Impact of Covid-19 on pilot training – May update

In our blog series on the state of pilot training following the spread of Covid-19 we share unique insights based on actual data from what is now 120 flight training organizations using FlightLogger in 40 countries. Each month we analyze the impact since the pandemic hit us – and we plan to continue doing this for as long as it is relevant.

This update covers data from April 2021.

Slow recovery of flight school activities continued in April

A month ago, we were finally able to share some positive numbers after almost half a year of negative month-to-month developments, looking at the average number of students being active per academy. And indeed, the positive tendencies have continued in April, although still in a very slow pace.

Compared to the month before, the average number of active students grew by 1,2 percent in April. So while the recovery is slow, things are indeed moving in the right direction.

Comparing with how it was before Covid-19 hit the entire world, the average number of active students in April is just 82 percent of what it was in February 2020, meaning there is still a lot of recovery to do before returning to pre-covid levels.

Registered school flights 12 percent higher than last month

Looking at the number of weekly flights registered among the 120 pilot training academies, we see some more significant signs of recovery. In fact, the total number of registered flights has grown by 12,5 percent from March to April.

This is of course very nice to see, but it’s important to remember the external factors that affect this parameter. Not least, the fact that a large proportion of our partners are situated north of Equator does have a considerable effect. Improved weather conditions mean increased school flight activity, which explains some of the growth in flights.

Still, the fact that Covid-related restrictions are starting to be lifted in some regions is indeed also part of the explanation why April looks so much better than the previous month looking at school flight activities. So while most of the schools are still struggling to get the same number of active students, operations seem to be reigniting many places.

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