Choosing a flight school is a big decision. One of our current High Gear to Airline Career students asked us to share this letter with you. We hope it might answer some of your possible questions and concerns about learning to fly.
“Dear Prospective Student,
My name is Garrett and I am currently enrolled in the High Gear program at High Flight academy. The High Gear program is a fast track career pilot program and is centered around getting its students from learning the basics all the way to becoming a career pilot with the airlines.
Becoming a pilot was not always my number one goal in life. I went to college and got a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, I worked as a part time police officer for a few years, and I also worked in the insurance industry as an auto claims adjuster. Through my early career my initial goal was to work in the criminal justice system or in a role that I could be a lead investigator. However, I was not enjoying what I was doing. I did not have motivation to wake up every day and go to work. I was overly stressed and was not happy with where my life was. So, I started looking at a career change. I looked at what I enjoyed doing, such as traveling, going on trips, and even flying as a passenger. When I was young I took a couple discovery flights and remember how exciting it was to be in the air and have the pilot let me handle the controls. When I put all these memories and passions together that is when I started my search into flight schools and finally enrolled in High Flight Academy’s: High Gear program.
I looked into several programs each of them being a little different. Some were with colleges that required a 2- or 4-year commitment, I looked at the big pilot schools down south, and I looked at schools similar to the size of High Flight. When I came for a visit High Flight, the facilities were top of the line. As I met everyone I got the feeling that everyone here was a family and each person was there wanting to see me succeed. They listened to what my goals were and they were honest about how they felt they can get me to those goals.
This program has been perfect for me and my decision to change careers. The program was designed to be 8-10 months long, and to teach you to fly at your own pace. As a High Gear Student, we are at the airport everyday Monday through Friday and we try to fly twice a day, weather permitting. In between those flights we are studying for upcoming licenses exams or flight planning for the next day of flying. If we miss flights due to weather, we always have the option to fly on the weekends as well to make up the time. This program is set up to be flexible to make sure that you are most productive with every day and every flight. I am trying to get to the airlines or corporate charters as quickly as possible so having a program that was quick was important to me, but I did not want a program that was so strict on it’s schedule, that I would not be able to repeat lessons if I did not feel comfortable moving on.
When I compared the High Gear program to other programs there were several factors that went into my decision to enroll. The individual attention I get from my instructor. As a student I am assigned a specific instructor that works with me during preflight, in flight and debriefs me after the flight to make sure that I understand everything that I have learned. Even when my instructor is not available, I have become close with all the instructors and they are always willing to answer any of my questions. The competitive cost and quality of education I am receiving was another factor in my decision. There are few programs out there that you will find that are cheaper than the High Gear program and if you do visit those programs their facilities, equipment, and instruction show the poor quality. The quality of education I am receiving for what I am paying for is top notch.
I recommend the High Gear program to anyone that is looking to start a career in aviation. Whether the person is coming out of high school or if they are looking for a career change such as myself. The people at High Flight are passionate about what they are doing and want to see everyone that comes through the doors succeed and reach their fullest potential as a pilot.
Best Regards,
Garrett G.
High Gear Student”
Still have questions, or want to experience High Flight for yourself? Contact us online or in person.