Pilot Training Programs and Courses

Professional Pilot Program (PPP)

Pilot Training for International Students

The Professional Pilot Program is our key commercial pilot program for international students working towards a career as an airline pilot.

You will learn to fly at our Orlando Flight School which boasts state-of-the-art facilities, with approximately 100 single-and-multi engine aircraft as well as Flight Training Devices.

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U.S. citizen? Check out our AAPT instead.

Professional Pilot Program (PPP)

Professional Pilot Program Course Footprint

Our Professional Pilot Program, takes you from little or no flying experience to a qualified commercial pilot in as little as 15 months.

At our Orlando Flight School, you will take part in a combination of classroom and practical professional pilot training.

In just 15 months, you will qualify with the following: 

  • Private Pilot Certificate - Classroom and flight lab courses to provide students with basic aeronautical knowledge
  • Instrument Rating- Individual flight instruction to control and accurately maneuver an airplane solely utilizing flight instruments
  • Commercial Pilot Single-Engine Certificate - Complete in-depth knowledge of single-engine aircraft components, functions, systems, aerodynamics, and performance at the commercial pilot level
  • Commercial Multi-Engine Add-on Rating – New concepts of multi-engine aerodynamics, rules of multi-engine aircraft, and scenario training such as engine failure
  • Certified Flight Instructor Certificate – Learn the fundamentals of instructing through classwork and demonstrate the ability to teach an individual how to fly

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Professional Pilot Program (PPP)

Who Can Apply for Our Professional Pilot Program?

The Professional Pilot Program is open to students looking to qualify as a pilot in the U.S. By completing this professional pilot training, you will be qualified to apply to fly commercial aircraft for U.S. airlines.

If you are an Indian national or overseas citizen of India, you can also apply for the Air India Cadet Program, Indian CPL or IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program.

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Professional Pilot Program (PPP)

Professional Pilot Program Admission Requirements

Minimum admission requirements for our Professional Pilot Program are as follows:

  • Age - At least 17 years old in order to receive your Private Pilot Certificate
  • Language - Evidence of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English
  • Funding - Proof of funding for full cost of education, including pilot training fees and living expenses
  • Education - A high school graduate or equivalent
  • Medical - Able to obtain an FAA medical certificate
  • Visa - Able to obtain and maintain an international student visa (F-1 or M-1)

For additional airline pilot training requirements please contact Admissions.    

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Professional Pilot Program (PPP)

Cost of Professional Pilot Program

$99,500 Tuition fees (estimated)

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Our Professional Pilot Program cost includes:

  • 235 hours of Ground School
  • 418 hours of Individualized Flight Instruction and Briefings
  • 185 hours in technical advanced aircraft, for example Cessna 172, Cirrus SR20, and Piper Archer, and Piper Seminole
  • 45 hours in Flight Training Devices and Advanced Aviation Training Devices
  • On-site flight tests with Designated Pilot Examiners and Airman Certification Representatives
  • All required supplies, books, uniform, iPad, BOSE headset, safety management and flight planning software, and flight equipment
  • Personalized academic advising and career services
  • Unlimited tutoring and academic support

If you are concerned about the cost of your professional pilot training, take a look at our pilot funding options.

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Professional Pilot Program (PPP)

Take a Discovery Flight

Booking a Discovery Flight is a great way to see if it is the right choice for you. During a trial flight, a Certified Flight Instructor can explain what is involved in becoming a pilot and give you a flavor of life in the air.

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Professional Pilot Program FAQs

What types of aircraft will I train on during Professional Pilot Program training?

As a cadet on our international airline pilot training - PPP - you will have the opportunity to train on single and multi-engine aircraft, as well as train on our five FTDs. As one of the top aviation schools in Florida, our fleet of aircraft is approximately 100 planes strong, and you could fly on any number of our aircraft including:

Single-engine aircraft

  • Cessna 172 Skyhawks
  • Cirrus SR20s
  • Piper Archer PA28

Multi-engine aircraft

  • Piper Seminole PA44

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Where will I complete my Professional Pilot Program training?

PPP training takes place at our Orlando Flight School in Sanford, Florida where cadets will be trained by airline training professionals to meet the high aviation industry standards, benefiting from year-round flying weather for more hands-on experience than other aviation schools in Florida. With access to over 100 Flight Instructors, 5 FTDs, and one of the largest flight school fleets in the state.

Cadets will get hands-on experience of working in a busy environment, but enough space to train and build confidence in the air and on the ground. We share our airspace, runways, and air traffic control tower with international commercial jets, giving a real flavor of life in aviation.

Cadets will also have access to train on our 5 Flight Training Devices (FTDs) in our Simulation and Aircraft Maintenance Building.

Ground school training at our Orlando Academy takes place in our dedicated academic buildings, comprising eight multi-media equipped classrooms, study rooms, and briefing rooms for 1-to-1 training.

Our testing center consists of 10 computerized testing stations and a proctor station, used to complete examinations to pass commercial pilot training.

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What are the age requirements to become an airline pilot?

There are a few airline pilot training requirements you must meet to be allowed to apply. Applicants must be at least 17 years old in order to receive your Private Pilot Certificate (the first step).

To be eligible for a pilot role with airliners in the US, you must be at least 18 years old, have logged the required flight hours, and hold all of the relevant qualifications.

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Do I need a degree to become a commercial pilot?

What do you need to become a commercial pilot? You do not need a degree to become a commercial airline pilot. 

Whilst it is not compulsory to have a university degree before training to become a pilot it could open up more opportunities to work in the aviation industry.

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Can I transfer credit if I have previous flying experience?

Students with prior flying experience may be eligible for credit for their commercial pilot training. Credit that may be assigned is governed by Federal Aviation Regulations 141.77(b).

L3Harris Flight Academy will accept transfer credit to commercial airline training programs on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting review of any flight time, ground school, or exams for the possibility of transfer must notify their admissions representative. All requests for transfer credit must be submitted for review no later than two weeks before the program start date; no exceptions made.

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How long does it take to become a commercial pilot in the U.S.?

If you are thinking about pursuing a career as a pilot, an important factor in this decision is how long it will take you to become a fully fledged pilot and start flying. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question "how long does it take to become a pilot?"

The duration of our AAPT program is 12 months.

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How can I fund my Professional Pilot Program training?

Our Professional Pilot Program is our program for international students, so no funding options are available. U.S. citizens could fund their training on our Accelerated Airline Pilot Program via Stratus Financial or Sallie Mae flight school student loans.

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