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Training & Safety Flight Schools Flight Training Initiative AOPA Flight Training Awards

The 2025 AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards Application Period is Now Closed

Thank you to everyone who submitted applications!

Our panel is currently in the review process and is excited to evaluate the outstanding entries we received.

Winners will be revealed at Redbird Migration 2025, taking place March 4-5 in Denver, CO.

Be sure to check back for the latest news regarding the awards.

Program Details

New for 2025: A Revamped Recognition Process

We’ve revamped the Flight Training Experience Awards for 2025, transitioning from a survey-based model to a more focused, application-driven approach. This new process ensures that our awards reflect the best in flight and ground training, as demonstrated by those flight schools and instructors most committed to providing an excellent experience for their students and clients.

This year, we're inviting you to submit an application that provides a more comprehensive picture of your training program and its impact.

Why Participate

  • Increase your program's appeal to prospective students and clients.
  • Demonstrate your standing among the industry's best.
  • Show your commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional training.

How to Participate

To be considered for an AOPA Flight Training Experience Award:

  • Complete and submit an application.
  • Request reviews from students, clients, instructors, or DPEs who have trained or conducted business with you in the last 12 months. This is included in the application process.

Selection Process

Applications are screened using statistical measures, and top award recipients are selected by a panel of industry experts who are unaware of the identity of the school or instructor being judged.

Award Categories

  • Regional: Best Flight School, Best Instructor, Distinguished Flight Schools, Distinguished Instructors.
  • National: Top Flight School, Top Instructor.

FLIGHT TRAINING EXPERIENCE AWARD RULES

Review the 2025 AOPA Flight Training Experience Award rules.

Flight Schools

The Flight Training Experience Awards

Celebrate excellence in aviation education by recognizing outstanding flight schools that set the standard in pilot training. This is your opportunity to showcase your school's commitment to producing safe, skilled, and confident pilots.

Before you begin, please carefully review the application requirements and prepare all necessary documents to ensure a smooth application process.

Flight School Application Requirements

  1. The applicant must be employed by the flight school.
  2. The applicant must be a current member of AOPA at the time of application and award presentation. Not a member? Join now.
  3. Request and provide at least ten (10) reviews from students or clients who trained with your school in the past 12 months.
    • Additional reviews from instructors and DPEs who have conducted business with your school in the past 12 months are encouraged.
    • We will also consider customer reviews from your AOPA Airport Directory listing submitted in the past 12 months.
  4. Maintain a current AOPA Airport Directory listing for each airport where you operate. To request a listing, email: airportdirectory@aopa.org.

Requesting Reviews

Applicants will enter their references' names and email addresses in the application. Email invitations to submit a review will be sent to your references. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their references complete the reviews by the deadline.

Prepare This Information Before Applying

  • Your AOPA membership number
  • Your AOPA Airport Directory listing URL
  • Number of aircraft
  • Number and type of simulators (if applicable)
  • Number and type of instructors working at your school
  • Photos of your school’s key areas (e.g., storefront, reception area, classroom/briefing rooms, flight line, hangar)

Maximize Your AOPA Airport Directory Presence

Helpful Hints

  1. Encourage reviews from students, clients, instructors, employees, and anyone conducting business with your school
  2. Respond promptly to any negative reviews to resolve issues
  3. Regularly check and update your listing(s)

Remember that the AOPA Airport Directory reviews factor into award consideration, so maintain an active, positive presence. If you don’t have a listing in the AOPA Airport Directory, we encourage you to request one—it’s FREE! Your listing will reach over 46,000; monthly viewers and is also included in Foreflight and Garmin business listings. To request a listing, email: airportdirectory@aopa.org.

Review the 2025 AOPA Flight Training Experience Award rules.

Applications Closed on October 31, 2024

Instructors

The Flight Training Experience Awards

Celebrate excellence in aviation education by recognizing outstanding instructors who go above and beyond in their instruction. Whether you're a flight or ground instructor, this is your opportunity to showcase your dedication to shaping the next generation of pilots.

Before you begin, please carefully review the application requirements and prepare all necessary documents to ensure a smooth application process.

Instructor Application Requirements

  1. The applicant must be a current member of AOPA at the time of application and award presentation. Not a member? Join now.
  2. Request and provide at least five (5) reviews from students or clients who trained with you in the past 12 months.
    • Additional reviews from instructors and DPEs who have trained or conducted business with you in the past 12 months are encouraged.

Requesting Reviews

Applicants will enter their references' names and email addresses in the application. Email invitations to submit a review will be sent to your references. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their references complete the reviews by the deadline.

Prepare This Information Before Applying

  • Your AOPA membership number
  • Required documents (photos or scans):
    • Your CFI certificate
    • If applicable, proof of membership in at least one professional association (you may also include any additional credential, if applicable)
    • Your endorsement log for the past 12 months (e.g., checkride and knowledge test sign-offs and results). Note: You may obscure student-identifying information
  • Total number of instructional hours given

Review the 2025 AOPA Flight Training Experience Award rules.

Applications Closed on October 31, 2024

Awards & Past Winners

Awards Categories

Applications are screened using statistical measures, and top award recipients are selected by a panel of industry experts who are unaware of the identity of the school or instructor being judged.

MEET OUR WINNERS

Best Flight School and Best Instructor

This award is presented to the flight school and instructor in each region who submit a completed application and receive the highest overall score from the selection committee in this category.

Six awards will be presented for each of the two categories, Best Flight School and Best Instructor, and one for each of the following regions: Western, Pacific, Central Southern, Great Lakes, Eastern, and Southern. A national winner for each category will be selected from among the six regional award recipients.

Distinguished Flight Schools and Instructors

This award is presented to flight schools and instructors who submit a completed application and achieve superior ratings from their customers on the areas highlighted in the Flight Training Experience Research (educational quality, customer focus, community, and information sharing).

Applications Closed on October 31, 2024


AOPA’s You Can Fly Program

The Flight Training Experience Awards are part of the You Can Fly program. You Can Fly is a comprehensive set of initiatives designed to get people flying and keep them flying. The Flight Training Experience Awards support that effort by recognizing flight schools and instructors that deliver exceptional training experiences. Click here to read the Flight Training Experience Research.

The You Can Fly program is made possible by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation. To make a contribution, and have your gift matched by the Ray Foundation, visit aopafoundation.org/challenge

You Can Fly