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?
How Much Does Pilot Training Cost in the U.S.?
L3Harris Airline Academy can help you achieve your dream of becoming an airline pilot whether you’re just finishing high school or thinking about a career change later in life. We are one of the USA’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.
If you want to take the quickest route to becoming a First Officer and undertake our Accelerated Airline Pilot Track, your pilot training will cost $94,999. Our International Program price starts from $98,000. Take a look at our full list of pilot training programs to learn more about individual pilot course costs.
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:
- Scholarships
- Loans
- Veterans education benefits
Accelerated Airline Pilot Track training costs
$94,999
Our AAPT pilot course cost includes your PPL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, CFI and CFI-I, and the opportunity to gain experience as a flight instructor to kick start your pilot career. For an additional pilot training cost, you can earn your Multi-Engine Certificate which may expand your career opportunities in the future.
Our AAPT program is open to US citizens which means you can fund your pilot training through flight school loans and scholarships.
International Professional Pilot Program Costs
$98,000
Included in your pilot training cost, you will earn your Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Single-Engine Certificate, Commercial Multi-Engine Add-on Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor Certificate.
As the PPP is primarily open to international cadets, you should be aware that loans and scholarships may not be available, so self-funding via an installment plan is likely to be your best option. If you are a US citizen worried about the cost of becoming a pilot, funding is available to cover up to 100% of your pilot training fees.
Individual Pilot Training Costs
We have a range of self-paced pilot training programs designed for individuals looking to obtain certificates, ratings, or recurrent training. Our airline academy fees will vary depending on which rating or certificate you are earning.
Part 141 training is a structured training method following a Training Course Outline (TRO) whilst Part 61 training is a flexible training method allowing cadets to pay-as-you-go and work following their schedule. This is useful when it comes to funding your pilot training because you can spread out the cost over several years.
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.
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.
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.
Meritize expands upon traditional loan options to consider future income potential and reward students with previous academic or military achievements. Interest rates and repayment options will be based upon the student’s merit.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Request info today!
Please complete the form below to contact our team for more information on our Flight Academy.