New Report Uncovers Flight Training Challenges and Shifts

Redbird Flight released the results of its fifth-annual State of Flight Training Survey, providing key findings and in-depth analysis on the health of the flight training industry. The report is based on data collected from over 1,400 industry stakeholders, including flight training organization owners and managers, flight instructors, designated pilot examiners, active and prospective students, and certificated pilots. It highlights emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of flight training.

“Our goal with this report was to capture the evolving flight training landscape and provide valuable insights to help flight training professionals make informed decisions about their businesses, from the customer experience they provide to the instructional approaches they employ to prepare students for a practical test,” said Redbird’s VP of Customer Experience Josh Harnagel. “The annual report helps identify the emerging trends that will define the industry in the coming years.”

The report shows that training costs and completion times have stabilized after years of steady increases. The median cost for a private pilot certificate remains around $14,000, with training durations averaging six months. The cost of an instrument rating increased by 6% to $12,750, a slower rise than previous years, while commercial training costs decreased by 3% to $28,000. Larger flight training organizations continue to perform better than small schools and independent instructors, benefiting from economies of scale. Flight simulators are gaining more traction, with 87% of active students planning to use one in 2025, a trend not fully matched by instructors and examiners.

While the industry remains strong, challenges persist. Pilot examiner shortages, aircraft insurance costs, maintenance expenses, and economic uncertainty continue to impact training providers. Independent flight instructors report difficulty accessing training aircraft, with 63% relying on customer-owned planes for lessons.

The full report can be viewed here.