Don't Get Your Wings Clipped by Reviews: How to Be a Savvy Flight School Shopper
Online reviews are like feathers in the wind for potential pilots – they can guide you in the right direction, but they can also be easily ruffled. While reviews offer valuable insights into flight schools, it's important to approach them with a critical eye. Here's why you shouldn't blindly trust online reviews, especially the negative ones:
The Frustrated Flier vs. The Silent Flyer: People are more likely to leave a review after a rough landing, rather than a smooth flight. They want to vent their frustration and warn others. This creates a bias towards negativity. Happy students, on the other hand, often just move on with their positive experience and don't feel the need to leave a review.
Fake Reviews Exist (Fowl Play!): Shady competitors might try to take down a flight school with negative reviews, while some schools themselves might inflate their ratings with fake positive reviews. Be wary of reviews that seem overly generic or promotional, and watch out for broken English, which can be a sign of a fake review.
Specificity is Key: A one-star review that simply says "terrible instruction!" isn't very helpful. Look for reviews that detail the specific issue. Was the instructor not knowledgeable? Was the area not cleaned? These details will help you understand the root of the problem.
Consider the Context: Sometimes, a bad review might reflect a one-time mishap, like a grumpy instructor on a bad day, rather than a consistent problem. See if the reviewer mentions if the flight school addressed the issue. Additionally, a bad review for a complex issue might indicate student error rather than a fault of the flight school's instruction.
Look for Trends, Not Turbulence: Don't get hung up on a single bad review. Read multiple reviews and see if there are consistent issues. This will give you a better sense of the overall flight school experience.
Use Reviews as a Springboard, Not a Runway: Reviews are a piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture. Combine them with other research – the flight school's website, course descriptions, and independent media evaluations – to make an informed decision.
Here are some bonus tips for navigating online reviews for flight schools:
Bonus Tip: If you've had a positive experience with a flight school, consider leaving a balanced and helpful review to contribute to a more accurate picture! By Peter Schlieck
Online reviews are like feathers in the wind for potential pilots – they can guide you in the right direction, but they can also be easily ruffled. While reviews offer valuable insights into flight schools, it's important to approach them with a critical eye. Here's why you shouldn't blindly trust online reviews, especially the negative ones:
The Frustrated Flier vs. The Silent Flyer: People are more likely to leave a review after a rough landing, rather than a smooth flight. They want to vent their frustration and warn others. This creates a bias towards negativity. Happy students, on the other hand, often just move on with their positive experience and don't feel the need to leave a review.
Fake Reviews Exist (Fowl Play!): Shady competitors might try to take down a flight school with negative reviews, while some schools themselves might inflate their ratings with fake positive reviews. Be wary of reviews that seem overly generic or promotional, and watch out for broken English, which can be a sign of a fake review.
Specificity is Key: A one-star review that simply says "terrible instruction!" isn't very helpful. Look for reviews that detail the specific issue. Was the instructor not knowledgeable? Was the area not cleaned? These details will help you understand the root of the problem.
Consider the Context: Sometimes, a bad review might reflect a one-time mishap, like a grumpy instructor on a bad day, rather than a consistent problem. See if the reviewer mentions if the flight school addressed the issue. Additionally, a bad review for a complex issue might indicate student error rather than a fault of the flight school's instruction.
Look for Trends, Not Turbulence: Don't get hung up on a single bad review. Read multiple reviews and see if there are consistent issues. This will give you a better sense of the overall flight school experience.
Use Reviews as a Springboard, Not a Runway: Reviews are a piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture. Combine them with other research – the flight school's website, course descriptions, and independent media evaluations – to make an informed decision.
Here are some bonus tips for navigating online reviews for flight schools:
- Check the Review Date: Outdated reviews might not reflect the flight school's current state. Instructors, curriculums, and even fleets can change over time.
- Look for Verified Reviews: Some platforms verify reviewers' identities, adding a layer of trust.
- Consider the Reviewer's History: Do they mostly leave positive or negative reviews? Are their reviews specific to flight schools, or do they tend to leave negative reviews across the board? Or any at all?
- Read the School's Response: See how the flight school responds reviews. A professional response can show that the school cares about its students' feedback and is committed to improvement.
Bonus Tip: If you've had a positive experience with a flight school, consider leaving a balanced and helpful review to contribute to a more accurate picture! By Peter Schlieck