Flight schools

Flight schools train people to fly, from the first trial lesson to a professional licence. Most offer the private pilot licence (PPL), instrument and multi-engine ratings, the commercial pilot licence and flight instructor courses. Larger academies run integrated airline pilot programmes, while flying clubs and smaller schools focus on recreational flying and modular training at a local airfield. Students range from hobby pilots to cadets heading for airline jobs.

Check how the school is approved. In the United States, schools train under FAA Part 61 or Part 141 rules, and Part 141 schools follow an FAA-approved syllabus. In Europe, professional training must be done at an EASA Approved Training Organisation (ATO). Also compare fleet size and age, instructor availability, simulator access, the total cost including exams and checkrides, and how long students actually take to finish.

Flight schools in the directory

Our flight schools span many countries, most in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, followed by the Philippines and Spain.

• AERBRAVA: flight school in Girona, Catalonia.
• Tropicbird Flight Service: flight training in Hawaii.
• Flamingo Air: flight training in Cincinnati.
• 7:47 Aviation: flight training at Chase Field in Cortland, New York.
• A-Cent Aviation: flight school in Colorado Springs.
• Windsor Flying Club

Student pilots often need aviation loans and financing and aviation insurance, and some schools buy training aircraft through aircraft sales brokers. Our guides compare the best flight schools in the USA, the best flight schools in Europe and commercial pilot training costs by country.