How much is flight school? 

Ah, the age-old question: How much does it cost to go to flight school? Unfortunately, answering that question is no simple task. Here, we’ll break down the costs – and the reasons why the cost of flight school can vary so much between school to school and student to student. 

Types of flight schools & associated costs 

There are a few different ways to accomplish flight training, each of which has its pros and cons. Pilot training can be divided into two categories: Part 141 flight training programs, and Part 61 flight schools. 

Part 141 refers to a section of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that outlines rules, regulations, and operating requirements for FAA-approved flight schools. These schools follow a specific approved curriculum and training plan, must prove continuity for students, and procedures are standardized for each student. 

Part 61 is a section of the FARs that outlines requirements for flight training outside of a Part 141 school – basically, everyone else. Part 61 flight schools offer flexibility, a fly-at-your-own pace program, but might have multiple flight instructors who all teach from a different curriculum. Part 61 schools don’t have the same requirements for standardization or for providing consistent instruction or available aircraft. 

Often, small flight schools at the local airport will be operating under Part 61, and collegiate programs and certain fast-track programs will operate under Part 141 rules. This isn’t always the case, and it’s important to distinguish which your flight school falls under. 

Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools each have benefits and challenges, and many differences even amongst the similar types. Part 141 schools, for example, may come with a higher price tag, but have the benefit of a lower flight hour requirement for completion. 

Part 61 schools might have a less expensive hourly rate, but a student might struggle with continuity and efficiency if there are fewer aircraft or instructors available to them. Flying less often can mean spending more money to complete a certificate or rating in the long run.

Part 141 Flight School

Part 141 flight schools are often seen at large, collegiate flight programs and fast-track programs, although even small flight schools can become a Part 141 school if they go through the FAA approval process.

Average Investment: : $100,000 – $300,000 or more 

The average cost of a Part 141 flight training school varies widely from school to school and even from student to student. The cost of a collegiate program will vary based on whether you get an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.  A fast-track training program (intense daily training without a degree) will also vary depending on the training program, location, and even the weather. 

Part 141 Financial Benefits 

Training at a Part 141 flight school affiliated with a college or university offers several financial advantages:​ 

1. 1. Access to Federal Financial Aid: Students enrolled in accredited college programs that include Part 141 flight training may qualify for federal financial aid, such as Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. These loans often feature lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options compared to private loans. ​It’s important to note that not all flight schools are eligible for federal financial aid. Therefore, prospective students should verify the accreditation status of the institution and its eligibility to participate in federal aid programs 

1. 1. Institutional Scholarships and Grants: Colleges and universities may offer their own scholarships and grants to students enrolled in aviation programs, which can help offset the costs of flight training. ​ 

1. 1. External Scholarships: Organizations like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) or The Ninety-Nines provide scholarships specifically for aviation students, which can be used to cover various training expenses. ​ 

1. 1. Cost-savings: Finally, according to the FAA, students can save money with continuity of training, standardization, consistency, and lower hour requirements due to the program rigor. For example, a commercial pilot application who has trained at a Part 61 school must have a minimum of 250 hours to apply for a commercial pilot certificate. The same student at a Part 141 school can apply for the commercial pilot certificate at a minimum of 190 hours.   

Similarly, a student with an aviation-related degree, either an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, is eligible for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate (R-ATP), allowing them to apply for an R-ATP with 1000 hours or 1250 hours (depending on the degree) instead of the required 1500 hours required for an Airline Transport Pilot certificate outside of a college program. Since student pilots pay directly for their flight training costs like fuel, aircraft rental, etc., which can range on average from $150-$250 per flight hour, this 500-hour reduction can be a huge financial benefit. 

Part 61 Flight School 

Part 61 flight schools can range from small, locally-owned businesses to large flying clubs. The advantage to Part 61 flight training is that it’s flexible, on your own time, at your own pace, and costs less, at least up front, than a Part 141 flight school. The disadvantages are the same – less structure sometimes means a variety of teaching methods and curriculum may vary from one instructor to another. In addition, aircraft and instructor availability may be limited depending on the school.   

Average Investment: $80,000 – $200,000 

The average cost to earn the required pilot certificates and ratings to be a commercial pilot at a Part 61 flight school will vary significantly. Since the program is less structured than a Part 141 program, there are even more variables, including aircraft and instructor availability and lack of consistency or standardization. This type of training is self-driven, and as such, self-limiting. One student might progress far more quickly than another, even with all other factors the same. 

Part 61 Financial Benefits 

Smaller, part 61 flight schools may have fewer government requirements, and as such, can operate more efficiently in many ways. Students might find a pay-as-you-go strategy to be more budget-friendly than putting a large sum of money down for a college training program or a fast-track training program. And students who are self-starters and fly at a school where instructors and aircraft are readily available might save some money in the long run. 

Flight School Costs by Certification 

How much does flight school cost for a private pilot?

Tha cost of private pilot training varies based on many factors, including location, aircraft type, how many hours it takes, how often you fly, and even the weather. A private pilot certificate can cost from $6,000-20,000 according to AOPA (opens in a new window). The minimum number of flight hours to get a private pilot license is 40 hours, but most students spend about 75 hours toward their private pilot license, according to the FAA. (opens in a new window) Once you have a flight school in mind, you can calculate the cost it might take by adding the aircraft rental fees plus the instruction fees. Make sure you account for books, supplies, headsets, and checkride fees. Depending on where you attend flight training, there may be other fees, like ground school classes, room and board, or more. These factors together make it very difficult to determine exactly how much a private pilot license might cost.  

How much is flight school to become a commercial pilot? 

According to Fly8MA (opens in a new window), a commercial pilot certificate can cost from $28,000 – $90,000. Like the private pilot license, this cost will depend on many factors, including if any additional ratings are included (high performance, high altitude, etc.), and if the student needs to pay for building hours in order to get to the 190 or 250 hours required. Often, the costs of a commercial pilot certificate will include an instrument rating and a multi-engine add-on certificate. A commercial pilot certificate by itself in a single engine aircraft might cost about $10,000, while a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and a multi-engine rating will raise the cost to $40,000 or more.

How much does ATP flight school cost? 

Training for your Airline Transport Pilot is often done at an airline after you are hired, paid for by that airline. Getting your ATP license outside of an airline job can cost anywhere from $10000 – $20,000 according to ATP Academy (opens in a new window). This also depends on if you get a single-engine or multi-engine ATP, or if you add a Type Rating to your ATP. (Type ratings for specific aircraft are required in order to fly turbojet aircraft and/or aircraft over 12,500 pounds.)  

How to pay for flight school 

Most people fund flight training with a variety of methods: loans, scholarships, cash, and sometimes through military programs. 

Federal Funding

Federal loans (opens in a new window) are available to students who qualify at accredited aviation colleges. These loans are preferable due to their low interest rate and flexible repayment terms. Most don’t require you to pay them back until you get out of college and get into your career. 

Private Loans 

Outside of collegiate flight training programs, aspiring pilots often rely on private loans to finance their education. These loans, however, present certain challenges:​ 

1. Stricter Qualification Criteria: Private lenders like Sallie Mae, College Ave, or AOPA’s line of credit typically require a strong credit history and stable income. Students with limited credit may need a cosigner to improve their chances of approval.  

1. Higher Interest Rates: Interest rates on private loans can be significantly higher than federal loans. For instance, federal undergraduate loans for the 2024-2025 academic year have an interest rate of 6.53%, whereas private loan rates can range from 3.39% to 17.99%, depending on creditworthiness and lender policies. ​ 

1. Variable Terms and Conditions: Private loans may offer less favorable repayment terms and fewer borrower protections compared to federal loans. It’s crucial to thoroughly review loan agreements and understand the obligations before proceeding.​ 

Given these factors, it’s advisable for students to explore all available financing options, such as scholarships, grants, and federal loans (if eligible), before committing to private loans. 

Scholarships for Flight School 

Scholarships are a great option for funding flight school. They can be found on numerous groups and platforms, and through a variety of professional organizations. Here are some organizations that offer flight training scholarships: 

• AOPA 
• EAA 
• Women in Aviation 
• OBAP 
• NGPA 
• 99s 
• Flying Musicians 
• National Association of Flight Instructors 
• Air Force Association 
• Flight Safety Foundation 

This is only a short list. Don’t forget to check your local and state aviation groups. 

Military & Veteran Funding 

There are numerous military programs set up to help pay for college and/or flight training, within or outside of the military. The specific benefits will depend on which military branch you enter, whether you enlist or enter as an officer, and your specific placement. 

If you have already served your country in the military, you can use your veteran educational benefits towards your education and flight school. 

• Montgomery GI Bill: One of the most common ways to utilize veterans education benefits is through the Montgomery GI Bill, which provides some or all of flight training costs, depending on the type of GI Bill and the type of training location.  

• Students attending an approved college or university may be eligible for additional veterans education benefits like Survivors’ and Dependants’ Educational Assistance.   

• A variety of other military benefits exist for veterans, including grants and scholarships, programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and the Veteran Readiness and Employment or VR&E. 

Student Pilot Employment Opportunities 

Certified Flight Instructor 

As a college student with a Certified Flight Instructor rating, you can begin making an income right away, sometimes at the school you’re attending. Flight instructing is a flexible career, allowing you to work on your own schedule and start earning money while in school. 

Certified Flight Instructor Instrument and Multi-Engine Instructor 

From what I have seen in the industry, many collegiate flight programs require their instructors to have at least a Certified Flight Instructor certificate as well as a CFI-Instrument rating to be employed. Instructors with an MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor) rating can earn more money, according to Airplane Academy. Just as with any job, additional skills often mean getting hired easier, high value work, and ability to work with a wider variety of students.  

Ground School Instructor 

As a ground school instructor, you’ll have the opportunity to earn money while passing on your knowledge to the next generation of pilots, while practicing your teaching skills. Being a ground school instructor is a great way to start earning money while in college. 

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