Flight Schools in Massachusetts

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.

It’s not unusual to run across a Massachusetts native who has a pilot license. They’re known to love the outdoors and any activities they can do when in nature are at the top of their list. That’s why some of the best flight schools are in Massachusetts. Whether they’re flying to an off-shore island for a mini-vacation or into the city for a fun night out, these pilots are highly trained and experienced. 

Quicklook: Flight Schools in Massachusetts 

• Bridgewater State University
• Blue Hill Helicopters
• Alpha One Flight Services
• Fly Lugu Flight School
• ATP Flight School

5 Flight Schools in Massachusetts

So, now that you know a few of the best flight schools in Massachusetts, let’s dive deeper and see what each one offers! 

Bridgewater State University

BSU not only is not only one of the best flight schools in Massachusetts, but it’s also the Northeastern United States’ only four-year degree program in aviation science. Whether you’re looking to have a domestic or international flying career, this school will make sure you see success. Their graduates go on to work with the FAA, Massachusetts Port Authority, and more. BSU ensures their graduates are qualified to handle any position in the aviation industry. 

Location: 1852 Shawmut Ave, New Bedford, MA 02745

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private Pilot: $11,460
• Commercial Pilot: $10,527
• Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On: $3,547
• Commercial Single Engine Add-On: $2,047
• CFI: $8,650
• Instrument: $11,670

Financial Assistance: 

• Federal Financial Aid
• Payment Plan
• Horace Mann Scholarship
• Merit Scholarships
• Grants
• VA Benefits
• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill
• Military Spouse Benefits

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: 4 years

Endorsements: 

• Private
• Commercial
• CFI
• CFII
• Instrument

School Size: 

• 11,294 people  
• 22 students per class

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: No

Blue Hill Helicopters 

This is the best flight school in Massachusetts for experienced helicopter training. Blue Hill Helicopters has been in business for over 13 years and their flight instructors are all FAA-certified. 

Location: 125 Access Rd, Norwood, MA 02062

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private Pilot: $26,200
• Commercial Pilot: $21,150
• Instrument Rating: $25,830
• CFI & CFII: Contact Blue Hill Helicopters for pricing

Financial Assistance: 

• Pay as you go payment plan

Accreditation: No

Program Length: 

• Private Pilot: Between 3 and 6 months
• Commercial Pilot: Between 4 and 8 weeks
• Instrument Rating: Between 4 and 8 weeks

Endorsements: 

• Private
• Commercial
• CFI
• CFII
• Instrument

School Size: 300-400; one-on-one flight training

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

Alpha One Flight Services

Alpha One instructors will train you in the latest and best flying techniques. There are maneuvers that require top proficiency before you’re ready to take your final flight test, and these are the instructors that will make sure you have them down packed. If you’re interested in aviation as a hobby, this is the perfect place to start. Most of the training is done in a Cessna, a safe and economical way to fly. 

Location: 246 S Meadow Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private: $7,575

Financial Assistance: 

• Pilot Finance, Inc.
• Pay-as-you-go plan

Accreditation: No

Program Length: Between 14 and 16 weeks

Endorsements: 

• Private

School Size: 

• Between 300 and 400 people 
• Between 10 and 15 per class
• One-on-one flight training

Job Placement: No

Virtual Learning: No

Fly Lugu Flight School and Flight Training

Fly Lugu is a leader in flight training offering unparalleled safety and quality standards. They pride themselves on their community which celebrates each pilot as they achieve a new milestone. Fly Lugu goes the extra mile to make sure each student receives the necessary training to embark on satisfying expeditions.

Location: 110 Airport Rd, #111, Westfield, MA 01085

Tuition & Fees: 

• Private: Between $8,815 and $13,745
• Commercial: $5,850
• Instrument: $10,090

Financial Assistance: 

• AOPA 
• Aviation scholarships

Accreditation: No

Program Length: 

• Private: 8 to 12 weeks
• Instrument: 4 to 6 weeks
• Commercial: 4 to 6 weeks

Endorsements: 

• Private 
• Instrument
• Commercial

School Size: 

• Between 250 and 300
• One-on-one training 

Job Placement: No

Virtual Learning: No

ATP Flight School

ATP is the largest flight school in the nation so of course, it has one of its highly-touted schools established in Massachusetts. ATP provides the fastest path around to becoming a pilot with their Fast Track program. If you’re looking for some of the best training at one of the best flight schools in Massachusetts, enroll at ATP.

Location: 125 Access Rd, Building #6, Norwood, MA 02062

Tuition & Fees: 

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

Financial Assistance: 

• Loans through Sallie Mae

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: 

• 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
• One-on-one flight instruction

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

How Does Flight School Training in Massachusetts Work?

Even though it’s a small state, if you’re looking for a flight school, Massachusetts has one flexible enough to work with your schedule. While you only have to be 16 years old to fly solo, to obtain a pilot’s license you must be 17 years of age. 

Once you pass the FAA medical examination and FAA written knowledge test, you’ll need to train for a minimum of 40 hours. But the average student needs between 60-70 hours to confidently complete training.  After meeting these minimum requirements, you have to pass an oral and flight exam given by an FAA examiner who will then give you your pilot’s certificate.

With a naval base in Hyannis, there are plenty of pilot positions available with the military. There are also a large number of private airports in Massachusetts in need of commercial pilots for their clients. On average, pilots earn $103,894, which is higher than the national average, so it’s not a bad place to start or finish your aviation career.

Massachusetts Flight School Facts & Figures

Flight school in Massachusetts can be costly, just as in any other part of the country. Here’s a breakdown of pertinent information to help you decide if attending pilot training in Massachusetts is worth it for you.

Number of Schools

There are just over 22 flight schools in Massachusetts. While they are spread out around the state, the greatest concentration of schools are in the Greater Boston area.

Number of Students per Class

The training is mostly done in a one-on-one setting. However, there are locations that offer ground training with a classroom average of 15-20 students.

Tuition Rates

To obtain a private pilot license from flight schools in Massachusetts, it’s going to cost you between $5,000 and $7,000. This is the most popular certification and often the license people refer to when they say they have a pilot’s license. A commercial license can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000, depending on your current certifications. 

Average Loan Amount

The average federal loan amount is $6,345 for flight schools in the area. There are a number of additional options to help pay 100% of the tuition and fees. Just reach out to the school in question and they will guide you toward making the best choice.

Scholarship

The average amount awarded in scholarships is $9,731 for Massachusetts students. 

Job Placement

Many of the flight schools in Massachusetts hire their students as instructors, or tour guides. While there are not a lot of job placement opportunities directly available in the area, Massachusetts is close to several larger metropolitan areas that can provide job stability.

Massachusetts Pilot Employment Facts & Figures

Below is some useful data regarding the salaries and companies in Massachusetts hiring pilots right now.

Employment 

There are around 40 listings online for pilot jobs in Massachusetts. The area is seeing a rising need for drone pilots to complete residential and commercial inspections.

Biggest Employer	Average Salary	Full- or Part-Time Pilots
Republic Airways	$108,099	Full-Time
U.S. Navy	$94,103	Both
Hyannis Air Service	$88,538	Full-Time
Cape Air	$79,782	Full-Time
Bees360	$48,000	Part-Time

Salary

• Yearly: $103,894
• Monthly: $8,657
• Weekly: $2,164

Get Your License Here and Fly Anywhere for a Job

Massachusetts flight schools offer some of the best instruction in the country, but compared to other locations in the U.S., the demand for pilots isn’t great. Luckily, the New York Metropolitan area is close with a high number of airlines looking to hire commercial pilots. 

If you’re feeling adventurous or want a change of scenery, states like Oregon, Alabama, and Florida need pilots, so go ahead and get your license in Massachusetts. The best part is you’ll then be able to fly anywhere and land the job you want.

To stay updated on the latest changes to rules and regulations in the aviation industry, as well as job opportunities in different areas, sign up for a subscription to FLYING Magazine today! 

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