Top Pilot Training Schools in USA 2024
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The average salary of a pilot in the USA is around USD 186,500 and for commercial pilots is even higher. There are also those applicants who wish to study in USA at the best flying schools in USA but practice in their home countries. In this case, applicants have to follow their country-specific directorate’s rules and complete their training accordingly in the US flying school. Let's check this article out for some of the best pilot training in the USA for Indian students.
Pilot Training in USA Highlights
| Professional Flying Schools in USA |
260+ |
| Flying Schools Certifications |
FAA: Student, Private & Commercial Pilots |
| Number of Pilots in USA (2020) |
806,940 |
| Courses Offered |
Private Pilot | Single / Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot | Flight Instructor |
| Duration |
7 - 9 months |
| Average Tuition Cost |
USD 15,000 - USD 100,000 |
| Number of Flying Hours Needed |
250 - 1500 hours |
| Median Salary of Pilot in US |
USD 34,000 |
| Flight School Growth in USA |
4.2% since 2024 |
| Top Recruiters |
Southwest Airlines | Spirit Airlines | Sun Country Airlines | U.S. Army | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
Why Study in Pilot Training Schools in USA?
Pilots are in most demand in not just USA but across the globe. With the increasing flight operations and commercial airlines coming into play, more and more pilots are being required. Let's check out other reasons why going for pilot training is becoming an attractive option for international students in USA:
- Numerous flying schools in USA but accept international students and offer them the best on-field training.
- Recognised certifications across the globe and compliance with DGCA rules for Indian pilot aspirants if studying pilot training courses in USA.
- Professional and certified flying schools in USA extend applicants' experience of flying based on their country-specific requirements.
- Average salary of a pilot in USA is around USD 189,000 and above annually, hence a handsome amount to look forward to.
- After studying at any of the recognised, best-flying schools in USA, pilots can join commercial airlines as well.
Boeing forecasts 763,000 new pilot jobs worldwide over the upcoming 20 years. Hence, it is a good option to choose a flying school in USA to complete flight training certification as an Indian student.
6 Best Flight Schools in USA for Indian Students
Let's discuss about some of the flight schools in USA for international students and how they can enrol for certain courses below:
1. University of North Dakota
International students can apply for a Bachelor’s in Science degree and opt for a Commercial Aviation course at the University of North Dakota. After graduation, applicants will get placement opportunities and fly with commercial or US military. Check out the details for commercial aviation below:
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| Course Offered at UND |
|
| Tuition Fee |
USD 36,460 approx |
| Type of Course |
Full-time |
| Duration |
4 years |
| Eligibility |
17 years of age, had science subjects at high school, English proficiency test scores |
| Application Deadlines |
|
| Application Fees |
USD 35 |
| Opportunities |
|
Post graduation in Commercial Aviation, many trained pilots have joined commercial airlines like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, and others.
2. Paragon Flight School
One of the leading flying schools in the USA is Paragon Flight School, which offers international students pilot training programmes that are usually less than a year long. Certain certifications are also awarded which are recognised worldwide for those who qualify for any of the programmes from this flying school in USA. more details are as follows:
| Commercial Pilot Training Courses Available |
|
| Duration |
7 - 11 months |
| Certifications Offered |
|
| Basic Eligibility |
Pre-selection screening to check if the applicant fits in the commercial pilot standard requirements. |
| After Prescreening |
Program outline will be given out with cost and accept offer letter |
| Visa Requirements |
M-1 Visa |
Applicants who are already pilots and seek to upgrade their certifications can also apply to this flying school in USA. Admissions will be based on previous knowledge and the number of hours completed.
3. Epic Flight Academy
One major program, Airline Pilot Programme, is offered at Epic Flight Academy for international students. In association with Daytona State College applicants can take up Associate Degree in Operations Management. Check out more details in the table below for courses and eligibility at Epic Flight Academy:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Duration |
2 - 3 months (may vary based on country) |
| Certifications Post Course Completion |
|
| Basic Eligibility |
17 years of age + high school diploma or equivalent + FAA medical certificate + valid passport + English language proficiency |
| Fees |
|
| Visa Requirements |
M-1 Visa |
Epic Flight Academy is one of the flying schools in USA which offers PICC time-building course. This is essential for applicants who wish to have more flying experience. An M-1 visa will be required for studying at this flight school.
4. Skymates Flight Academy
With more than 3,000 pilots trained in the past 26 years, Skymates Flight Academy is a professional flying school in USA. All courses are FAA approved and are available for international students as well. Check out more details below:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Fees |
Starting from USD 53,000 |
| Class Size |
120 students |
| Instructors |
21 |
| Course Duration |
8 - 12 months |
| Basic Eligibility |
17 years + English proficiency + FAA medical certificate + valid passport |
| Accommodations |
Available |
| Training Across |
25 aircrafts |
International students have the option to opt for accommodation while studying at Skymates Flight Academy. They will have to submit an application form based on the choice of course and pay the requisite tuition fee for the course.
5. Phoenix East Aviation (PEA)
Experiences to train student pilots since 1972, Phoenix East Aviation has seen 12,000+ pilots take up a career post their education. Around 30,000+ hours are completed in a year for applicants pursuing a course in aviation from PEA. more details about courses, eligibility and fee are given below:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Duration |
Upto 429 hours |
| Basic Eligibility |
Pre-screening + interview and previous academics |
| Application Process |
Apply through the PEA website |
| Application Fee |
USD 50 |
| Visa Requirements |
F-1 visa required |
| Course Fee |
Based on the course of choice and |
Admission is based on applicants’ pre-screening when they submit the initial query form with their details. After they are shortlisted PEA immigrant gets in touch with the applicants and further details are shared like the number of hours that are required to be fulfilled and fees based on it.
6. Sunrise Aviation Flight School
Indian aspirants looking for an aviation school in USA can consider courses designed specifically for them at Sunrise Aviation Flight School. As per DGCA, Indian pilots have to complete a course with 250 hours of flying. Piper Seneca PA34 aircraft is a part of training at Sunrise Aviation Flight School and is approved by DGCA as well. Let’s check out more details below for admissions at this flying school:
| Courses Offered |
|
| Course Duration |
7 months |
| Application Fee |
USD 500 |
| Basic Eligibility |
17 years of age, diploma, English language proficiency |
| Tuition Fees |
USD 42,000 (may vary) |
| Visa Requirements |
M-1 Visa Required |
Since Sunrise Aviation Flight School is an affiliate of CEFAT India, located in Bangalore, applicants can be rest assured that their training will be in compliance with DGCA. Hence, this is majorly for those who wish to study in USA but wish to return to India.
Also check: 7 Best Flying Schools in the World
Other Top Flying Schools in USA
There are a few more flying schools in USA which offer aviation courses for aspiring international pilots apart from the already mentioned above. Some of these are as follows:
- Purdue University
- Western Michigan University
- California Institute of Technology
- Aeroism Flight Academy
- Hallmark University
Applicants can also consider the above-given US-based flying schools for admissions as international students.
Still, have more doubts? Write to us in the comments below or sign up for Shiksha Study Abroad Counselling for free.
Best Flight Schools in USA FAQs
Q. Can I study aviation in the USA?
A. Yes, Indian applicants are eligible to take up aviation courses in USA. There are over 200+ institutions which offer kinds of courses in aviation. Applicants who wish to pursue an aviation course in USA will have to clear the admission processand apply for a student visa in order to study in USA.
Q. What is the cost of studying aviation courses in USA?
A. Based on the type of aviation course or certification in USA, the applicants will have to pay the following amount based on the duration of their courses:
| Type of Certification | Fee Annual | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot Certificate | USD 21,000 - USD 26,000 | 2-3 Months |
| Instrument Rating | USD 21,000 - USD 26,000 | 2-3 Months |
| Commercial Certificate | USD 25,000 - USD 27,000 | 2-3 Months |
| Certified Flight Instructor | USD 6,500 - USD 8,000 | 1-2 Months |
| Certified Flight Instructor Instrument | USD 5,000 - USD 8,000 | 1 Month |
| Multi-Engine Add On (with 25 hours of flight time) | USD 15,000 - USD 18,000 | 2-3 Weeks |
Q. Can Indian pilots get job in USA?
A. Yes, Indian pilots can work in USA if they are certified and qualified. They can work only with commercial airlines and not government based airlines. The applicants can apply in USA after completing their degree here or after qualifying from US institutions itself. While not a lot of US institutions can offer placements to its students after they graduate, the applicants can still look for a job for themselves.
Q. Is USA popular for its aviation courses?
A. Yes, USA is a popular destination to pursue aviation courses, reason being they are STEM-education courses. Those who qualify a STEM degree in USA, are eligible for OPT which gives them extension to stay back in USA and work. Check out STEM OPT Extension for more details.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: What is the maximum and minimum score in GRE to get admission for MS in USA?
GRE is a popular standardised test for getting admission in MS program in the world. However, there are many universities in the USA that offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores. There is fixed minimum or maximum GRE score for admission. However, even if your GRE score is below the average for a particular program, you may still be considered for admission if you have strong qualifications in other areas. It is adviseble to check university website for the exact information.
Q: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Which is better, UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) or NIU (Northern Illinois University)?
As per an unofficial source, the University of Illinois Chicago ranked at #80 among national universities which is better than the NIU ranking at #273 position. The UIC is also exceeding in terms of graduation rates and easier selection than NIU. However, the tuition cost is more affordable at Northern Illinois University as compared to UIC. Students can get more clarity from the comparison table given below:
Particulars | University of Illinois Chicago | Northern Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
US News National Rankings 2024 | #80 | #273 |
Acceptance Rate | 79% | 70% |
Graduation Rate | 40% | 33% |
Tuition Cost | UG: INR 22L-INR 49L PG: INR 13L-INR 37L | UG: INR 10L-INR 16.5L PG: INR 8L-INR 45L |
Student-faculty ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 |
Q: What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
Q: Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: Why choose Touro University for MBA in USA rather than Kansas State University?
There are several reasons to pursue your MBA from Touro University rather than Kansas State University as Touro University is one of the top 100 MBA schools in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report, while Kansas State University's MBA programme ranks 144th. In addition, Touro University has a more reasonable cost of tuition, with MBA tuition at $950 per credit and other degrees ranging from $910 to $950 per credit. In contrast, Kansas State University's MBA tuition is $21,170 per year, plus $1,300 in other expenses. Finally, Touro University's Graduate School of Business also offers an online MBA alternative for flexible learning, tuition support programs, along with variety of scholarships for international students, including the Dean's Excellence Award.
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a year ago
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.