Finding an Accelerated Pilot School Program

Time is of the essence when you want to pursue an ambition, such as learning to fly or even becoming a professional pilot. For those who are especially motivated to obtain a pilot’s license – whether private or commercial – an accelerated pilot school program is the fastest way to achieve that goal. In the content below, we discuss factors to consider in finding an accelerated pilot school program, include average timelines and costs.

There are accelerated pilot school programs for both private pilot licenses and commercial pilot licenses. Whether you are seeking a pilot license for purely personal purposes or want to start a new career as a commercial pilot as soon as possible, an accelerated pilot school program may be the best answer for you.

Even though it can be completed more quickly, an accelerated pilot school program should teach the same minimum requirements as a regular program. For example, as explained in the federal regulation Appendix B to Part 141 – Private Pilot Certification Course , the FAA does require a minimum of 35 hours of ground school for a private pilot license to fly an airplane. The FAA also specifies content that ground school programs are required to teach, such as airspace rules and navigation. A student will also need to obtain the same number of FAA-required minimum flight hours during the flight school component of obtaining a pilot license, regardless of whether the program is traditional or accelerated.

The main difference is that an accelerated pilot school program will require more upfront investment of time on the student’s part compared to a traditional program. In addition, an accelerated program may cost more due to its accelerated nature.

On average, an accelerated pilot school program for a private pilot license can be completed in about two to four weeks (assuming that the student already has a student pilot certificate). This generally requires 8 hours of training per day. Even in an accelerated program, a private pilot license requires completing at least 40 hours of flight training.

Due to the advanced nature of commercial pilot training, even accelerated commercial pilot school programs take a long time to complete. (Obtaining a commercial pilot license requires completion of 250 flight hours.) Often, accelerated commercial pilot school programs take eighteen months to two years for those who do not have any prior flight training.

At J.A. Flight Training, comprehensive commercial pilot training can be completed through our Certified Airline Pilot Program (CAPP) in as little as twelve months. This is based on full-time enrollment, with 3 to 4 days of attendance per week. If you have prior ratings, we can credit that towards your progress. In addition, we offer flexible schedules if full-time attendance is not your preference (of course, in this scenario, the program will take longer to complete).

The overall cost of an accelerated pilot school program depends on each individual school, as well as the type of certificate being sought, and the type of aircraft being rented for training. On average, an accelerated pilot program for a private pilot license costs at least $12,000. Note that the stated cost of an accelerated private pilot program may not include the rental cost of an airplane, which is especially important if you do not own your own airplane to train in.

Commercial pilot training is more expensive. The average cost of commercial pilot school is $83,995. J.A. Flight Training is a commercial pilot school with a relatively affordable cost: CAPP costs an estimated $75,000 total, based on 12 months of full-time attendance.

If becoming a commercial airline pilot is your dream, don’t let the costs discourage you. Full financing is available for CAPP (with no payments during training), as well as credit for previous ratings. You can also contact us to discuss your situation and learn more about our flexible options.

Choosing a pilot school program is ultimately a personal decision. Your goals and preferences matter: finding a good fit will increase your satisfaction with the experience and may even contribute to your ability to learn quickly.

Here is a list of some factors to think about in looking for an accelerated pilot school program:

J.A. Flight Training is conveniently located at the Aurora Municipal Airport in the western suburbs of Chicago. If you want to become a commercial pilot, CAPP is a high-quality accelerated pilot school program that enables you to become a commercial pilot in as little as twelve months. Contact us today to learn more and to apply.