Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $5.5bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The pilot shortage is fueling the industry's growth
- Major airlines have been concerned about a pilot shortage for over a decade. Airlines aren't allowed to employ pilots over 65 years of age, and forced retirement policies create attrition that many worry isn't adequately replenished by new pilots. These concerns surged as many pilots retired early amid the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on passenger air transport.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Flying schools will be be primarily responsible for addressing the worsening pilot shortage
- The pilot shortage is expected to get worse through the next period. Boeing's latest estimate (2024) expects steadily rising demand to create 127,000 new pilot jobs by 2042, but the current trajectory is set to keep the supply of new pilots significantly behind new job creation. Pilot attrition will exacerbate issues as the tail end of the massive Baby Boomer population reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65.
Biggest companies in the Flying Schools in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ATP Flight School LLC | 1,241.5 | 98.8 | 8.0 | |
Cae Inc. | 1,036.8 | -20.1 | -1.9 | |
Flightsafety International Inc. | 895.8 | 110.4 | 12.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate training, Private certificate training and Commercial certificate training. Airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate training is the largest segment of the Flying Schools in the US.
Trends and Insights
Commercial certificates are the industry's most expensive courses
- Commercial certificates enable recipients to fly for compensation or hire. Some airlines and private jet charter companies rely on pilots with commercial certificates to fly their aircraft, though others require more advanced certification. Commercial certificates also enable pilots to fly sightseeing, skydiving or other revenue-generating aircraft.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry provides instruction in piloting, aircraft operation and related areas. These schools leverage simulation and in-air training methods to offer a range of programs, including private pilot, commercial pilot and airline transport pilot certifications.
What's included in this industry?
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate trainingPrivate certificates trainingCommercial certificates trainingOther certificates trainingCompanies
ATP Flight School LLCCae Inc.Flightsafety International Inc.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ENPLANEMENTMAINLINE CARRIERSROTORCRAFTIndustry Code
NAICS 61151 - Flying Schools in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Airlines are struggling to keep their planes staffed. Staffing issues forced airlines to ground nearly a quarter of all flights in 2023, leading to salary hikes to attract ne...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Students under 25 are becoming a larger market for the industry. Ballooning student debt is making many recent high school graduates skeptical of college, leading them to pur...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Flying schools are typically close to metropolitan and popular regional airport hubs. States with significant military bases also draw flying schools for military aviation tr...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Flying schools compete mainly on tuition and links with major airlines. To soften the competition, some schools focus on improving their reputation or forming ties with airli...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Major schools' relationships with airlines allow them to control much of the market. ATP Flight School, Cae and FlightSafety all maintain partnerships with commercial airline...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of ATP Flight School LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Cae Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Flightsafety International Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for ATP Flight School LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Cae Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Flightsafety International Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Flying schools are heavily regulated and receive little government assistance. FAA is the primary regulatory body that governs flying schools. Most of the FAA's Aviation Work...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Flight schools heavily rely on well-compensated instructors. Over a quarter of the industry's revenue goes to wages, as instructors' training and certification costs often ex...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States is $5.5bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Flying Schools in the US industry in 2024?
There are 1,033 businesses in the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Flying Schools in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Flying Schools market in United States are ATP Flight School LLC, Cae Inc. and Flightsafety International Inc.
What does the Flying Schools in the US in United States include?
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate training and Private certificates training are part of the Flying Schools in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Flying Schools in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is ATP Flight School LLC.
How competitive is the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Flying Schools in the US industry in United States.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Trade & Technical Schools in the US
- Community Colleges in the US
- Colleges & Universities in the US
- For-Profit Universities in the US
Complementors
- International Airlines in the US
- Domestic Airlines in the US
- Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the US
- Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in the US
- Commercial Aircraft Leasing in the US
- Private Jet Charters in the US
International industries
- Global Commercial Aircraft Manufacturing
- Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in Canada
- Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in Canada
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Repair Services in Australia
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Repair Services in New Zealand
View all industries in United States
Methodology
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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
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