Jonkster,
The survey (conducted by an independent but very thoroughly briefed market research company) covered all states and as many flying schools as could be persuaded to cooperate, it was about PPL only, we were most surprised, at the time, about the PPL written exams results.
It was clear, by a country mile, that the PPL written was the biggest obstacle to a student finally getting a licence.
~80% the exams, and ~20% all other reasons.
The total drop-out rate was also a bit over 80%.
Again, I emphasis that the exercise was NOT about professional pilot training, just students aiming to be Private Pilots, which meant that quite a significant percentage were established and professional people in their own fields, not kids just out of school ---- something that the survey established, which was a little different to expected.
Tootle pip!!