Flight School Options in Atlanta

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.

While many areas have universities offering some of the best flight schools, here in Atlanta, we’re fortunate to have local, professional flight schools that continue to offer an unmatched education in aviation. 

The long list of accredited flight schools in Atlanta definitely won’t make your decision easy, but you’re not left to make this decision alone. Read on to learn about 5 of the best flight schools in Atlanta and learn about what they can offer for your future career in flying. 

Quicklook: Flight Schools in Atlanta

• Centennial Aviation Academy 
• ATP Flight School
• All2Fly Aviation Academy
• Aero Atlanta Flight Center
• American Air Flight Training

5 Flight School Options in Atlanta

There is certainly no shortage of flight schools in Atlanta, so how do you know you’re enrolling in the best one for you? Consider your requirements and let your aviation dreams take off! 

Centennial Aviation Academy 

Centennial Aviation Academy continues to deliver high quality training programs for flight students of all experience levels. With customized programs available, you can truly get the flight education you need and often in the timeframe you’re hoping for. 

Centennial takes a quality over quantity approach and they aim to have no more than 100 flight students enrolled at a time, this helps them ensure they deliver each flight student the thorough training they require and deserve. 

Location: 1980 5th Street Atlanta, GA 30341

Tuition & Fees: The average cost to complete all programs and earn your commercial pilot’s license is $53,626

Financial Assistance: No

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: Starting from scratch and working to earn your commercial pilot’s license will likely take 12-16 months with CAA. This is based on completing an average of 3 training sessions each week in that timeframe. Their program can be modified. 

Endorsements: None

School Size: Currently 93 flight students

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

ATP Flight School 

Have you been stressing over the cost of flight school? ATP Flight School is one of Atlanta’s leading options and they keep your stresses at bay with full financing options available. 

Since 1984, they have helped more than 20,000 pilots succeed in their flight careers and with an exceptional job placement program, they’ll help you find your ideal position as a pilot. Professionalism and safety help to keep ATP at the top of the list, for a flight program done right, ATP is your go-to flight school in Atlanta. 

Location: 1954 Airport Road Suite 160 Chamblee, GA 30341

Tuition & Fees: $83,995

Financial Assistance: Yes, Sallie Mae loans available for ATP flight students.  

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: With zero experience, this fast track program can be completed in 7 months 

Endorsements: None

School Size: Nationwide they have 1,500 flight students 

Job Placement: Yes – they have helped place 604 students in the last 18 months 

Virtual Learning: Yes

All2Fly Aviation Academy 

Learning to fly for hire versus recreationally are vastly different and ensuring you’re enrolled in a flight school that can handle your goals appropriately is key. 

All2Fly Aviation Academy has worked hard to be at the top of the list for reputable flight schools in Atlanta. They offer everything you need to get where you want in your aviation career and their instructors have the care and drive to keep it fun along the way. 

Location: 1954 Airport Road #205 Atlanta, GA 30341 

Tuition & Fees: Motivated flight students can typically obtain their commercial license for less than $40,000 with All2Fly. 

Financial Assistance: Financing is available for those who qualify

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: With zero experience, determined flight students can complete all programs for a commercial license in 6 months or less. 

Endorsements: None

School Size: Currently 70 – 80 flight students enrolled 

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

Aero Atlanta Flight Center 

Dreaming of making money as a pilot? Then look to Aero Atlanta Flight Center for your flight training needs! Training safe and confident pilots is what our instructors are here for and they aim to help you get the most from your investment in flight school. 

With first-class training facilities, we’re sure you’ll appreciate your education and experience at Aero Atlanta. 

Location: 1954 Airport Road Atlanta, GA 30341

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private Pilot License – Estimated Cost $20,469 – $31, 719
• Instrument Rating – Estimated Cost $16,304 – $23,279
• Commercial PIlot License – Estimated Cost $8,075 – 13,050

Additional certification and other fees apply. 

Financial Assistance: No

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: A minimum of 250 flight hours are required to obtain a commercial pilot certificate as well as other requirements. The program length varies on each student’s schedule and ability to complete the necessary training and flights. 

Endorsements: None

School Size: Currently has around 40 flight students 

Job Placement: No

Virtual Learning: No 

American Air Flight Training 

American Air Flight Training aims to set only the highest standards for all flight schools in Atlanta. Simply meeting the standards isn’t quite enough, when you train with AAFT, you will learn to go above the basics so you can truly excel as a pilot. 

AAFT has modern, well maintained aircraft and training facilities to ensure your education is completed with the finest aircraft and instruments around. 

Location: 2000 Airport Road Suite 109 Atlanta, GA 30341

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private Pilot Ground Course – Estimated cost $23,400, books and materials not included
• Instrument Pilot Ground Course – Estimated cost $19,000, books and materials not included
• Commercial Pilot Ground Course – Estimated cost $19,500, books and materials not included 

**Flight training costs are not included in above cost estimates. 

Financial Assistance: No

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: Length of programs varies on weekly trainings and sessions

Endorsements: None

School Size: Number of flight students varies 

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

How Does Flight School Training in Atlanta Work?

The average salary for pilots in Atlanta is $155,912. With the right flight school and determination, you could be earning this within a few years! Whether flight school is of interest to you for your future career or hobbies, there is no doubt that your ideal flight school in Atlanta is just a call or click away. 

Start off with your private license and let the best flight school with the appropriate programs take you further. 

Atlanta Flight School Facts & Figures

Personal aviation education is available for all who are motivated to work for it. Atlanta flight schools continue to produce safe and confident pilots who can often go on to get any job they are aiming for.  

Number of Schools

Atlanta boasts an impressive nearly 50 flight schools including its surrounding areas. 

With several colleges offering aviation programs as well as a plethora of outstanding, trusted local flight schools, there is no doubt the best flight school for you is out there. 

Number of Students per Class

Many of the best flight schools in Atlanta believe in providing the best education possible for all their pilots. This is why many flight schools limit the number of students they have enrolled at one time. 

The number of students in your flight class may vary, but flight instruction and other programs will remain one on one with your instructor. 

Tuition Rates

Tuition rates for flight schools in Atlanta vary greatly and that’s mainly due to the differing programs that are offered. 

Pilots looking to obtain a private pilot license or certificate will likely be looking to spend $5,000 – $10,000, while a student looking for a career in commercial aviation will be looking at a cost more like $50,000 – $85,000. 

Average Loan Amount

The average loan amounts for flight school differs greatly. Sallie Mae continues to be a great resource for flight students, but certain flight schools also offer other payment plans and sources of funding. 

Your eligibility and requirements will help determine your financial aid. 

Scholarship

Smaller, professional flight schools don’t always have scholarship programs available. Contact your local flight school for more scholarship information. 

Job Placement

Many of the top flight schools in Atlanta continue to help place their flight school graduates. 

Not all flight schools have job placement programs in place, but the majority do have some type of job placement to help ensure you can be on the right career path once you’ve completed your education. 

Atlanta Pilot Employment Facts & Figures

Atlanta continues to be a hot region for pilots of all kinds. With more and more pilots coming to retirement, there is a constant need for pilots and the best flight school in Atlanta can help place you in an ideal career! 

Employment 

In 2020, the Atlanta area had 730 commercial pilots as well as an additional 4,090 airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. Airline pilots in Atlanta have an average annual salary of $155,912. 

Biggest Employer	Average Salary	Full or Part Time Pilots across the US
U.S. Navy	$153,614	469,062
US Dept. of Transportation	$143,384	55,000
SkyWest Airlines	$139,378	12,502
American Airlines	$131,941	15,550
Federal Aviation Administration	$126,697	48,000

Salary

The average annual salary for an airline pilot in Atlanta is $155,912. This comes out to a monthly salary of $12,992 and an average weekly salary of $3,248.

Begin Your Journey to Your Aviation Career Today! 

Finding the right flight school is a crucial decision to help land you in the right aviation career. Your education and timeline requirements are just a few factors that come into play, but don’t fret, we’ve put together a few of the best flight schools in Atlanta for you! 
FLYING Magazine has all the information you need to choose a flight school, find financial assistance, and much more when you’re looking to further your education or career in aviation.

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