According to an AOPA study, two thirds of student pilots view their flying as primarily recreational. That’s why Sporty’s Academy, the educational unit of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, believes its modular approach to flight training yields a 70 percent retention rate (starting with the second lesson), which it describes as more than 3.5 times the industry average. The three modules’ goals are: first solo; the Recreational Pilot certificate; and the Private Pilot certificate. The philosophy it to break down the training process into achievable goals, starting with first solo. According to Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke, “A dedicated student could be ready for a Recreational checkride in a matter of days after their first solo. And while the majority of Recreational pilots will then go on to earn their Private certificate, they will do so from a position of success and enthusiasm.” Though Radtke said the Recreational certificate permits most of the typical flying that motivates most students in the first place (flying friends and family from a home-base airport in good weather), “virtually none” of the students drop out between the Recreational and Private certificate phases.
Sporty’s Responds to Focus of Training Summit
