Financial Assistance

Using our Estimated Course Cost Calculator, the number of lessons you take per week directly affects how much you will likely pay for your program. Students who fly more per week will complete their program with less remedial training (the need to review material/skills that have been forgotten while away from training). This means fewer flight hours and as a direct result, becomes less expensive. A typical flight lesson is a 2-hour block from when you enter and exit the building, which includes an approximate 1-hour in-flight lesson along with pre-and post-flight briefings. You will want to determine a regular training schedule that will work for you to establish a "training routine". Pick a schedule that will ensure that you will be well-rested and alert. As an example, scheduling lessons after a stressful day at work, starting training while working through family/life challenges, etc., will likely reduce your focus and attention resulting in more remedial training and increased expense.

To help reduce the cost of your training investment, commit to a regular flight schedule of at least 4 lessons per week, and schedule at least one month in advance. By the 15th of the current month, schedule through the end of the following month. This way you will have a set routine with your instructor and an aircraft already reserved and ready for you. Those who wait until the last minute to schedule flights and schedule only a few days, typically find that their instructor and/or airplane are not as available. Be proactive with your scheduling and work with your instructor to get and stay scheduled!

As mentioned previously in the training pages, the term “syllabus” is used quite a bit – use it! Be prepared prior to each lesson by studying key concepts for both knowledge and skill. Ask your flight instructor to give you guidance on what to study and prepare for *in advance* of your next lesson. This way you can research the knowledge, risk factors, and skills required for the tasks involved in the next lesson. These topics will be listed in your training syllabus and the Airman Certification Standards (ACS).

For flight maneuvers, learn to visualize the maneuvers while at home, go “armchair flying”! Yes, you’ll look a bit weird to family and friends, but this is a technique regularly used by pilots in the military pilots and airlines. Basically, you visualize the maneuver and work through the various steps. Almost like playing a game of charades. Pretend you are holding the yoke and pulling back to climb, make turns, reach out to where a flap lever may be, move your feet like you’re working the rudders, etc. A swivel chair adds to the experience as you rotate it around for the various directions needed, such as in the traffic pattern. This type of practice develops “muscle memory,” and will make the actual movement in the airplane much easier and promotes further understanding.

Now for the “elephant in the room” (as they say), how much funding will you need? Of course, this depends on what course you are on (e.g. minimum 35 hours of flight time for a Private Pilot and 120 hours for commercial). Regardless, there are several financing options available to you. Some options will limit the frequency of how funds toward training are disbursed, but provide greater funding support, such as training through a college program where funds are provided quarterly with funding limits. Members of the military, both active and veteran, may have access to the GI Bill®, which can provide significant funding support. Members of the Army have access to additional educational assistance through the Army’s Credentialling Assistance Program (aka ACAP, CA, COOL), and local employees working at Boeing can get funding support through IAM/Boeing’s educational assistance program.

A number of aviation organizations such as the Aircraft Owner’s and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP), the Ninety-Nines, Women in Aviation, and others, provide scholarships as well.

Not all, but most of the scholarships require you to possess a Private Pilot certificate or some indication that you plan to progress toward a professional flying career. For those looking to secure a career with the airlines, many are offering financial assistance to help you fund your training, such as Horizon Airlines Pilot Development Program, which you can learn more about HERE.

Once you have researched and applied for all the “free money” you can find, there may still be a financial bridge to cross. Safety in Motion Flight Center has partnered with Flight Training Finance, so that you can apply for a loan to finance your training. For some, this option is nice as it reduces your monthly expense and spreads payments over a few years. This program also allows you to pay off the loan early with no penalties. Learn more about Pilot Finance HERE.

ome students have money saved up to cover all the training, some get assistance from family, and others get a credit card with some sort of point system, so they get a side benefit from their training. Some homeowners take out a home equity loan and use that while taking a potential tax advantage. Others simply know that it will cost a bit more to take fewer lessons per week and simply “pay as they go." For those looking to fly 1-2 lessons per week, we usually recommend they suspend flight training and save their money to the point of funding a certificate or rating. At a minimum, have enough funds set aside to at least get through a stage of training, which takes you to a natural resting point within the curriculum thus saving you the added expense of more remedial training. These are merely cost-saving suggestions and we're more than happy to support you in your decision on how you would like to structure your training program.

Click HERE for our Calculator. The number of lessons you take per week will directly affect how much you will likely pay for your program. This calculator can help you estimate your costs.