Running a flight school successfully requires understanding what's working and what isn't. Key performance indicators (KPIs) help owners measure success, identify improvement opportunities, and make informed decisions. This article covers essential metrics every flight school should track.

Enrollment Metrics

New student enrollments per month
Active student count
Inquiry-to-enrollment conversion rate
Lead sources and their effectiveness

Operational Metrics

Monthly flight hours per aircraft
Aircraft utilization rates
Average revenue per flight hour
Peak vs. off-peak utilization

Student Success Metrics

Student completion rates
Average hours to certificate
First-time checkride pass rates
Time to solo
Student retention rates

Financial Metrics

Monthly revenue
Operating margins
Accounts receivable aging
Cost per flight hour

Staff Metrics

CFI turnover rate
Average instructor tenure
Student-to-instructor ratio

Using Metrics for Improvement

Track metrics regularly and act on them. Low utilization means improve scheduling or marketing. Low pass rates mean improve curriculum. High CFI turnover means examine compensation and work environment. Continuous improvement based on data drives success.

Conclusion

What gets measured gets managed. Flight schools that systematically track and act on key metrics make better decisions, identify problems early, and continuously improve operations. Data-driven management creates competitive advantages and better outcomes.

Measuring Success: Key Metrics for Flight School Performance