By Outrider Editorial Team · Updated August 20, 2026
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in offering aviation and flight training. These establishments may offer vocational training, recreational training, or both.
FY2025 obligations
$986.2M
Contract actions
670
IDVs
169
Top buying agencies
- Department of Defense$918.6M
- General Services Administration$30.4M
- Department of Transportation$27.3M
- Department of Homeland Security$6.1M
- Department of Justice$3.0M
FY2025 federal contract obligations, USAspending.gov
NAICS 611512 obligated $986 million in FY2025 across 670 contract actions, an average near $1.5 million. DoD is $919 million, or 93 percent, reflecting the extent to which military flight training has moved to contracted delivery. GSA follows at $30 million, DOT at $27 million for FAA-related training, DHS at $6 million, DOJ at $3 million.
What belongs here
Aviation and flight training, whether vocational or recreational.
- Other vocational and technical instruction is 611519.
- Aircraft maintenance training delivered as technical instruction usually falls under 611519 as well, not here.
- Manufacturing the training aircraft is 336411.
Competing in this code
169 IDVs against 670 actions describes a market of substantial multi-year programs. What wins them is not curriculum, which the government usually specifies, but the ability to field aircraft, simulators, and certificated instructors at a specific location on a guaranteed availability schedule. That makes capital and instructor pipeline the real barriers. The $34 million size standard is comparatively high, so a regional flight school can hold small business status while growing into meaningful contracts, and subcontracting instructor supply to an incumbent prime is the standard way to build a relevant past performance record before bidding one.
Frequently Asked
NAICS 611512 questions, answered.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 611512?
SBA sets it at $34 million in average annual receipts, averaged over your last five completed fiscal years. Come in at or under that and you are small on every NAICS 611512 solicitation, including the set-asides.
Which agencies buy flight training under NAICS 611512?
FY2025 obligations: DoD ($919 million), GSA ($30 million), DOT ($27 million), DHS ($6 million), DOJ ($3 million). DoD at 93 percent reflects how much military flight instruction has moved from organic training commands to contracted delivery.
What determines who wins contracted flight training?
Aircraft and simulator availability at the required location, plus a certificated instructor pipeline that can meet a guaranteed schedule. The government usually specifies the syllabus, so curriculum is not the discriminator. Capital and staffing depth are, which is why these contracts run at an average near $1.5 million and multi-year terms.
How does a regional flight school enter this market?
By supplying instructors or aircraft as a subcontractor to an incumbent prime first. The $34 million size standard leaves plenty of headroom to stay small while growing, and a documented record of meeting sortie or hour commitments is what makes a later prime bid credible.
Register Under NAICS 611512
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