There are several different types of pilots, from the recreational flier to the professional airline pilot. Before you start looking at flight schools, it's important to decide what kind of pilot you want to be. Do you want to fly for fun? Pilot small charter flights? Captain a commercial airline?
Depending on the type of license you seek, pilot programs can take a few months all the way up to four years for bachelor's degree programs, which are usually recommended for those who want to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. All programs require a combination of “ground school,” or classroom work, and in-flight training.
There are several different ways to go about obtaining a commercial pilots license. If you choose to attend a four-year college or university that offers an aviation major, plan on spending a total of $100,000 or more. Tuition for some programs runs upwards of $30,000 a year. The advantage is that you will graduate with a bachelor's degree and all of the required flight certifications.
Or, you can pursue a commercial license at a private school. It's difficult to nail down an exact cost for private schools because flight schools advertise their prices based on varying criteria. Generally, plan to invest $40,000-$60,000 and up to one or two years. Well-known flight schools can cost up to $80,000. Keep in mind, though, that most airlines will also want to see that you have a bachelor's degree. So if you choose to pursue that separately, don't forget to factor in the cost.
A private pilot's license is far less expensive, typically running $3,000-$10,000.
If you can't afford the cost of commercial pilot training, considering pursuing a pilot's license in the military. Training is free, but you will have to serve in the military afterward. The U.S. Air Force requires pilot's to serve for a minimum of 10 years.
Unlike other types of schools, your schedule and preferences have a lot of influence over the total cost of flight school. Remember, the faster you train, the less expensive the overall bill will be. Influencing factors include:
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