Summary

• The cost of pilot training can be around $100,000 or more, not including additional fees for exams and equipment.
• Different flight schools have similar price ranges for training costs, such as $88,995 to $91,995 in the US and £80,000 to £130,000 in the UK.
• Some airlines and flight schools offer funding options, scholarships, and low-interest loans to help aspiring pilots with the cost of training.

An airline pilot is considered one of the most prestigious career choices. Flying some of the largest jets and traveling the world at the airline's expense is something many aviation enthusiasts wish to achieve. Moreover, many large airlines offer decent compensation (often six-figure) and benefits. However, achieving the required credentials for a pilot is not always easy.

Besides time commitments and extensive practice, training to become an airline pilot is expensive. Commercial pilot training requires tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. This article delves deeper into the cost of becoming an airline pilot, the requirements, and prospects.

The introduction

The days of full scholarships for flight training are mainly behind us, and most pilots must face the reality of self-funding their pilot training journey. As such, many people have to weigh up the pros and cons, as entering this career will likely require securing a sizable loan and being burdened by that for years to come.

But, for those who can afford it, have the right aptitude to pass the strict entry exams, and have the right personal skills to work well on the flight deck, becoming a pilot can be a gratifying career, both financially and personally. Let's take a look and see how much it costs to train as a pilot in 2022.

Getting your head around $100,000

To most people, regardless of age or financial means, $100,000 is significant. In some parts of the world, it's a house (although in North America and most of Europe, it's just a healthy deposit). If you were to win such an amount on the lottery, it could be considered moderately 'life-changing.' $100,000 is often bandied about as the cost of pilot training, but is that accurate?

One of the biggest and most reputable flight schools is ATP. With 72 flight schools across the US, this training provider spits out around 117 commercial multi-engine pilot graduates every month! ATP states that it costs $91,995 to become a pilot, starting with no previous experience. However, this figure drops to $71,995 when starting with a private pilot certificate already in place.

But that's just for the ATP tuition to become a commercial pilot. They offer this as an up-front, fixed-cost price for training based on realistic flight time requirements. However, that's not all the money required to become certified.

In addition, the student will need to find between $8,800 and $9,600 for FAA examiner fees and knowledge test fees. Pilots usually require access to various third-party apps on their journey to certification, for which ATP recommends a budget of $200. Students will also need access to an iPad, headset, flight bag, and other pilot gear, for which ATP suggests around $1,800. These fees add up quickly.

Looking elsewhere

Monitoring other popular flight schools, the figures seem to be in a similar range of prices. L3Harris, for example, notes that the cost for commercial pilot training starts at $88,995. Meanwhile, UK-based careers guidance service Prospects lists pilot training costs as being between £80,000 and £130,000 ($100,000 - $160,000).

In India, sources say that Commercial Pilot Training costs around Rs. 45 Lakh ($56,000). However, that does not include the Student Pilot License (SPL) or Private Pilot License (PPL), which would further add to the cost.

Getting help and other costs

Aside from the direct costs of obtaining a commercial pilot's license, students must consider other aspects. This can include where they must be to undertake their training, which may mean moving to a new area and renting accommodation. Some universities offer degrees with pilot training incorporated, which can be a way to access included or cheaper accommodation.

That being said, some grants and funding streams do still exist. For example, in the USA, several aviation scholarships are on offer to support or contribute towards the cost of training. Some airlines offer to defer course fees, with the funds later being paid back out of earnings. Furthermore, some flight schools also have partnerships to offer low-interest loans to prospective pilots.

Fees, funding options, and other details will vary depending on who you train with and how quickly you wish to obtain your license. Taking a modular course over several years while you work in another industry can be a more accessible way to cope with the costs. If you're serious about becoming a pilot, talk to your local flight school for advice on funding pathways and the best route to get qualified.

As it happens, Simple Flying recently took a closer look at the various ways that aspiring pilots can fund their journey into the cockpit in a separate article. This covered college loans, military service, flight school financing, and sweat equity. You can read our comprehensive assessment of the matter in full here.

TUI is looking to help aspiring pilots

Over in the UK, leisure carrier TUI Airways recently launched a scheme to help aspiring pilots achieve their dreams on a more affordable basis. Specifically, next September will see it take on 30 cadet pilots, whose training will be funded rather differently. Rather than making a significant upfront commitment, successful applicants will have the costs taken out of their salary once they qualify.

TUI hopes the scheme will attract a greater diversity of applicants from a wider range of backgrounds now that the training won't carry such a financial burden. The application process has five stages, and those who are successful will be in training for 19 months across four phases before finally qualifying.

What do you think about the cost of becoming a pilot? Do you dream of making it to the cockpit one day, or maybe you already have? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.