Flight School Load
The student numbers are definitely down at our flight school. We are university affiliated as well as teach folks from the community. As far as instructors go, we haven't been hiring instructors to replace leaving instructors, thus keeping each CFI busy with the students who are left.
Of course, the owner of the flight school is making far less now because the flight training is way down. A few aircraft have been sold.
I've heard the flight schools that cater to foreign students are doing well, as I've spoken with a couple of instructors from those types of schools. As far as the U.S. students learning to fly, it's a lot like you said Sky, someone flicked the switch off!
Oh, and the folks who are coming in are mostly folks who are furloughed or can't get a job anywhere else. The sadder thing is we won't take them either!
So funny to think how during the regional hiring craze anyone was good enough to CFI here, and now you just about need some shuttle time to get in. This stinks!