5th Annual

State of Flight Training

Advances in flight training start with your feedback. The State of Flight Training Survey and Report helps the flight training community identify and analyze trends, priorities, strengths, and challenges to build a brighter future for aviation. 15 randomly selected respondents will receive a $100 Sporty's Gift Card. 

Who We're Surveying

Flight training providers, flight instructors, designated pilot examiners, prospective student pilots, student pilots, and pilots. If you're giving or receiving flight instruction, flying as a certificated pilot, or interested in learning to fly, we want to hear from you!

Plane at sunset

Why Participate

As pilots, we understand more than most just how important it is to have reliable data to get from point A to point B. The flight training community needs up-to-date, actionable information to prepare for the future, and the best source of information is, well, the flight training community. The responses that you share will provide insights that help guide the way forward for your peers and partners who are learning or teaching how to fly. Additionally, 15 randomly selected respondents will receive a $100 Sporty's Gift Card. 

Pilot flying a small airplane

State of Flight Training Survey

Thank you for participating in the 5th annual State of Flight Training survey. We want to hear from everyone who is involved in the industry, not just instructors and students.

A Few Definitions Before We Get Started

  1. Flight Training Organization or FTO: A flight school, aviation university program, academy, flying club, or training center that provides flight training of any kind.
  2. Designated Pilot Examiner or DPE: A person who has been designated by the FAA (or equivalent) to conduct pilot certification examinations.
  3. Independent Instructor: An instructor who provides training under FAA Part 61 (or equivalent) outside of an FTO.
  4. Active Student: A person who has received training for a new certificate or rating in the last three months. This person may already be a licensed pilot, but not a pilot training for proficiency only (for example, a flight review, IPC, or recurrent training).
  5. Lapsed Student: A person who started flight training but hasn't received training in the last three months. This does not include licensed pilots.
  6. Prospective Student: A person who is considering or planning on starting flight training, but hasn't started yet. This does not include licensed pilots who are planning on starting training for a new rating or certificate.
  7. Active Pilot: A licensed pilot who has flown in the last 12 months but isn't receiving training towards a new certificate or rating.
  8. Lapsed Pilot: A licensed pilot who has not flown in the last 12 months and isn't receiving training towards a new certificate or rating.

What Best Describes Your Role in the Flight Training Industry?

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