Flight Training: Unknown Options you Need to Look Into
TLDR
There are two main categories of flight training; Accelerated/Full Time Flight School (Part 141) and Step by Step Rating/Part Time Flight Training (Part 61 or Part 141).
Accelerated Part 141 schools can be at universities or dedicated flight programs that usually take a large tuition to take a pilot from student all the way to being able to apply for the airlines. These schools are typically $85,000 to $135,000 or more and require a student to work full time on their flight training if they want to finish in an accelerated fashion (1-2 years).
Non-accelerated or Part 61 or smaller Part 141 schools that do not take a complete tuition can also be done quickly. The time it takes to complete training for a pilot certificate at these schools is completely up to the student’s commitment. The difference is, these schools are more of a pay as you go to earn each pilot certificate individually as you work your way up to whatever level (private, IFR, commercial, ATP) you want to achieve.
In this step by step path, someone can become a flight instructor and build hours towards the airline transport pilot minimums. When they do this, they can save money due to the fact the student is paying for the aircraft rental as well as paying them an hourly rate.
The article also talks about becoming a member of the military as an option and going to a 2-year or 4-year aviation degree program that integrates flight training.
There are several options that you have for flight training. It all really depends on what works best for you, your time, and your finances. If money is not a problem and you would rather become a pilot as soon as possible and make money doing it, then an accelerated flight school at an institution or university might be for you. If money isn’t falling from a tree in your backyard then knocking out a private pilot, IFR and commercial rating one step at a time on weekends and free days at your local flying club might be for you. The following explains what are the different options for flight training:
So let’s first divide your options into two categories:
- Accelerated/Full Time Flight School or Degree Program (Part 141)
- Step by Step Rating/Part Time Flight Training (Part 61 or Part 141)
Accelerated/Full Time Flight School or Degree Program (Part 141)
Part 141 schools operate under the Part 141 FARs (ECFR :: 14 CFR Part 141 — Pilot Schools (FAR Part 141), 2015). They are essentially schools that have had their ground and flight syllabus and curriculum reviewed and okayed by the FAA. We have more about the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 here.
An accelerated flight school will require you to be present full-time as if it was your full-time job or full-time school. While it depends upon the school, you will usually spend 2-3 hours of ground study and 4-6 hours of flight training for 5 or even 6 days of the week.
An accelerated flight school will take you from zero experience to getting your private, IFR and commercial ratings. They also offer you to then get your 1500 hours to become an airline transport pilot (ATP) and apply for airline jobs. Accelerated flight schools vary and usually come with contracts that state what you will get in return but they generally costs around $85,000 to $135,000 .
An accelerate flight school can also vary in how long it takes. Some schools give you the flexibility of choosing a program that fits the amount of time you have available. Usually, accelerate flight schools take about 1-2 years to complete all the ratings and all the hour building to be an airline pilot. Achieving the ratings of private, IFR and commercial can only take a 3-6 months but the hour building takes the vast majority of the time.
Think of an accelerated flight school as a degree program where you are studying and flying full-time. Some of them even offer housing for an additional cost. If money and time are not an issue and you know you want to be an airline pilot, an accelerated flight school might be for you. If you do not have the time to study and train full-time, you do not have $100,000 and don’t want the debt, or if you only want your private pilot or private pilot and IFR to fly as a hobby then accelerated flight school may not be for you. Even if you do have the money, you may be interested in some of the flight training options listed below in the next section.
Aviation Degree Program & Restricted ATP
Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate is a special provision that allows pilots to become a First Officer (co-pilot) for an airline with fewer flight hours and at a younger age than the standard, unrestricted ATP certificate. Normally, an ATP requires 1500 total flight hours and a minimum age of 23. The R-ATP aims to help address pilot shortages by creating a faster pathway to the airlines for qualified individuals, enabling them to serve as a co-pilot until they meet the full ATP requirements.
The primary ways to qualify for an R-ATP with reduced flight hours are through specific aviation degree programs or military experience. If you pursue a 2-year aviation degree program from an FAA-approved institution (under Part 141 and with an FAA Letter of Authorization for R-ATP privileges), you may be eligible for an R-ATP with 1,250 total flight hours (instead of 1,500). If you complete a 4-year aviation degree program from a similarly approved institution, your total flight hour requirement for an R-ATP can be reduced to 1,000 total flight hours. These programs typically integrate flight training with academic coursework, providing a structured path to meet both the educational and reduced flight hour requirements for the R-ATP, usually allowing pilots to start their airline career at age 21 rather than 23
Flight Training through the Military
Becoming a pilot through the military involves a fundamentally different path than civilian training, as you are first and foremost an officer (or warrant officer in the Army for helicopter pilots) and military leader, with flying as your primary duty. The process typically begins with earning a college degree (often a bachelor’s, sometimes a master’s, or even just a high school diploma for Army Warrant Officer flight training), followed by commissioning as an officer through a service academy (e.g., Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, West Point), ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) at a civilian university, or Officer Training School (OTS). Upon commissioning, successful candidates are selected for highly competitive Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) or Naval Flight Training, which is a rigorous, multi-phase program (often 1-2 years long) that covers all foundational flight skills, advanced aircraft systems, tactical operations, and eventually leads to receiving your “wings” and a specific aircraft assignment (e.g., fighter jets, bombers, transport planes, helicopters).
While the military completely pays for all flight training, equipment, and provides a salary and benefits during this period, it comes with a significant service commitment (typically 6-10 years post-training), during which time you gain unparalleled flight experience in advanced aircraft and develop leadership skills highly valued by civilian airlines upon separation.
Step by Step Rating/Part Time Flight Training (Part 141 or 61)
Like most of us, you may be thinking “I can’t afford $100,000 for flight school” or “I have a job, I can’t do that full time, how will I make the money I need?”.
If this is you have no fear. There are still viable options to get your private pilot, IFR, commercial or even airline transport ratings. In fact, 1000s an 1000s of aspiring pilots do it this way! It usually takes slightly longer but can be much less expensive and even more rewarding.
The best part about getting your ratings in a step by step manner is the different options for training which can be done under Part 61 (14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors, 2015) or under Part 141:
Flight Schools
- A flight school is a business/establishment that can range from small scale to large scale. From bright and shiny new aircraft to old and reliable aircraft.
- Your typical flight school is a business with about 4-6 trainer aircraft (Cessna, Piper, other), a hanger, a lounge/classroom and about 4-6 flight instructors on staff
- These schools usually charge an hourly rate for the instructor and airplane rental
- An accelerated flight school is usually for those pilots that know that are going to go for commercial status and fly professionally
- These schools usually charge a tuition and promise in return your private pilot, IFR and commercial ratings and even sometimes housing, food and books like a university would. In fact, some universities do this.
Flying Clubs
- A Flying Club is a “club” or group of people who all share ownership in the assets of the club. You pair this with some flight instructors and it can work and act exactly like a flight school but with possibly less expensive rates
- Owning an aircraft is expensive (cost to own, maintenance, fuel, insurance, spare parts, etc.) but when you get together with other people in a “club” you can share the costs of it all which can reduce the hourly rental rate of the aircraft
- A student pilot can join a flying club with a monthly membership rate and as long as they pay their rate they are part owners of all the aircraft at the club and can use them at a reduced rate
- At the end of the day the cost of getting a Private Pilot License through a flying club is not drastically different than getting it at a flight school. But, with the right club, a student pilot could save 10 to 20% on their training in the long run with the right club
But these are not your only options. If you are willing and able, there are some other options that can be beneficial both financially and academically speaking:
Knowing someone who Owns a Plane
- If you know someone who owns a plane, you can eliminate a major chunk of the costs of flying. That is if they don’t charge you an hourly rate or can give you a discount. If someone you have a connection with will let you fly the plane and pay for the gas… get on it!
- You’ll need to make sure the plane is of the right category, is airworthy, and is kept up to safe standards.
- You’ll still need an instructor… don’t forget!
Buying your Own Plane
- For those of you that are financially able to afford an airplane, this can be a very good investment
- You can use it for flight training and if you plan it right you might be able to rent it out to a flight school or a charter company when you aren’t using it
- Just beware that there is more than just the buying cost, there are recurring costs such as maintenance, space parts and insurance to plan for
If you want more information on the ins and outs of buying your own aircraft including what to look for when searching for one to buy… we covered it on a BONUS episode on the Free Audio Ground School podcast which you can find and listen to here.
Knowing someone who is a Flight Instructor
- Sometimes, people know someone who is a flight instructor, and sometimes flight instructors will not be actively flying with students but will still want to keep their currency as an instructor. In this scenario, you may be able to take them up with you.
- You pay for the aircraft rental and in exchange they teach you how to fly.
Essentially you need an airplane and a flight instructor that can certify you for the ratings you are going for. If you want to go all the way to become an airline pilot, you would simply get your Private Pilot rating, get your Instrument rating, get your Commercial rating and then build towards 1500 total hours for your Airline Transport rating. Generally, by the time you get your commercial rating you will have anywhere between 250 and 400 total hours. So obviously, the hour building to get to 1500 hours is going to be the large majority of your costs and time. This is why students are always looking for creative ways to build time. The most common way they do this is by becoming a flight instructor.
By becoming a flight instructor after your commercial rating you can accumulate flight hours while you get paid as a flight instructor and your students pay for the aircraft rental! So how much would this all cost? Well, lets brake it down per rating:
- Private Pilot Rating – $14,000 to $21,000
- Instrument Rating – $9,000 to $14,000
- Commercial Rating – $22,000 to $34,000
- Multi-Engine Add on – $6,000 to $11,000
- Instructor Rating – $7,000 to $11,000
- Airline Transport Pilot – $6,000 to $11,000
- Total – $64,000 to $102,000
As you can see at an average of about $80,000 this can be substantially cheaper than an accelerated flight school but will take you longer to accomplish (mostly dependent upon your free time). And remember, once you become a flight instructor you will be able to at least pay the bills while earning your 1500 hours to become an airline pilot such that this $80,000 could feel more like $60,000 or $70,000.
So no matter what option you choose, you’ll have to learn the knowledge and ground school portion of flying yourself. Even some accelerated flight schools require you to pass the FAA Private Pilot written exam to be able to apply, but that’s why Part Time Pilot is here to help you!
The number 1 way to ensure your success in becoming a pilot is by properly managing your time & money
And the easiest way to properly manage your time & money is by doing ground school before it’s too late and ACTUALLY understanding the material
5 years ago I saw NO ONE mentoring unsuspecting students on the traps in flight training that was costing them $1000s
This is why I created the Part Time Pilot Online Ground Schools
The ground schools were created with these ideas at the heart of our mission statement:
- Mentoring students from start to finish
- Providing content that saves time & money & provides a deep understanding
How does Part Time Pilot compare to other Online Ground Schools?
I went to the website of each of the Top10 Online Ground Schools and gathered ALL the relevant info a student pilot like you needs to make an informed decision.
Things like cost, student ratings, lifetime access or not, types of lessons, bonuses included, scholarships included, support available and more.
Then, I lined them all up and compared them all in a single table so that student pilots could make the best, most informed decision on their training.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the topic of the costs of flight training.
What are the Eligibility Requirements to become a Pilot?
In order to be eligible to become a private pilot, someone must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old when they fly solo
- Be at least 17 years when they receive their Private Pilot certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write and understand English
- Obtain at least a 3rd Class FAA Medical Certificate
- Hold a US Student Pilot Certificate
How to become a Private Pilot?
In order to become a Private Pilot, someone must first meet the eligibility requirements of:
- Be at least 16 years old when they fly solo
- Be at least 17 years when they receive their Private Pilot certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write and understand English
- Obtain at least a 3rd Class FAA Medical Certificate
- Hold a US Student Pilot Certificate
Then, they must meet the minimum hour requirements according to their type of training:
- 40 total hours minimum plus sub-requirements listed above in this article for Part 61 students
- 35 total hours minimum plus sub-requirements listed above in this article
Then, this person must receive endorsements for both the FAA knowledge exam and FAA practical checkride from the certified instructor who performed their training stating that they are ready for the specific exam.
Then, this person must pass the FAA knowledge exam with a 70% or higher prior to passing the FAA practical checkride oral and flight exam.
How Long does it take to become a Private Pilot?
This varies depending upon several factors but mostly on how often you perform flight training lessons and how quickly you progress through the lessons in the eyes of your flight instructor.
The FAA minimum number of hours to become a Private Pilot is 40 hours for Part 61 or 35 hours for Part 141. However, there are several underlying requirements such as solo flight hours, night flight hours, cross-country flight hours, simulated instrument flight hours, ground training and more. Even if you meet all minimum hour requirements, your flight instructor still needs to endorse you for your final checkride exam to become a pilot. In order for your instructor to endorse you, they must deem you proficient in all areas required by the FAA in the Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS) document.
Students that are able to progress and gain proficiency quickly while flying full-time (every day or every other day) can finish near the minimum hour requirement (35 to 50 hours) in about 2-3 months. These students also perform their ground training and have a good understanding of the knowledge prior to starting flight lessons.
Students that aren’t able to fly full-time but on the weekends or off-days from work are more likely to finish in 50-70 hours and in about 4-6 months.
And students that have gaps in their training lasting multiple weeks or that aren’t able to fly each week are going to finish in the higher range of 70-100 hours and 6 months to a year or more.
Can I get a PPL in 3 months or less?
Yes it is possible to get a Private Pilot certificate in 3 months or less if and only if you are flying multiple times per week, gaining proficiency in the required skills quickly and you have performed ground training at a high level prior to your flight lessons.
How long does it take to become an Airline Pilot?
The journey to becoming an airline pilot is a multi-stage process that typically takes 2.5 to 5 years from starting with no flight experience to being eligible for airline employment. This comprehensive timeline includes earning your Private Pilot Certificate (3-6 months), Instrument Rating (2-4 months), Commercial Pilot Certificate with multi-engine rating (6-12 months), and then gaining the crucial flight experience necessary for the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate, often by working as a flight instructor for 1.5 to 2.5 years to reach the required 1,000-1,500 flight hours. The final steps involve completing the ATP Certification Training Program and passing the ATP knowledge and practical tests, leading to readiness for airline interviews.
What's the fastest way to become a Private Pilot?
The fastest way to become a private pilot is all up to the student and the availability of their instructor and aircraft rental. Other factors such as weather, aircraft maintenance and a student’s finances also come into play. It doesn’t matter if you are training under Part 141 or Part 61 for the following things to help you achieve your private pilot license in as little time and as little money as possible:
- Perform ground school first and use a comprehensive ground school and written test prep
- Pass the FAA Written before or early in your training
- Fly as often as possible 4-6 times per week with no breaks
- Try to fly with the same aircraft and instructor throughout your training
- Fly when the weather has the best chances of being clear and stable
- Come to each flight lesson prepared for the flight
How many Solo hours are required to become Private Pilot?
For students flying under Part 61 there are 10 solo hours required and for students flying under Part 141 there are 5 solo hours required as a minimum.
Can I use a Flight Simulator for Private Pilot hours?
Yes, you can use a simulator for the hours required for instrument flight. But there is a maximum amount of hours that can count towards your minimum hour requirements for a private pilot certificate and it must be on a FAA approved flight simulator. The time must also be conducted with instructor supervision.
FAA-Approved Devices Only: The simulator time must be conducted in an FAA-approved Aviation Training Device (ATD), Flight Training Device (FTD), or Full Flight Simulator (FFS). This means your home computer flight simulator (like Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane) does not count towards logged hours.
Specific Hour Limits:
- Under Part 61 rules: You can log a maximum of 2.5 hours of FAA-approved flight simulator time. Crucially, this 2.5 hours can only be applied towards the instrument training requirement.
- Under Part 141 rules: If you are training at an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school, you can credit a slightly higher percentage: a maximum of 4 hours of training in an approved flight simulator or flight training device.
Instructor Supervision: Any simulator time that counts towards your certificate minimums must be logged with an authorized instructor present and providing instruction. The instructor must sign your logbook entry.
Is it worth it to get a Private Pilot License?
Yes! But this depends heavily on your goals. If you want to have the maximum amount of privileges as a pilot with the minimum amount of training then a Private Pilot certificate is worth it. If you want to become an Airline Pilot or fly as a career then you are required to first get a Private Pilot certificate and in that case, it would be worth it as well. So whether you want to be a hobby pilot and able to fly family or friends from state to state or you want to fly for the Airlines one day, a Private Pilot certificate is the best choice. This is why Private Pilot certificates are by far the most popular certificate in the US.
What is the Cheapest Way to become a Pilot?
The cheapest way to become a pilot explained step by step in Part Time Pilot’s free email course called “How to Become a Pilot and Save Money” and summarized below. There is no one trick or one flight school that allows a student pilot to save the most money. Rather, it is a series of things student pilots can prepare and plan ahead for that will make their flight training journey as cheap and as stress-free as possible. Some of those things are:
- Doing Ground School before Flight Training
- Doing a complete Ground School & understanding the concepts in the material rather than just doing FAA Written Test Prep
- Planning ahead financially instead of flying paycheck to paycheck
- Doing flight training at a Flying Club
- Doing flight training in rural parts of the US
- Taking time off work and avoiding travel during flight training
- Flying during the sunniest months of the year
- Buying your own aircraft if you plan to fly a significant amount after receiving a Private Pilot certificate
- And more outlined in the Free “How to Become a Pilot & Save Money” course
