training Academy, aircraft hangar, maintenance and CAMO services for all light aircraft and other airport services. Student accommodation and other facilities are also planned for development on site.
1st phase of development is completed, and it is expected to commence operations in Q4 of 2022.
Instructors’ Expertise
With 42 internationally trained, comprehensively skilled, expert instructors and 101 total personnel across Egnatia Aviation, students can expect nothing short of the highest level of education and mentor-based support both during and after courses are completed.
Things to consider when selecting a pilot academy
Employment rate
The pandemic caused a whole host of issues worldwide, but did you know that airline pilot demand is bigger than before?
As airlines function by prioritising seniority, it can be vital to get hired as soon as possible. If you secure a position, you can enjoy benefits like better flying schedules, higher salary and a faster way to advance your career. It may be worth researching flight schools with accelerated flying programs, and their experience and facilities should be able to cater to a more professional level of tuition.
The better the school’s standing and reputation are, the more opportunities there will be for qualifying students to get worthwhile roles in the airline industry. Make sure to look at the best ways to choose a flight school before you make your decision. As the airlines hire, choosing a flight school that delivers on all fronts is essential.
The good news is that here at Egnatia Aviation, we are proud to report a 95.7% employment rate for new graduates (within 1 year after graduation). We have trained more than 2,550 pilots. Also, we have a wide array of alumni flying in 61 different countries.
What the alumni say about the flight school
Alongside airlines’ opinions worldwide, alumni testimonials are crucial when finding a flight academy that can cater to your needs as a future pilot. At Egnatia Aviation, we are happy to boast a 98.1% success rate with 2,000+ working alumni in over 50 accredited airlines.
Price-hidden costs
As you can imagine, training costs aren’t going to be cheap. Nonetheless, there may be hidden fees you may not have accounted for. Many aviation academies aren’t clear about extra costs, but here at Egnatia Aviation, we aim to be as transparent as possible. Remember that doing some investigation on how to choose a flight school can be incredibly worthwhile.
So, let’s look at the typical costs of obtaining a pilot’s license.
Training packages for a CPL generally start at around 55,000€ but can reach up to 120,000€.
While this package will cover as much of your basic training as possible, there are additional costs that you’ll need to keep in mind, such as:
- Training equipment including uniforms, training charts, regional maps,
- Books
- Flight headsets and more
- iPad
- Fuel for the training aircraft
- Instructor and consulting fees
- Final examination and examiner fees for the final skill test
- Licensing procedures and issuance fees
- CAA administration and exam fees
- Necessary training courses for future employment (e.g. Advanced UPRT)
Is a European aviation school a good choice?
Our courses & Accreditations
When choosing the right pilot academy, you’ll have to consider more than just the lessons they provide. The best schools will work with you to gain the skills you need to be successful in your pilot career, from the interview stage to navigating the often-complex working environment. Well-established flight schools should have all the tools and equipment you need for an extensive learning experience. An airline-oriented methodology is a must for new pilots who want to specialise in flying for major commercial airlines.
In Egnatia Aviation, you can become a professional airline pilot and choose your training pathway, depending on your needs. You can enrol in:
Ab-initio packages
- All-Inclusive Airline Integrated Course
Modular Courses
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Night Rating
- Instrument Rating (ME/IR)
- Private Pilot License (PPL)
- Multi-Engine Piston Rating (MEP)
- ATPL Theory
- Hour Building
Advanced courses
- Airline Pilot Standards Multi Crew Cooperation (APS MCC)
- Advanced UPRT course
- PBN Course
- Multi-Crew Co-Operation (MCC)
Conversions courses
- Conversion of ICAO CPL into EASA
- Conversion for ME-CPL
- Conversion for ME-IR
- Conversion of ICAO ATPL into EASA
Our advanced airline integrated course includes:
- APS MCC: This course aims at ATPL(A)/CPL(A)/IR(A) holders to boost their current level of understanding regarding situational skills and awareness, as well as the handling and operation of a jet airliner, to meet airline entry-level requirements. It includes 35 hours of theoretical training and 40 hours of simulator (FNPT II) training over 21 days.
- PBN – Performance Based Navigation training allows pilots to reach higher attainment with PBN procedures. Participants will undertake long briefings, 3 hours of simulator training, course notes, 5 hours of in-class theory, in-house theoretical exams and a 1-hour Skill Test on the simulator with a PBN-approved examiner.
- Advanced UPRT offers training to flight crew regarding the prevention and recovery skills necessary for dealing with difficult flight situations. This course is required by airlines for the type rating process. The course includes all the required pre-flight and post-flight briefings, landing and take-off airport fees, flight equipment, supporting material, and applicable taxes. Also, cadets will be able to log 3 hours on a utility spin-approved aircraft (Diamond DA-20) and 5 hours of in-class theory.
Our modern fleet
When it comes to the equipment and facilities of a training school, nothing should be more critical than the fleet. So, what can you expect from Egnatia?
- We operate one of Europe’s biggest fleets of new generation Diamond aircraft.
- Our fleet includes 20 training aircraft: 7 DV20 Katana, 8 DA40 NG, 3 DA42 NG, 1 DA-20 and an AERO AT-3 aircraft.
- We have developed comprehensive training programs for both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft.
- We have an EASA-approved Maintenance Department and 6 FNPTII-approved ALSIM simulators.
And there’s more to come.
See more reasons to choose the Egnatia Aviation flight school!
Amazing location
As one of the most stunning locations for an airport, we are lucky enough to operate from Kavala International Airport (KVA/LGKV) in Greece. When choosing a flight school, the location can be an essential factor. The bright, stunning Mediterranean sunshine and reliable Southern Continental weather lend optimum conditions to our training academy year-round, which is fantastic for flight training on a well-designed and structured course.