Flight Schools in Georgia

As home to one of the world's busiest commercial airports in Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International (KATL), Georgia seems like an ideal setting for flight training. 

The diverse landscapes, impressive aviation history, and vibrant culture have attracted more than 800 aerospace companies, making the Peach State an enticing spot to begin a career in flying. 

While there are many good programs in Georgia to choose from, we’ve highlighted five schools for their variety of offerings to meet the different objectives of aspiring pilots.

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 the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) as well as the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). With 33 airline hiring partnerships, not only will ATP help you find employment, but tuition reimbursement is also part of the deal.   

Location: 738 Briscoe Blvd., Lawrenceville

Tuition and fees: 

Financial assistance: Sallie Mae Loan

Accreditation: Yes

Program length: Airline career pilot program is seven months. 

Endorsements: 

School size: 800-1,000

Job placement: Yes

Virtual learning: Yes

This is one of the few pilot schools available to Georgians that allows you to complete 100 percent of your academic training online. It is affiliated with more than 88 hands-on training facilities nationwide for your convenience as you earn your license. Liberty University also offers many financial aid programs to keep high-quality aeronautics training affordable and attainable. 

Location: Online

Tuition and fees: 

Financial assistance: 

Accreditation: Yes

Program length: 

Endorsements: 

School size: 15,800 on campus

Job placement: No

Virtual learning: Yes

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

Location: 100 University Parkway, Macon

Tuition and 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. 

Financial assistance: 

Accreditation: Yes

Program length: 4 years for commercial pilot course

Endorsements: 

School size: 8,000

Job placement: Yes

Virtual learning: Yes

Aero Atlanta has an extensive fleet of aircraft and was the first flight school in the world to offer 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, its mission is to train confident pilots capable of operating high-performance and technically advanced aircraft. Aero Atlanta is quickly becoming one of the most popular flight schools in Georgia.

Location: 

Tuition and fees: 

Financial assistance: No

Accreditation: No

Program length: 

Endorsements: 

School size: 500-600

Job placement: No

Virtual learning: Yes

This pilot school 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. It is well known in the area for reasonable pricing and dedicated training of pilots. 

Location: 2000 Airport Rd., Suite 125, Atlanta 

Tuition and fees: 

Financial assistance: 

Accreditation: No

Program length: 

Endorsements: 

School size: 350 to 400

Job placement: Yes

Virtual learning: No

Simply put, a pilot 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 Private Pilot License. A high school diploma or GED also is required. You must be well-versed in English because 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 hirings 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 a median wage of $113,080 per year.

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.

There are more than 48 flight schools in Georgia, with most of them concentrated in the  Greater Atlanta area. 

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 vary depending on the type of pilot school in Georgia you attend. Colleges with aviation programs also include nonaviation classes so you can receive your bachelor’s degree. These costs generally start around $13,000 per year but can extend beyond $50,000. If you attend a flight school with no other academic offerings, costs will be based entirely on how many hours you fly, in what kind of aircraft, and for what hourly instructor rates. 

Most loans cover 100 percent of the costs of attending 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 be able to find a lender to cover the full amount.

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

Job placement for flight schools in Georgia is on the rise. ATP Flight School has partnerships with 38 airlines, helping provide options for students ready for the next step. The Atlanta metro area boasts 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.  

Or try an online ground school like Pilot Institute. From Private Pilot to Part 107 drone license course, it has helped thousands of students reach their aviation goals. Pilot Institute is so confident you’ll pass the first time around, it will give you a check for $175 and refund your course tuition if you don’t.

How much does flight school cost in Georgia?

Costs vary significantly depending on what type of flight school students attend. Those planning on a career in aviation who attend smaller flight schools might expect to pay $60,000 to $70,000, while training larger schools or with major universities might expect total costs in the low six figures.

Will airlines pay for flight school?

While airlines do not directly pay for flight school, many offer stipends or signing bonuses that can help offset the cost of flight school. Larger schools and universities often have partnerships with airlines to make these options available to their students.

How long does it take to get a pilot's license in Georgia?

Student pilots can expect to spend anywhere from a couple of months for a private pilot license, to a couple of years for a full career-oriented program. Training timelines depend heavily on how consistently a student is able to train.

Does Georgia have a flight program?

The state offers many top-notch flight schools. These include smaller Part 61 schools, large Part 141 schools, and dedicated university flight programs.