AOPA Flight Training Excellence Awards

How much an instructor flies, how much he makes, how many hours he has—these are things that are irrelevant. The only factor that truly matters in flight instruction is what the student—the customer—thinks and if the student is successful in reaching his or her goals.

With that in mind we asked students around the country what they thought of their flight training experience. What follows is the best flight training providers in the country, as measured by their students. Flight schools of every size, shape, and location are featured, as are all types of flight instructors, from independent professionals who teach on the weekend to chief instructors at highly respected and busy schools. These are the winners of AOPA’s 2014 Flight Training Excellence Awards.

Awards are given in two major categories: flight schools and flight instructors. Students were asked to rate their training provider on a number of different factors, including topics such as use of a syllabus and perception of value. The questions were based directly on AOPA’s research into the ideal flight training experience, which revealed dozens of factors that create a good training program.

The results were tallied and winners were divided in to three levels: Honor Roll, Outstanding School or Instructor, and Best Flight School and Flight Instructor in the country. Winners in the Best category scored the highest, Outstanding winners were in the top 20 percent, and Honor Roll schools and instructors scored in the top 30 percent. In short, these training providers give their students the best chance of success.

On the following pages you’ll find a breakdown of the poll results, including what schools and instructors are collectively doing really well and not so great, profiles of the Best Flight School and Best Flight Instructor, and, finally, a full list of winners.

Congratulations to all the schools and instructors, and be on the lookout for the 2015 poll to be released mid-year.

Flight training Poll

Poll completions: 3,600 / Total flight schools evaluated: 1,447/ Flights schools with 2+ evaluations: 153 / Flight schools with 5+ evaluations: 52 / Total instructors evaluated: 1,500 / Flight instructors with 2+ evaluations: 174 / Flight instructors with 5+ evaluations: 49 / Students’ Choice Winner (Flight School): Aviation Adventures (198 evaluations) / President’s Choice Winner: GIFT Academy

Attributes rated the highest among all schools (in order—highest score first):

1. "My flight school promoted events and gatherings for students, new pilots, and the local pilot community."

2. "After each flight, my instructor reviewed what we had accomplished, what still needed to be worked on, and what I should prepare for my next lesson."

3. "My flight school has a positive atmosphere, including the instructors and staff."

4. "The staff and instructors carried themselves in a professional manner."

5. "I was introduced to online resources for flight planning and weather and shown how they can be used to aid my decision making."

Attributes rated the lowest among all schools (in order—lowest score first):

1. "Based on the information provided before beginning training, the time I ended up investing was too much."

2. "Based on the information provided the flight school before beginning training, the money I ended up investing was too much."

3. "My aviation milestones (solo, new ratings, new endorsements) were celebrated."

4. "I was asked by flight school staff for formal feedback on mycustomer satisfaction. "

5. "I had an opportunity (even if I didn’t take it) to meet my examiner before a practical test."

What trait(s) about the training experience should be emulated at other schools around the country?

“Early introduction to flying in complex airspace.”

“Genuine concern for students and their safety and proficiency.”

“I was always allowed to bring others in on my training, and the ability to bring my wife and older child with me on dual instruction made training a family activity.”

“The value that they offer students. They have well-maintained aircraft and there are no surprises. They take the financials into consideration when formulating the training. This helped in me completing my training and not quitting midway because of finances.”

“Defined syllabus, impeccable documentation, constant feedback, encouragement and support, honest expectations of cost and time required.”

What could they do better?

(Note: This question was not scored, but rather asked as a point for constructive feedback to help move the industry towards the optimal flight training experience.)

“Have more instructors who are not trying to check a box to get to the airlines. Understand instructing is a necessary stepping stone, but it’s almost like the student is serving the instructor rather than the other way around.”

“Clearer communication on what I could do while waiting for my medical to renew."

“After ground school is over, I wish they would have gatherings or events just for student pilots going through training. To reconnect and share training experiences. I feel a bit isolated from other students and would like the opportunity to meet new student pilots as well.”

“It would be nicer if the website was a little easier to use.”

>>View the complete list of 2014 AOPA's Flight Training Excellence Award Recipients