Fuel prices are a factor in many sectors of the economy currently, and flight training is no different. To help understand how it is affecting flight training, this past week the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) did a quick survey of its contacts to learn more about if fuel price increases are being implemented and how they are being done. FSANA also asked about how big of increases are being implemented. Here is what they have found.

The vast majority of respondents have indicated that they have implemented increases in flight training aircraft use costs due to fuel prices.

“With increases in fuel prices around the country, has your flight training operation had to increase aircraft rates to customers at this time?”

• Yes – 83%
• No – 3%
• Not yet, but we expect to soon – 12%

When it comes to how locations are implementing price increases, it was relatively close in percentages between whether a price increase is implemented using a per hour surcharge or increasing the hourly base use rate.

“If you have increased prices or are going to, how have you done it?”

• A fuel surcharge per hour – 51%
• Increase the base rental rate per hour – 48%

FSANA also asked about how much the increase was in their experience. This is what they have found:

“How much of an increase in price have you or are you going to implement at this time? (for single-engine aircraft)”

• $0-$5 per hour of use – 15%
• $6-$10 per hour of use – 38%
• $11-$15 per hour of use – 27%
• $16-$20 per hour of use – 10%
• $21-$30 per hour of use – 3%
• More than $30 per hour of use – 3%

FSANA also took open ended comments as a part of the survey and some of the highlights included comments that noted the following:

• Many expect to have to increase prices more in the future;
• The increase is starting to affect students’ ability to pay for training or train as frequently;
• Fuel isn’t the only price increase being experienced, oil, parts, and lack of supplies to keep the aircraft flying are also driving price increases

There is no doubt that the variable costs affecting flight training providers will affect the prices that those seeking pilot training will incur. As prices go up, it becomes more challenging for those seeking aviation careers to pay for the training they seek. FSANA will continue to engage with the training community and track these effects and share what it finds with its members and readers.

Source: FSANA Update

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