3 things you need to know before opening a flight school:

Opening a flight school is no easy task. It's important to focus on the most important things before opening up your business, so you can make sure it's successful from the start. Here are three things you should focus on first!

Part 61 or 141?

It's critical to understand the difference between part 61 and part 141 since this may affect your school's success. A standard flight school must operate under Part 61. You are to comply with the basic regulations outlined in 14CFR 61. In general, running a part 61 school is the simplest because there are no more FAA requirements to comply with or courses to complete, allowing you to get your school up and operating in the shortest period of time!

Part 141, on the other hand, is for schools run under part 141 of the FAA's rules and regulations. 141 has stricter rules and requires either building or purchasing a pre-existing 141 training program. This can be very time-consuming, yet rewarding as this allows for students to complete training in fewer hours - reducing costs incrementally!

So which one should you choose?

Find A Niche

Generally speaking, flight schools that have a unique niche tend to outperform schools that advertise as just a "flight school". It's important to consider what will make your school stand out from others in the area - whether it's the airplanes, training styles, or accommodations. Make certain you stand out!

This is especially true in the age of Google. If you can make your school unique and desirable, it will be easier to attract students when they search for a flight school in their area!

Create An Experience

Flight schools are more than just a way to teach people how to fly. They are opportunities for students to build lasting relationships with their instructors, experience new adventures, and make long-lasting memories! It's essential to not only focus on the training but also the entire experience around it. Give your students an experience they can come back to time and time again.

Jack Brown's Seaplane Base in Winter Haven, FL is the perfect example of this. They sell more than just seaplane ratings- they sell an experience! From start to finish, Brown's has you entranced in a world of barnstorming. From their rustic cabin constructed on stilts in the lake to the instructors' "in-flight entertainment," it's a great example of how to develop repeat consumers without having to spend a dime on marketing.

Conclusion

It's critical that you understand the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools before opening your doors. Generally speaking, a part 141 school will be more time-consuming to open but less costly to run in the long run! It's also important to consider what makes your flight school unique and develop an experience around it. If you can do these things, I can almost guarantee you'll be a step above your competitors right out of the gate.