Running a flight school can sometimes feel like trying to land a plane in a crosswind—constant adjustments, quick thinking, and a whole lot of pressure to stick the landing. Between juggling student schedules, managing aircraft maintenance, handling billing, and ensuring compliance, you’ve got a full cockpit. If your current flight schedule program isn’t pulling its weight, it’s time for an upgrade.
That’s where PreFlight comes in. Unlike other platforms that might leave you circling the runway, PreFlight’s flight schedule program streamlines everything into one easy-to-use system. From scheduling and billing to maintenance and compliance tracking (and even a built-in Learning Management System for student progress), PreFlight takes the turbulence out of your day-to-day operations. Ready for a smoother flight? Let’s dive into the five reasons PreFlight soars above the competition.
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What Sets PreFlight’s Flight Schedule Program Apart?
You wouldn’t expect a student pilot to handle a cross-country flight with only a paper map and a stopwatch—so why settle for outdated, bare-bones scheduling software? Programs like Flight Schedule Pro and Flight Circle might get the job done, but they lack the full suite of features a busy flight school really needs.
PreFlight combines scheduling, billing, compliance, and even student training into one powerful tool. It’s like upgrading from a single-engine plane to a modern, high-performance aircraft—more efficiency, better performance, and smoother operations
Automation That Saves You Time (and Sanity)
If you’re tired of manually sending invoices, chasing down expired documents, or constantly juggling maintenance schedules, you’re not alone. PreFlight automates these tasks, so you can stop playing air traffic controller and focus on what really matters—flying! It automatically generates invoices for bookings, blocks students with expired documents from scheduling flights, and sends maintenance reminders, so your planes are always airworthy. Think of it as your trusty autopilot, handling the tedious tasks while you’re free to focus on the horizon.
Automation is a game-changer for flight schools, allowing you to focus on what matters most—training students. Learn more about how automation is transforming flight training management here.
Seamless Scheduling and Flexible Instructor Management
Scheduling at a flight school can feel like solving a 3D puzzle. You’ve got students, instructors, planes, and weather—all of which can change at a moment’s notice. PreFlight’s flight schedule program gives you the tools to manage all these variables without breaking a sweat.
Pre- and Post-Ground Time for Maximum Aircraft Utilization
PreFlight helps you get the most out of your aircraft. With the ability to schedule pre- and post-ground time for instructors, you can ensure that the aircraft is only booked for the time it’s actually flying. Meanwhile, the instructor’s schedule can be padded with extra time for briefings or post-flight discussions. This maximizes aircraft utilization, keeping planes in the air as much as possible while giving instructors the flexibility to manage their ground tasks efficiently.
The built-in Learning Management System (LMS) adds even more value. Instructors can track student progress and update lesson plans right within the system. No more shuffling between scheduling software and spreadsheets—PreFlight keeps everything synced, so when a student books a flight, their lesson progress is front and center. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows exactly what your students need before they even ask.
Maximize your aircraft’s airtime while giving instructors the flexibility they need—PreFlight’s scheduling ensures your planes are flying as much as possible, without sacrificing quality instruction on the ground.
Instructor Transfers Keep Students on Track
Ever had an instructor cancel last minute? Of course, you have—it’s aviation, after all. With PreFlight, if an instructor becomes unavailable, the system allows the lesson to be submitted for pick-up by any chosen instructor, so your student doesn’t fall behind. Better yet, the new instructor can see exactly where the student left off by tracking their progress in the LMS. This ensures seamless transitions, minimizes disruption, and keeps students on course for their next flight.
PreFlight includes a range of must-have features designed to maximize flexibility and efficiency for instructors and students. Explore these key features in more detail here.
Billing and Payments, Simplified with our Flight Schedule Program
If billing for your flight school feels like doing paperwork at 10,000 feet, PreFlight’s got you covered. The platform doesn’t just manage your schedule—it takes care of your finances, too. So, instead of scrambling to issue invoices and calculate instructor payouts, you can let PreFlight handle the heavy lifting.
PreFlight’s flight schedule program doesn’t just simplify your operations, it can also boost profitability by streamlining billing and payments. Learn more about how the right scheduling software can enhance your bottom line here.
Automated Billing and Split Payments: Easy as a Smooth Takeoff
When a student books a lesson, PreFlight automatically generates an invoice—no more late nights trying to balance your books. And if that lesson includes both aircraft rental and instructor time, no problem! PreFlight’s split payment feature ensures the funds go where they need to, with the correct amount automatically allocated to both the instructor and the school. It’s like autopilot for your finances—accurate, stress-free, and reliable.
PreFlight’s LMS even integrates directly into the billing system. As students progress through their training and complete lessons, the system keeps track of it all, ensuring that invoices are accurate and up to date. So whether a student’s paying for ground school, flight hours, or both, PreFlight keeps everything in sync, leaving you free to enjoy a smoother ride.
QuickBooks Integration: One Less Thing to Worry About
For schools already using QuickBooks, PreFlight’s got your back. The system syncs seamlessly with QuickBooks, making sure every transaction, payment, and refund is reflected accurately in your accounting software. No more double data entry—just smooth sailing from booking to payment.
Maintenance and Compliance Made Easy
Keeping your aircraft safe and your operations compliant isn’t just a checkbox—it’s critical. Missing a maintenance window or letting an instructor fly with expired credentials could lead to more than just a bumpy ride. Luckily, PreFlight’s flight schedule program comes equipped with built-in maintenance tracking and compliance tools that ensure your school stays on the right side of both safety and regulations.
Maintenance Overview Screen: The Tower Control of Maintenance
Think of PreFlight’s Maintenance Overview Screen like an air traffic controller for your fleet—it tracks everything. From HOBBS/TACH hours to upcoming inspections, it ensures your planes are always ready for takeoff. If an aircraft is due for service, PreFlight blocks it from being scheduled, keeping you from accidentally sending a plane up when it’s not airworthy.
The system also sends you reminders before maintenance is due, so you can stay ahead of the game. No more scrambling to ground aircraft last minute—PreFlight ensures everything runs like a well-oiled machine.
Stay ahead of the game with automated maintenance tracking and document compliance—PreFlight ensures your fleet is airworthy and your team is always ready for takeoff.
Document Compliance: No More Flying Under the Radar
PreFlight’s document tracking system ensures your students and instructors are always flying legally. If a required document—like a medical certificate or an instructor rating—expires, PreFlight prevents that person from booking a flight until their records are updated. No more hunting down paperwork or worrying about slipping through the cracks. PreFlight’s got your back, ensuring that every flight is safe and compliant.
Partner Pricing Plan: Flexible and Affordable
We get it—flight schools operate on tight budgets. That’s why PreFlight offers its Partner Pricing Plan, which allows schools to access premium features without hefty upfront costs. You can run PreFlight virtually for free, as most schools offset this small cost by passing it on to their customers.
Transaction-Based Pricing: Pay As You Go
Instead of locking you into a big monthly fee, PreFlight’s Partner Pricing Plan operates on a small transaction fee (0.5% per booking), with no monthly charges. That means you only pay when your school is actively using the system, giving you the flexibility to grow your operations without worrying about hidden costs. What’s more, our credit card processing fees are so low that your students will likely save money in the process. Plus, the advanced features—like API integrations, priority support, and even hourly weather forecasting—are all included.
Experience the PreFlight Flight Schedule Program Difference
If managing your flight school feels like herding cats (or, in this case, planes, students, and instructors), it’s time to make the switch to PreFlight. From automated scheduling and billing to integrated maintenance and compliance tracking, PreFlight’s flight schedule program brings everything together in one intuitive system. With the added power of a built-in LMS, you’ll not only manage flights—you’ll keep your students on course for success.
If you’re still wondering whether it’s time to upgrade your flight scheduling system, take a look at these crucial signs that it might be time for a change here.