What is the Difference Between a Flight School, Flight Academy, or College?
Are you curious about what it takes to become a pilot? Have you ever wondered what the difference is between flight school versus college, and wondered which is best for you? Humans have always been fascinated by flight, but ever since the invention of airplanes people have dreamt of soaring above the clouds. Here at Safety In Motion, our motto is, Stop Dreaming, and Start Flying!
If you’re serious about flying there’s no time like the present! Years of schooling followed by months of training may seem like more than you can commit to, but the good news is, there’s a faster way. While you can choose the traditional 4-year school (college), you can also opt for flight school, which will save you years of training and get you up above those clouds much sooner.
So which is best for you when it comes to flight training? This depends on what your goals are, your timeline to complete them, and your financial situation.
Here are some quick points for each option:
Flight School
Flight schools specialize in one thing, Flight Training. The level and complexity of that training can vary between schools. Smaller schools may only offer specialized training like in tailwheel airplanes or a Sport Pilot certificate, but larger schools like Safety in Motion, offer programs ranging from Sport Pilot to Airline Transport Pilot. Some schools, such as Safety in Motion Flight Center, allow you to pay as you go. Others, however, require money up-front. (Be careful of schools requiring up-front payments, read the requirements carefully.)
With advance notice and a commitment to learning, flight schools can typically keep up with your pace of training, even if you want to fly every day or 2-times a day. In fact, if you’re dedicated, you can complete your training at the same rate (or faster) than going to an accelerated flight academy-type program. Because most flight schools are not configured as colleges, financial aid options can be limited, however, schools like Safety in Motion Flight Center, affiliate with local colleges and universities, the Veteran’s Administration, and other entities that can assist if additional financial assistance is needed/desired. We realize that each student has different needs and goals, so your training program is individualized and tailored accordingly.
Flight Academy
Academies are focused on moving pilots directly to the airlines in the most efficient way possible. These programs typically require paying for the full program in advance and training to a testing standard that will allow for rapid flight time. All geared toward an airline-focused career. Most training programs won’t allow you to have a job, as your time will be spent either in training or flight time. The programs are fast-paced and usually have an expectation that you have studied all the required training information prior to starting the program. If you are considering this route, be sure to read the enrollment paperwork! For example, some of these programs will indicate they have fully earned the money after 50% of your training is completed and if you are not making satisfactory progress, they can terminate your training and keep the remaining money. These programs typically run $60,000 to over $100,000, which is why we recommend you are fully informed and understand the expectations and requirements before signing any agreements.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges and universities offer flight degree programs that include flight training. These programs can take much longer to complete than the flight schools and academies, however, they can provide more financial assistance through Federal Grant and Loan programs, Bank Student Loans, etc. If your goal is to fly for the airlines, these schools typically have FAA approval allowing you to meet the airline hiring minimums with less flight time experience, and in some cases, requirements can be reduced by 500 flight hours. As mentioned, some flight schools such as Safety in Motion Flight Center, are affiliated with local colleges and provide flight training for their programs. Safety in Motion is partnered with Green River College in Auburn, Washington. As mentioned, college programs typically take much longer to complete since you need to adhere to a class and credit schedule instead of just flying. For example, a Private Pilot certificate will normally take a year to complete at a college/university, but only 2-3 months at a flight school or academy.
To find out more about how we can assist you with your specific flight training needs, simply contact us! We strongly recommend scheduling either an in-person, Zoom, or telephone meeting with us to discuss your goals, as each person’s situation is unique.
