L3Harris Flight Academy

Pilot Training Costs
and Funding in the U.S.

Flight training is an investment in your future. While the costs associated with training to become a commercial pilot are high, ultimately, it can be more affordable and financially rewarding than other post-secondary education options. So, how much does it cost to become a pilot - and how can you fund pilot training?

Request info    Funding and finance

How Much Does Pilot Training Cost in the U.S.?

Our Edge: Commercial Pilot Certificate in the U.S. costs $84,025.

L3Harris Airline Academy can help you achieve your dream of becoming an airline pilot in the U.S. whether you’re just finishing high school or thinking about a career change later in life. We are one of the U.S.A.’s leading providers of pilot training with a flight school based in Orlando, Florida at Sanford International Airport.

The cost of pilot training will depend on a number of factors, including your career ambitions.

Alongside world-class training, fantastic job prospects and access to cutting edge facilities, enrolling at L3Harris Flight Academy also provides you with finance options to fund your training. To support you with airline academy costs, a number of funding options are available, including:

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Edge: Commercial Pilot Certificate Cost

$84,025

Our Edge: Commercial Pilot Certificate includes your PPL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate and Performance Pack.

This program is open to US citizens which means you can fund your pilot training through flight school loans and scholarships.

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First In Flight: Private Pilot Certificate Cost

$28,650

In our First In Flight program, you will earn your Private Pilot Certificate/Private Pilot License.

From here you can make flying your hobby or you might decide it’s just the first step of your pilot career and you want to turn your passion into your job.

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Funding Pilot Training

Here at L3Harris Flight Academy you can go from zero flight experience to a commercial pilot making an impressive starting First Officer salary in less than three years.

Developing a plan to fund your training is one of the first steps in the enrollment process. Our Admissions and Financial Aid teams will help guide you through the process of exploring financing options.

Most students pay for the primary portion of their training through self-pay, private educational loans, or a combination of both.

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Self-Pay for Pilot Training

For those looking to self-pay their pilot training, we offer installment plans to help budget the cost of training throughout your program. Our Admissions team is available to discuss pricing and fee structure.

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Loans for Pilot Training

For those who prefer to fund their pilot training through private student loans, we have partnered with lenders who can provide up to 100% of the cost of pilot training for eligible, credit-worthy borrowers.

To support you to cover your pilot license cost, there are several flight school loans available that you can apply for.

Sallie Mae’s Smart Option Student Loan is one of the most common means of financing educational expenses. This traditional loan product allows the borrower to choose interest and repayment options that best suit them.  

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Stratus Financial was founded by pilots and aviation educators to help future pilots achieve their dreams and goals by covering pilot training costs. They support students in navigating the borrowing process to help tailor to meet their needs and fund their pilot training.

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Private student loans are a means of helping cover educational expenses. Like a personal loan, these pilot training financing options often require the borrower to meet certain requirements such as a minimum credit score, debt-to-income ratio, etc. Terms, conditions, and repayment options vary depending upon eligibility and the loan product.  

We recommend working with our Financial Aid team to identify how much money you need to borrow, develop a plan to budget your flight training expenses, and compare lending options to meet your needs. 

Learn more about the pilot training loans available to you, including information about flight school loan repayment.

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Flight School Scholarships

If you are considering applying for an alternative pilot training scholarship to fund your journey to becoming a pilot, there can be some great incentives to help offset the cost of flight training.  

A variety of external organizations offer scholarships that may cover a portion of flight training, sometimes up to $10,000. We encourage students to research and apply for any of these scholarships. Some of them are exclusive to students who have already begun training.

Unlike flight school loans, aviation scholarships cover your airline academy costs without you paying anything back.

Request info    Info on external scholarships

Military and Veterans Education Benefits

Veterans Education Benefits/G.I. Bill 

If you have served in the U.S. military, you may be eligible for educational benefits that could pay for a portion of your flight training program costs.

As a student in a part 141 program, you may be able to apply your benefits to help cover the cost of ground school, dual instruction, and flight briefings.

Veterans who are unsure of their eligibility or have questions about their entitlement should contact the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (1-888-GIBILL1).

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Veterans Education Benefits/G.I. Bill

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