Flight Schools in Georgia

Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

Georgia is experiencing a shortage of pilots causing many airlines to cut and reschedule flights. As you can imagine, the disruption to business has led to a desperate search for qualified pilots to fill the empty cockpits; and there are many. 

To give you an idea of how big the industry is in the area, more than 800 aerospace companies call Georgia home. This article will take a look at the flight schools in Georgia as well as the companies hiring pilots.

Quicklook: Flight Schools in Georgia 

• ATP Flight School
• Liberty University School of Aeronautics
• Middle Georgia State University
• Aero Atlanta Flight Center
• Skybound Aviation

5 Flight Schools in Georgia

Here is a list of a few of the best flight schools in Georgia that will help experienced and inexperienced aviators complete the training needed to obtain a pilot’s license. Interested in comparing flight schools across the country? Check out FLYING’s Flight School Guide.

ATP Flight School

This school offers some of the most comprehensive pilot training for anyone trying to decide between flight schools in Georgia. As the nation’s largest flight school, ATP provides a streamlined path to embarking on a successful airline pilot career. 

The instructors’ high level of quality training and professionalism have been consistently recognized by AOPA as well as the National Association of Flight Instructors. With thirty-three airline hiring partnerships, not only will they help you find employment, but tuition reimbursement is also part of the deal.   

Location: 738 Briscoe Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Tuition & Fees: 

• Airline Career Pilot Program: Between $87,995 and $98,995
• FAA Examiners’ Fees & Knowledge Test: $9,200
• Third Party Apps: $205
• Housing: $8,400
• Training Materials: $1,600

Financial Assistance: 

• Sallie Mae Loan

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: 

• Airline Career Pilot Program: 7 months 

Endorsements: 

• Private Pilot
• Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
• Instrument
• Commercial
• Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Multi Engine Instructor (MEI)
• Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)

School Size: 

• 800-1,000
• One-on-one instruction

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

Liberty University School of Aeronautics  

This is one of the few pilot schools in Georgia that allows you to complete 100% off your academic training online. They affiliate with over 88-eight hands-on training facilities nationwide for your convenience as you earn your license. Liberty University also offers a number of financial aid programs to keep high-quality aeronautics training affordable and attainable. 

Location: online

Tuition & Fees: 

• Bachelor of Science in Aviation: Between $22,500 and $46,800 
• B.S. in Aviation and Hands-On Flight Training: Between $92,500 and $116,800 

Financial Assistance: 

• Federal financial aid, loans, grants, and aviation scholarships
• GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon
• Tuition discounts:
  • Military service members and spouses
  • First responders
  • Other corporate partners

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: 

• Bachelor of Science in Aviation: 3.5 years
• Bachelor of Science in Aviation and Hands-On Flight Training: 3.5 years

Endorsements: 

• CFI
• CFII
• ATP
• MEI
• Multi-Engine 

School Size: 

• 3,600 students
• One-on-one training

Job Placement: No

Virtual Learning: Yes

Middle Georgia State University

This is the only flight school in Georgia to offer a four-year collegiate aviation program. Their graduates move forward into their aviation careers confident in the skills obtained through training. There are a large number of aerospace industries that call Georgia home, and Middle Georgia State’s aviation program has earned them a top job placement rate among the area’s schools. 

Location: 100 University Parkway, Macon, GA 31206

Tuition & Fees: The program costs state residents approximately $13,000 to $14,000 per year. Out-of-state residents can expect to pay closer to $48,000 per year. 

• FAA Instrument Rating: $500
• FAA Private Pilot: $500
• FAA Commercial Pilot: $500
• Flight Instructor Single Engine: $500
• Flight Instructor Multi-Engine: $500

Financial Assistance: 

• Federal financial aid
• Aviation scholarships
• Georgia HOPE
• Grants
• Student loans
• Work-Study Program

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: 

Commercial Pilot Course: 4 years

Endorsements: 

• Commercial Pilot
• CFI
• MEI
• Instrument 
• Private Pilot 

School Size: 

• 8,000
• 10-15 per class
• One-on-one hands-on training

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

Aero Atlanta Flight Center

Aero Atlanta has an extensive fleet of aircraft and was the first flight school in the world that offered access to the Cirrus Vision Jet, which is the world’s first personal jet. As one of the fastest-growing Platinum Cirrus Training Centers nationwide, their mission is to train confident pilots capable of operating high-performance and technically advanced aircraft. They are quickly becoming one of the most popular flight schools in Georgia.

Location: 

• 1954 Airport Road, Atlanta, GA 30341 
• 2600 Cirrus Way, NW Kennesaw, GA 30144 

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private Pilot: Between $20,469 and $31,719
• Instrument Rating: Between $16,304 and $23,279
• Commercial Pilot: Between $8,075 and $13,050
• FAA Practical Test: $600
• FAA Written Exam: $160
• FAA Medical Exam: $90
• FAA Charts: $50
• Admin and Processing Fees: $70
• Annual Club Dues: $300
• Zero-Deductible Insurance: $500
• iPad 4: $529

Financial Assistance: No

Accreditation: No

Program Length: 

• Private Pilot: 4-6 weeks
• Instrument Rating: 4-6 weeks
• Commercial Pilot: 8-12 weeks

Endorsements: 

• Private Pilot
• Instrument 
• Commercial
• MEI

School Size: 

• 500-600
• One-on-one flight training

Job Placement: No

Virtual Learning: Yes

Skybound Aviation

This pilot school in Georgia offers a variety of packages to help you fulfill your dreams of flying. Skybound made AOPA’s Honor Roll of Excellence in 2018 and has been recognized as one of the top flight schools in Georgia ever since. They’re well known in the area for their reasonable pricing and dedicated training of pilots. 

Location: 2000 Airport Road, Suite 125, Atlanta, GA 30341 

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private Pilot License
  • License: $11,522
  • Additional fees: Between $1,500 and $2,000
• Instrument Rated Pilot Certificate
  • Certificate: $10,740
  • Additional fees: Between $800 and $1,500
• Commercial Pilot Certificate
  • Certificate: $6,400
  • Additional fees: Between $800 and $1,200
• Certified Flight Instructor Certificate: $6,900
• Multi-Engine Certificate
  • Certificate: $7,100
  • Additional fees: $2,500
• Tailwheel Endorsement: $3,000

Financial Assistance: 

• Scholarships are available with the following aviation groups:
  • AOPA
  • Women in Aviation International
  • NBAA
  • The Wolf Aviation Fund
  • FAA
  • The Ninety-Nines, Inc.
  • Young Eagles
• Financial aid is available from two sources:
  • Pilot Finance, Inc.
  • AOPA

Accreditation: No

Program Length: 

• Private Pilot: 4-6 weeks
• Instrument: 4-6 weeks
• Commercial: 3-4 weeks 
• CFI & CFII: 8-12 weeks
• Tailwheel: 2-3 weeks

Endorsements: 

• Private Pilot
• Instrument 
• Commercial
• CFI
• CFII
• Tailwheel

School Size: 350 to 400

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: No

How Does Flight School Training in Georgia Work?

Simply put, a pilot’s license permits you to fly an aircraft. Depending on the category and rating a pilot possesses, there are specific rules and restrictions that must be followed. 

In Georgia, you must be at least 17 years old to receive a pilot’s license, with a high-school diploma or GED. You must be well-versed in English also since it is the international language of aviation.

There is a high demand for pilots and pilot instructors since the COVID-19 shutdown ended. Georgia is home to many aerospace industries and airline companies that are looking to hire well-trained pilots to fill roles in the commercial and military spaces. 

Airfreight companies need to transport goods, and medical establishments need pilots to operate their aircraft to facilitate care for injured or critically ill patients. Pilot schools in Georgia with job placement programs have seen an increase in placements over the past year, and expect the demand to continue growing as older pilots continue to retire. 

It’s not a bad gig considering most pilots earn an average of $71,000 per year.

Georgia Flight School Facts & Figures

With all of the different pilot schools in Georgia, it’s a good idea to get a sense of just what to expect when enrolling in classes. Here are a few stats that will help you decide if attending flight school in Georgia is the right move for you.

Number of Schools

There are currently over 48 flight schools in Georgia, with most of them concentrated in the Metro Atlanta area. 

Number of Students per Class

Flight instruction is done one-on-one and according to your schedule, so most of your time will not be spent in a typical classroom setting. However, for the ground or academic training, there are about 10 to 15 students per classroom. 

Tuition Rates

Tuition rates vary depending on the type of pilot school in Georgia you attend. Colleges with aviation programs also include non-aviation classes so you can receive your Bachelor’s degree. These costs range between $13,000 and $48,000 per year. If you attend a flight school with no other academic offerings, costs will average between $20,000 and $31,000 per year. 

Average Loan Amount

Most loans cover 100% of the costs to attend pilot schools in Georgia. So, if the school you choose has a tuition of $13,000 or $40,000 per school year, you’ll likely find a lender to cover the full amount.

Scholarship

On average, most students receive a scholarship of between $5,000 and $10,000.

Job Placement

Job placement for flight schools in Georgia is on the rise. ATP Flight School found jobs for 905 students in the past twelve months. The Atlanta area has one of the busiest airports in the nation, but not enough pilots to keep it running smoothly. Airlines are quickly hiring recent graduates with the required endorsements and flight time.  

Georgia Pilot Employment Facts & Figures

Pilots have the potential to earn a considerable salary. This is especially true in Georgia where there is a high demand for commercial aviators. 

Employment 

There are currently over 50 pilot openings in the state of Georgia. Here are a few of the biggest employers looking to hire immediately.

Biggest Employer	Average Salary	Full- or Part-Time Pilots
Delta Airlines	$194,622	Full-Time
United Airlines	$160,708	Full-Time
U.S. Department of Transportation	$125,103	Both
U.S Navy	$117,290	Full-Time
Air Methods	$79,796	Full-Time

Salary

• Yearly: $87,940
• Monthly: $7,328
• Weekly: $1,832

It Pays To Be a Pilot in the Peach State

Back in December, Delta had to cut flights in Georgia due to pilot shortages caused by the pandemic. Holiday travel was disrupted for many and other airlines were also affected. 

That means there is a huge opportunity waiting in Georgia for anyone dreaming of becoming a pilot. It’s predicted that the airlines will need to fill between 1,000 and 1,500 pilot positions, so now is the time to either start or finish the certifications that will get you off of the ground! 
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