As the year comes to a close, we’d like to give you the gift of time for 2025! Well, not literally - but we’ve been reflecting on how you can reclaim more time next year when managing pilot training.
The Time Dilemma
Throughout this year, we’ve had so many interesting conversations about Aeroplanned and the challenges flight schools face when considering planning software. A few concerns come up again and again:
“We don’t have time to commit to planning software.”
“We don’t have anyone who can spend time on Aeroplanned, and we certainly can’t hire anyone.”
We get it. Having worked in flight schools ourselves, we know there’s no such thing as “spare time” for extra tasks - everyone is incredibly busy.
But here’s the question: what keeps flight schools so busy every day? In our view, it’s:
Planning without visibility of the bigger picture … which inevitably leads to:
Firefighting and disruption.
So the days sound like this:
“One of the multi-engine aircraft is grounded for three months - what’s the impact?”
“The sales team wants to take 10 more starts in February. Should we just say yes?”
“A delayed student needs to meet an airline start date - how do we adjust their training?”
“Why is this student flying? I thought they were stood down after theory failures.”
“A student’s visa expires next Tuesday (did anyone know this?!). Can we move their flight test forward?”
“Accommodation? There aren’t enough rooms this week. Wait, where’s the right spreadsheet?”
These kinds of issues arise daily, creating a constant sense of being 'busy', far too busy to stop and make a longer-term plan. But here’s the reality: so many people are already doing ‘the planning’ - just in an uncoordinated way. It’s scattered across spreadsheets, in emails, or even in someone’s head. It’s short-term, reactive, and disconnected from the bigger picture.
Get Your Time Back in 2025
As the year wraps up, we encourage you to start 2025 differently - with an overall plan.
Unite all your planning activities so that:
Everyone sees how their part impacts others.
The bigger picture and objectives are clear.
You’re prepared for adjustments, and everyone stays on the same page.
Know who needs to fly and when. Know when to hire new instructors or adjust aircraft availability. By using the planning time to create a thoughtful, connected plan now, you’ll save far more time later.
The result? Days will run smoother, everyone will know what they’re doing, and you’ll finally feel in control - not just reacting.
Wishing You a Happy, Connected 2025
Here’s to fewer fires and more focus. To having time because you made a plan - not in spite of it.
Happy holidays from all of us at Aeroplanned!
Comments