Best Pilot Training Institutes in the World 2024-25

Commercial pilot as a job profile is fun, rewarding, and exciting. We agree that the life and times of being a pilot by profession are both glamorous and high-paying. But that is a very big BUT, you do not have any option of going wrong as it is not just your life you have at stake but also the lives of others and that too in huge numbers. That's why you must get your pilot training only at the best pilot training institute. 

Wilbur Wright, an aviation pioneer, once aptly said, “It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill”. This article throws light on the best aviation schools in the world for international students. 

Best Pilot Training Institute(s) in the World 2024-25

While there are many good flying clubs in India these days there is a growing trend of people opting to complete their flying and gain their licenses from abroad. Captain U.S. Tiwari, a senior pilot of Air India (narrow-body) promptly confirmed this by saying, “Enrolling into a flying school abroad can prove to be an expensive affair but young aspiring pilots prefer it as it is a quicker option to complete their flying hours”. He further added, “The same course can stretch for some 2 years in India while studying the same course abroad takes just 6-8 months making it a much quicker option”

Some of the best flight schools in the world are as follows:

• CAE Oxford Aviation Academy

• CTC Wings (Europe)

• Flight Safety Academy (USA)

• Pan AM International Flying Academy

• Singapore Flying College

• Ardmore Flying School

• Sunrise Aviation

1. CAE Oxford Aviation Academy

With 85 years of experience in pilot training, CAE Aviation Academy is considered to be one of the best flying schools across the globe. This European flying school also has centres at Amsterdam, Brussels, Gondia, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Perth, Phoenix, and Rae Bareli. Training programmes undertaken at this school include ATPL, CPL and MPL training routes. The academy has more than 200 aircraft and can train more than 2,000 pilots annually.

2. CTC Wings (Europe)

This is one of the most reputable flying clubs in the world. CTC boasts of having cadets such that 97.8% of them pass all 14 ATPL subjects in their first attempt and 99% of the graduates get placed with some of the other airlines. In 2013, 243 new pilots graduated from the CTC aviation academy. UK’s largest airline, EasyJet, hired 119 of the 243 graduates in the same year. It also has training centres in New Zealand, India, Australia, and Singapore.

3. Flight Safety Academy (USA)

Known to produce top-class pilots since 1966, Flight Safety Academy is undoubtedly the oldest and one of the best in the business. More than 17,000 pilots who have graduated from this flying school operate flights for some 62 airlines and over 100 corporate flight departments. This training institute offers direct flight line access, and on-site accommodations along with well-equipped classrooms, administrative offices, and aircraft maintenance hangars.

4. Pan AM International Flying Academy

Established in 1980, Pan AM has training centres all over the United States and the world. Apart from pilot flight training, this academy also offers airline crew training, aircraft maintenance training, aircraft dispatcher training, and air traffic control training. 

5. Singapore Flying College

Known to provide ab-initio as well as advanced flight training to pilots for the Singapore Airlines Group, this flying college of Singapore was established in 1988. The college’s training fleet comprises five single-engine Cessna C172 in Seletar, 16 single-engine analogue and Garmin-equipped Cessna C172. It also includes three Garmin-equipped multi-engine Beech Baron aircraft in Jandakot for the ab-initio phase and four Cessna Mustang light jet aircraft in Maroochydore for the Advanced Training Phase. The college is known to have trained more than 1900 cadets for the Singapore Airlines Group. It began enrolling self-sponsored candidates in 2006 and around 30 of these candidates are presently working at reputable airlines.

7. Ardmore Flying School

Ardmore Flying School is another flying school which international students can think of attending in order to learn to fly. This flying school is located in New Zealand and offers courses like - The Level 5 Flight Training Program, Level 6 Arline Preparation Program and Flight Instruction Program along with the Modular Training Program. The employment prospects increase for students depending on the number of modules they complete during their course of study. Ardmore Flying School allows its students aiming for commercial pilot jobs to fly twice a month and pursue a course falling under Level 5 or 6. Eligibility may depend upon the level, of course, opted for, but basic requirements include a 5.5 on IELTS and a minimum of 17 years of age along with a minimum of Class 2 m2dical.

Check out: Ardmore Flying School Courses

8. Sunrise Aviation

Courses at Sunrise Aviation go in sync with DGCA requirements in terms of aircraft training. The DGCA-approved courses require its students to complete 250 hours including 200 hours of in-aircraft training. For students who wish to know in which aircraft they would their training place, the answer is the Piper Seneca PA34 aircraft - which is also DGCA approved. Thus, those willing to opt for Sunrise Aviation courses can apply through the Indian-country coordinator. After graduating from this flying school, students can come back and work as commercial pilots. 

9. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Often entitled as the "Best Aviation and Aerospace University in the World", the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was founded in 1925. The university has two campuses spread across Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott and the Worldwide campus. The university offers more than 100 degrees and is known to be the largest and fully accredited university specializing in Aviation, Aerospace, and Security / Intelligence.  

10. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers a unique and comprehensive program in aviation engineering through its Aerospace Option in Mechanical Engineering. This program is designed to prepare students for careers in the aerospace industry, focusing on the design, development, and analysis of aircraft and spacecraft.

Interested candidates can apply for the courses on offer by these flying schools from February onwards provided they have completed their 10+2 and are (minimum) 17 years of age. Each course has a different fee structure. Interested candidates need to submit all their details along with their requirements on the official website of these flying clubs and be assured to receive a prompt reply with the fee structure and batch commencing date from the institute.

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