NAICS 611512 Quarterly Industry Report
Flight Training
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 611512Sector: Educational Services (61)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Flight Training (NAICS 611512) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], FAA pilot school regulations[9], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, aviation industry analysts, and business appraisers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the flight training industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Flight Training (NAICS 611512) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in offering aviation and flight training per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Instruction covers private, instrument, commercial, and airline transport pilot certification, along with flight instructor ratings and type-specific aircraft qualifications. Schools operate under either FAA Part 61 (individual instructor-based) or Part 141 (structured curriculum with FAA oversight) regulatory frameworks, with Part 141 programs requiring FAA-approved syllabi and minimum pass rate thresholds.
Roughly 988 establishments employ 19,100 workers and generate $5.3 billion in annual revenue per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] and Census data. CAE Inc. leads the global market, while ATP Flight School operates as the largest U.S. provider with partnerships across 37 regional airlines and major carriers. FlightSafety International maintains a strong position in advanced simulator-based instruction. The top four companies hold approximately 57 percent of U.S. market share, reflecting moderate industry concentration driven by high capital requirements for aircraft fleets and simulator equipment.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $30 million in average annual receipts. A global pilot shortage has driven enrollment growth, with airlines expanding direct-pathway hiring programs that sponsor student pilots from training through regional carrier employment. Part 141 schools must graduate at least 10 students per 24-month period and maintain an 80 percent student pass rate on FAA knowledge and practical examinations. Training hour requirements range from 35 hours for a private pilot certificate under Part 141 to 190 hours for commercial certification, compared to 40 and 250 hours respectively under Part 61 self-study programs.
What's Included in This Industry
- Private pilot certificate ground school and flight instruction
- Instrument rating training and proficiency development
- Commercial pilot certification and multi-engine training
- Airline transport pilot certificate preparation programs
- Flight instructor certification and rating programs
- Type-specific aircraft qualification and transition training
- Full-motion flight simulator instruction and scenario training
- FAA Part 141 structured curriculum delivery and stage checks
- Recreational and sport pilot certificate programs
- Aviation safety and crew resource management instruction
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Educational Services | 61 |
| Subsector | Educational Services | 611 |
| Industry Group | Technical and Trade Schools | 6115 |
| NAICS Industry | Technical and Trade Schools | 61151 |
| National Industry | Flight Training | 611512 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 481111 | Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation | Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation employs flight training graduates as their primary pilot pipeline, with airline hiring demand and mandatory retirement age driving sustained enrollment at flight schools nationwide |
| 481112 | Scheduled Freight Air Transportation | Scheduled Freight Air Transportation hires commercial pilots from flight training programs and contributes to demand for multi-engine and instrument rating instruction required for cargo carrier operations |
| 481211 | Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation | Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation employs commercially rated pilots trained at flight schools, with charter operators recruiting directly from training programs for entry-level first officer positions |
| 611513 | Apprenticeship Training | Apprenticeship Training programs share structured on-the-job training delivery models with flight schools, though aviation training follows FAA rather than Department of Labor regulatory frameworks |
| 611519 | Other Technical and Trade Schools | Other Technical and Trade Schools share the vocational classification with flight training and compete for career-focused students, though flight training requires substantially higher capital investment in aircraft and simulator equipment |
| 488190 | Other Support Activities for Air Transportation | Other Support Activities for Air Transportation includes aircraft maintenance training and airport ground service operations that supplement the pilot training pipeline with related aviation career pathways |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 16.6% | 190 |
| 2 | California | 12.7% | 145 |
| 3 | Texas | 9.6% | 110 |
| 4 | Arizona | 4.6% | 52 |
| 5 | Georgia | 3.0% | 34 |
| 6 | Illinois | 2.7% | 31 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 2.6% | 30 |
| 8 | Washington | 2.5% | 29 |
| 9 | Virginia | 2.4% | 27 |
| 10 | Alabama | 2.3% | 26 |
% Of Establishments
0%
17%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
112
Total SBA Loans
$32.8M
Total Loan Volume
$293K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.68%
Average Interest Rate
960
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Flight Training (NAICS 611512) has a size standard of $30 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[10] support aircraft acquisition, simulator investment, and facility expansion for qualifying flight school operators. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[12] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 16 | $12.0M | $752K |
| 2 | Commercial Bank of Texas N.A. | 8 | $7.7M | $957K |
| 3 | Idaho Central CU | 16 | $4.0M | $251K |
| 4 | Zions Bank, A Division of | 16 | $2.7M | $168K |
| 5 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $2.4M | $300K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for flight schools?
NAICS 611512 covers establishments offering aviation and flight training, including private, commercial, and airline transport pilot programs per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
How large is the U.S. flight training market?
What is the SBA size standard for flight training?
The SBA size standard[7] is $30 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
What is the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools?
Part 141 schools operate under FAA-approved structured curricula with stage checks and minimum pass rates, while Part 61 allows more flexible individual instruction per FAA pilot school regulations[9]. Part 141 programs require fewer total flight hours for certification.
How many flight hours are required for a commercial pilot license?
Part 141 programs require 190 hours for commercial certification, while Part 61 programs require 250 hours per FAA regulations[9]. Private pilot requirements are 35 hours under Part 141 and 40 hours under Part 61.
Who are the largest flight training providers?
CAE Inc. leads globally, ATP Flight School operates as the largest U.S. provider with 37 airline partnerships, and FlightSafety International specializes in advanced simulator-based instruction per industry tracking data.
Is there a pilot shortage driving flight school enrollment?
A global pilot shortage has driven enrollment growth, with airlines expanding direct-pathway hiring programs that sponsor student pilots from training through regional carrier employment per Bureau of Labor Statistics[13] occupational projections.
What pass rate must Part 141 schools maintain?
FAA Part 141 schools must maintain an 80 percent student pass rate on knowledge and practical examinations and graduate at least 10 students per 24-month period per FAA regulations[9].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [9]FAA pilot school regulations faa.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
- [13]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
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