In ‘Why Student Pilots Quit’, our Sue Tholen examines current survey data, FAA statistics, and industry research to look beyond the familiar explanations of cost and time and identify the factors that flight schools can actually influence. The evidence points to training structure, lesson frequency, instructor continuity, visible progress, briefings and debriefings, student confidence, and early intervention as important components of student retention. The report also identifies specific points in training where students appear most vulnerable to dropping out and offers practical strategies schools can use to recognize problems earlier and create a training experience that feels planned, accountable, and finishable. If improving student completion, reducing unnecessary training hours, and strengthening the student experience matter to your operation, download the report and see what the evidence suggests.
Be sure to join Sue at the Ascend Flight Training Conference in Dallas, TX on September 9th when she joins a panel discussion on this exact topic.