After seeing a decline in the pilot populations AOPA decided to research why only 20% of those in flight training complete the program. AOPA hired APCO Insight to conduct the research that surveyed 1,000 people who had taken flight training that included flight instructors, pilots, student pilots and lapsed student pilots.

Prior to the study most believed that time and cost were the biggest factors for students dropping out of flight training. However, the study unveiled that educational quality was actually the biggest reason. Another was that the students wanted a “sense of community” with more encouragement and support.

Are you a flight instructor or a flight school operator? What do you think of the research? Will it change the way you teach or organize the programs? What would you have changed about your own experience during flight school?

You can find out more about the study on the AOPA’s website.