Choosing the "best" school often comes down to the Part 61 vs. Part 141 decision. If you're searching for schools in your local area, don't just look at the hourly rental rate. You should interview the instructors or talk to people who have flown in your area. Find Facebook groups or ask here or in Reddit. Key things to look for: Instructor Availability: Are they fully booked 3 weeks out? If so, your progress will stall. Fleet Maintenance: Ask to see their maintenance logs or just look at the planes on the ramp. A school with 5 planes but 3 in the shop is a red flag. Syllabus: Part 141 schools follow a strict FAA-approved syllabus (good for career-track), while Part 61 allows for more flexibility (often better for working adults). Resources: Check the AOPA Flight School Finder or searching specifically for "Part 61 flight schools [Your City]" to find smaller, independent clubs that might not rank as high on Google, but offer great training.