A Closer Look at Accelerated Instrument Training

It seems more and more airline pilot training organizations are offering what is commonly called “accelerated flight training”. What is this and can it be used effectively for your training?

Accelerated flight training is designed to get you through the airline pilot training process quickly and efficiently. It is commonly used in two situations; the first being for busy people that have a hard time taking flight lessons 1 to 3 times week, and the second for the person that needs to complete training that has seemingly “dragged on” for a long period of time. Sometimes this is called a “finish up course”.

I participated in an accelerated flight training course because at the time my job was very demanding and I was a single parent and time was at a premium.

Accelerated flight training requires your full-time attention and works only when you are prepared as much as possible before you show up at your training location.  It is important to know what your training provider requires that you have completed before your arrival.   In fact know more than they require.  I even reviewed the entire syllabus before I arrived.

The ability of your training provider to deliver on the promises they made is dependant on your ability to arrive prepared.

Just like a good landing requires a good approach – if you arrive at your accelerated training school not prepared, your chances for a good “landing” diminish greatly.

In addition most accelerated flight training schools will strongly suggest that you arrive alone and “without your golf clubs” as one school told me.  In short accelerated flight training takes focus and commitment.  If you want a relaxing vacation, you can enjoy that when you are done with training, not during.  For some people like me, my accelerated flight training experience was a vacation.  However I was there on my own and I did not have to make sure that I was showing someone else a good time.  I was there to learn.

In addition to arriving prepared knowledge wise, you should also arrive in the best of health by eating right for weeks before you arrive.  And speaking of eating; be careful what you eat while you are doing the training.  One school I know of suggests skipping food items that might not be fresh or that are new to you.  You need to be at the top of your learning game by supplying your body with quality food.

Accelerated flight training really works, although it is not for everyone. It can also save you money and loads of time.  Accelerated flight training is to at least me, a vacation like experience.  It allows one to get away, focus on something fun and get the feeling of a great accomplishment in a timely manner.  I personally have attended several accelerated flight training courses and really enjoyed the time away from home and the feeling of total submersion in a subject that I love.  It also allowed me to accomplish something wonderful on my vacation from my “day job”, that is before I made aviation my day job.

As I said it’s not for everyone.  The problem with accelerated flight training is that you and the school are committed to get you done on time.  In some cases, the school as a “guaranteed” price and will do anything to get you done – does that really sound like a good plan?  The other problem with accelerated training is that some people need more time to retain the knowledge that the program allows.   The other thing I have heard is that the Private Pilot Certificate is not the most ideal certificate for an accelerated flight training course.  The reason is because this will be your first flight course and there is a great deal of material to cover.  Plus since you are not yet instrument rated the weather can change your completion time.  When planning to participate in an accelerated flight training course allow extra time for unforeseen issues.

Accelerated flight training seems to work best for all the ratings that follow the private.

So when you consider an accelerated training program, you should have the “arrive prepared” mentally and most important, when are done and have your certificate or rating you should honestly ask yourself this important question From experience, I can tell you that I enjoy accelerated flight training, but in one case the training left me some additional questions. So I invested another $500 in flight training after I received my certificate just to solidify some of that training.  However I still feel like my accelerated flight training was a good value, even after spending some additional money when I got home.  I know of two others that did the same as I did, flew with an instructor for a time or two after they passed their instrument rating.

Again after you get home and after you get that white slip, please ask yourself the important question, “did I receive all the training that I need to be safe and have fun?”

You will have more fun, make a positive impression on your passengers and be a better pilot.

About the author:  Gary Bradshaw is a former NAFI Master CFI, a Gold Seal flight instructor and owns Pilot Journey.com.