If you want to become a professional or commercial pilot to explore the skies, or if you don’t want to fly but want to develop and maintain sophisticated planes, then aviation is the area for you. Whatever your goals are, a degree from one of the best pilot schools in the world can help you get there. The aviation business is a vastly varied industry with several work prospects. These career possibilities range from customer service to occupations requiring highly technical skills. So, note down all the tips from this blog to understand best aviation schools in the world that matches you!
List Of Best Flying Schools in the World
While a college may be regionally or nationally accredited as a whole, individual programmes may also be technically accredited by industry-specific accrediting authorities. The Aviation Accreditation Board International certifies many aviation programmes. Here are best pilot schools in the world
| Best Pilot Training Institutes In The World | ||||
| Rank | Pilot School | Location | Degrees Offered | Tuition Fees |
| 1 | Purdue University Aviation College | West Lafayette, Indiana, USA | Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Management, Professional Flight Technology | $10,000 (locals), $28,000 (non-residents) |
| 2 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, USA | Airport Administration, Aviation Management, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Technology Management, Master of Science in Aviation, PhD in Aerospace Sciences | $8,447 (residents), $20,047 (non-residents) |
| 3 | Ohio State University Aviation College | USA | Undergraduate and Graduate Aviation Degree Programs | $4,223 to $10,023 |
| 4 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Aviation | Daytona Beach, Florida, USA | Aeronautical Science, Aerospace Engineering, Global Security & Intelligence, Air Traffic Control, Business Administration | $48,992 to $50,570 |
| 5 | Western Michigan University Aviation College | USA | Aviation Management, Aviation Flight Science, Aviation Maintenance | $10,000 (locals), $24,000 (non-residents) |
| 6 | CAE Oxford Aviation Academy | Multiple locations worldwide | Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) | $4,500 – $15,500 |
| 7 | CTC Wings (Europe) | Multiple locations worldwide | Night Rating, CPL, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, Multi-Engine IFR/IR, Type Rating, and more | $2,600 – $5,400 |
| 8 | Pan Am International Flying Academy | USA | Pilot Training, Air Traffic Control, Airline Crew Training, Aircraft Maintenance Training, Aircraft Dispatcher Training | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| 9 | Singapore Flying College | Singapore | CAAS Multi-Crew Pilot Licence, CAAS Commercial Pilot Licence, Australian Commercial Pilot Licence + MEIR, UAPL Training, ATPL Theory | Not specified |
| 10 | Ardmore Flying School | New Zealand | L6 Diploma in Aviation – Airline Preparation, L6 Diploma in Aviation – Flight Instruction, L5 Training Scheme in Aviation – Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating, Modular Pilot Programme | Not specified |
Note: Tuition fees are approximate and may vary.
Before we go in-depth about the best flying schools in the world, let’s have a look at the reasons and the eligibility criteria to enroll in an aviation course at these esteemed institutions:
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1. Purdue University Aviation College
Purdue Aviation College is one of the best aerospace engineering colleges in the world located in West Lafayette Indiana, United States. This is where Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, received his high school diploma. According to U.S. News & World Report, Purdue University’s aviation school is recognised as the “Cradle of Astronauts.” The Purdue University acceptance rate is just 58% meaning that it follows a selective admission criteria.
Degrees Offered: Students in several aeronautical degree programmes attend Purdue’s College of Technology. Aeronautical engineering technology, air traffic control, aviation management, and professional flight technology students are among those enrolled.
Tuition Fees: Tuition at Purdue Aviation College typically starts at $10,000 for locals. It starts at $28,000 for non-residents. Purdue University admission can be therefore attained by paying a fee of the above number.
2. University Of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is another noteworthy aviation school located in Grand Forks, United States that deserves a mention while considering the best pilot schools in the world. John D. Odegard owns the school. The University of North Dakota’s John Odegard School of Aerospace Studies has long been renowned as a breeding ground for top-tier aero-space professionals. This aviation college provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees. Students enrolled in any of these programmes have the option of adding a minor or speciality certification.
Degrees Offered: The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences offers degrees in airport administration, aviation management, air traffic control, aviation technology management, and other fields. The University of North Dakota also provides a master of science in aviation and a PhD in aerospace sciences and thus makes it one of the best aviation colleges in the world.
Tuition Fees: North Dakota residents who enrol at the university pay $8,447 for tuition, while non-residents pay $20,047.
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3. Ohio State University Aviation College
Ohio State University is one of the best flight schools in the world as well as in the USA. The average undergraduate enrollment of Ohio State University admisson is 45,800 students. The Center for Aviation Studies at Ohio State University is without a doubt one of the greatest aviation institutions in the world. Ohio State University acceptance rate is 53% and an early acceptance rate of 59% approximately. This is one of the best aviation universities in the world, therefore, provides highly skilled undergraduate and graduate aviation degree programmes.
Tuition Fees: Tuition costs range from $4,223 to $10,023 depending on whether you are a resident or not.
4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College Of Aviation
This prominent aviation college, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States is often known as Harvard of the Skies. The university has produced more alumni than any other aviation university. The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University acceptance rate stands at just 68%. This is due to the fact that it is the oldest and biggest institution offering aviation studies.
Degrees Offered: Aeronautical science, aeronautical and aerospace engineering, global security & intelligence, air traffic control, and business administration are just a few of the degree programmes available at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. ERAU is the only aviation college that offers a PhD degree.
Tuition Fees: Tuition at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University typically varies from $48,992 to $50,570.
5. Western Michigan University Aviation College
Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation is regarded as one of the best in the United States. The institution has been in existence for 75 years and has established itself as a highly renowned and revered aviation college around the globe.
Degrees Offered: Degree programmes in aviation management, aviation flight science, and aviation maintenance are available to students in the College of Aviation.
Tuition Fees: Tuition prices typically vary from $10,000 for locals to $24,000 for non-residents; however, students from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin pay a lower tuition rate.
6. CAE Oxford Aviation Academy
The CAE Aviation Academy, one of the greatest pilot training facilities in the world, has been training pilots for 85 years. Furthermore, this European flight school has locations in Amsterdam, Brussels, Gondia, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Perth, Phoenix, and Rae Bareli. This institution provides training courses for the ATPL, CPL, and MPL training paths. With access to more than 200 aircraft, the academy can yearly teach more than 2,000 pilots.
Degrees Offered: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and Multi-Crew Pilot License are all available from CAE (MPL). The primary area of expertise for CAE is the training of novice pilots up to the CPL/ATPL/MPL level.
Tuition-Fees: The cost of studying at CAE can range between $4,500 – $5,500 for a Bachelor’s, $3,700 – $,7,500 for a Master’s and $14,000 – $15,500 for a PhD.
7. CTC Wings (Europe)
CTC Wings is one of the top pilot training facilities in the world. CTC Wings also has a centre for aerospace engineering in Australia. Additionally, 99% of graduates, get hired by one of the other airlines, and 97.8% of cadets pass all 14 ATPL topics on their first attempt. 2013 saw the graduation of 243 new pilots from the CTC aviation programme. Out of the 243 graduates, 119 were hired the same year by EasyJet, the biggest airline in the UK. It also offers training centres in Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, and other countries.
Degrees Offered: CTC Wings offers Night Rating, CPL – Commercial Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, Multi-Engine IFR/IR, Multi Engine Sim Training, Co-Pilot Line Training, Type Rating and more.
Tuition-Fees: The cost of studying at CTC Wings can range from around $2,600 to $5,400.
8. Pan AM International Flying Academy
Pan Am International Flight Academy (PAIFA) is one of the aviation schools with a focus on educating airlines, pilots, and other aviation professionals from all over the world. The holding company for All Nippon Airlines currently owns it. The Greater Miami Aviation Association presented the Corporate Achievement Award to Pan Am International Flight Academy in 2017 in recognition of the company’s services to the aviation sector. The Denver office of the U.S. Commercial Services Division, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, presented the Export Achievement Certificate to Pan Am International Flying Academy.
Degrees Offered: The academy offers pilot training courses and apart from that it also provides students with the option of air traffic control training, airline crew training, aircraft maintenance training and aircraft dispatcher training.
Tuition-Fees: Depending on eligibility, attending Pan Am International Flying Academy can cost as little as $18,000 or as much as $17,000, with a median price of $8,000.
9. Singapore Flying College
Established in 1988, this flying school in Singapore is renowned for providing both fundamental and advanced flight training to pilots working for the Singapore Airlines Group. The college’s training fleet consists of 16 Cessna C172 single-engine aircraft furnished with Garmin and five Cessna C172 single-engine aircraft based in Seletar. About 1,900 cadets who served for the Singapore Airlines Group are known to have gotten training at the college, which has been acknowledged as one of the greatest pilot schools in the world. It began accepting applications from self-sponsored people in 2006; as of right now, 30 of these applicants are working for reputable airlines.
Degrees Offered: The primary goal of Singapore Flying College is to teach cadet pilots for the MPL and CPL in Singapore. The college offers CAAS Multi-crew Pilot Licence, CAAS Commercial Pilot Licence, Australian Commercial Pilot Licence + MEIR, UAPL Training, Multi-Engine Instrument Rating and ATPL Theory.
The university moreover makes studying in Singapore an attractive and viable option for international students.
10. Ardmore Flying School
Ardmore Flying School is a different flight school located in New Zealand that international students could think about enrolling in to learn to fly. If a student wants to become commercial pilot, they can fly twice a month and sign up for Level 5 or 6 courses at Ardmore Flying School.
Degrees Offered: L6 Diploma in Aviation – Airline Preparation, L6 Diploma in Aviation – Flight Instruction, L5 Training Scheme in Aviation – Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating and Modular Pilot Programme are some of the programmes offered at the school.
Eligibility Criteria To Enroll Into An Aviation Course
The basic requirements to get into top 10 pilot training institute in the world vary, depending on the type one intends to study. After class 10, students with a strong background in physics, math, and chemistry can pursue certificate programmes in aviation. Similarly, certain undergraduate programmes and diploma courses need PCM in class 12 with a minimum aggregate score of 55%.
Reasons To Get An Aviation Degree
A degree from one of the best pilot schools in the world comes with a slew of professional and personal privileges. The following are five frequent reasons why students choose to attend the top flight schools –
- Professional Advancement: Pilots are required to complete professional flying training. A degree is the most reliable route to a job in aviation.
- Specialised Skills: An aviation curriculum prepares you for a career as a pilot by teaching you the technical skills and expertise you’ll need. Students gain knowledge of aircraft operation, aviation legislation, and climatic parameters.
- Higher Salary Potential: A Bachelor’s degree in aviation provides advanced abilities that allow graduates to pursue a wider range of occupations with better pay prospects. More advanced degrees, on average, result in higher average salaries.
- Networking Opportunities: Many aviation programmes collaborate with major airlines and other businesses in the industry. Enrolling in the school can provide students with a bigger professional network and more job chances once they graduate.
- Licensure & Certification: Aviation programmes train students for a variety of licences and certifications that are necessary for pilot professions. Advanced certification might also help you get a better job.
Key Takeaways for Best Flight Schools in the World
- Top Schools: Purdue University Aviation College, University of North Dakota, Ohio State University Aviation College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Aviation, Western Michigan University Aviation College, CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, CTC Wings (Europe), Pan Am International Flying Academy, Singapore Flying College, and Ardmore Flying School.
- Eligibility criteria: Certain programmes require a strong background in physics, math and chemistry, while others demand specific educational qualifications.
- Tuition fees: The number varies by country and institution. The USA has an average fee of $104,995; UK has an average fee of £20,000 to £35,000 per year; Australian colleges charge an average fee of $60,000 to $80,000. For international students interested in aviation, there are also various aviation scholarships available to help alleviate the financial burden associated with pursuing education in this field.
- Types of aviation courses: Airline management, aircraft operations (flight), aeronautical sciences, airport planning/management, aviation safety, maintenance management, meteorology, pricing/ticketing, sales/marketing, air navigation, air traffic control, private plane flying, airline operations and ground operations.
FAQs
1. What factors should I consider when choosing a pilot school?
When choosing a pilot school, it’s important to consider factors such as location, quality of training, cost, type of training, type of certificate, and job placements.
2. What is the cheapest country to become a pilot?
The Philippines is often considered one of the cheapest countries to become a pilot due to its lower cost of living, affordable flight training programs, and the availability of English-language instruction. Other affordable countries include South Africa and India.
3. How long does it typically take to become a pilot?
The length of time it takes to become a pilot depends on the type of training and the particular student. Some colleges have expedited programmes that may be done in as little as 12 months, while others may take several years to complete.
4. How much does pilot training cost?
Pilot training costs vary based on the school and the type of instruction. Some colleges charge as low as $50,000, while others demand well over $200,000. When making a choice, it is critical to examine the costs of various schools as well as living expenses.
5. Is it possible to get a scholarship for a pilot school?
Yes, you can acquire a scholarship for a pilot school. Many institutions provide scholarships to aid in pilot training. Some scholarships are provided on the basis of financial need, while others are offered on the basis of academic or other achievements. It is worthwhile to look into various alternatives.
6. Which country offers the cheapest and best pilot schools in the world?
The Philippines offers the cheapest pilot training schools in the world. Aviation courses in the Philippines have average fees of INR 14,000 to INR 24,000.
7. What is the hardest part about pilot school?
Similar to the challenges faced by professional pilots, your training as a student pilot will be impacted by weather conditions and maintenance delays. It’s important to be prepared for numerous flight lessons being cancelled due to factors beyond your control. This is a reality you’ll need to become accustomed to as a student pilot.
Thank you for reading this blog on ‘10 Best Pilot Schools In The World’.
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