Flight School Options in New Jersey

While there are many good programs in the Garden State from which to choose, we highlighted five for their variety of offerings to meet the different objectives of aspiring pilots. When you’re ready to start flying, begin with these highly reviewed pilot schools in New Jersey.

As an accredited flight school with flexible Part 61 training, Air-Mods Flight Academy is a standout choice for any aspiring pilot. Whether the end goal is to fly as a hobbyist or professional, Air-Mods offers training from private pilot through flight instructor.

Location: Trenton-Robbinsville Airport (N87), Robbinsville

Tuition and fees: Training and rental costs are not posted publicly, so it’s best to contact the school directly for pricing information. Air-Mods presently has a bundle of three flight lessons available through Groupon for $430. This price is indicated to be a 56 percent discount from the normal price of $968.

Financial assistance: No.

Accreditation: Yes. Air-Mods is accredited by the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA).

Program length: It varies based on the student’s schedule and progress. As a Part 61 flight school, Air-Mods offers flexible training plans tailored to individual needs. Training is available seven days a week.

Training offered: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Fleet: Piper Warrior, Piper Archer, Piper Seminole

Job placement: Air-Mods partners with Piedmont and Republic Airways.

Virtual learning: While Air-Mods does not offer virtual learning, online ground school can be completed through programs such as Pilot Institute.

Near the capital city of Trenton, Infinity Flight Group stands out as one of New Jersey’s top flight schools. Multiple professional pilot programs offered include the American Airlines Cadet Academy and an accredited Aviation Degree Program with Mercer County Community College (MCCC). 

Location: Trenton-Mercer Airport (KTTN), Ewing Township

Tuition and fees: Prices vary with the different program options and are subject to change. For the 2024-25 school year, MCCC quotes a total program cost of $97,221. The AA Cadet Academy estimates its students will spend $99,395 at this location.

Financial assistance: Financing is available through Sallie Mae. Students enrolled in the community college program may have access to additional funding and scholarship opportunities.

Accreditation: Infinity Flight Group has a partnership with Mercer County Community College, which offers a two-year professional pilot program. This program is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).

Program length: Completion timelines range from nine to 24 months, depending on the program.

Training offered: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Fleet: Cessna 172, Piper Seminole.

Job placement: Yes. The AA Cadet Academy program offers job placement with wholly owned subsidiaries of American Airlines including Envoy, Piedmont, and PSA.

Virtual learning: Some aviation classes are available online through the MCCC degree program.

As one of only three Cessna Pilot Centers in the state, Air Fleet Training Systems is a reputable school for flight training at all levels.

Location: Essex County Airport (KCDW) in Fairfield

Tuition and fees: Specific training costs are not publicly listed. Contact the school directly for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Financial assistance: No.

Accreditation: No.

Program length: Training timeline depends on the progress and availability of the student. Both Part 61 and 141 programs are offered with flexible scheduling.

Training offered: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

Fleet: Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Piper Seminole

Job placement: No.

Virtual learning: Online ground school can be completed through programs such as Gold Seal.

For flexible and affordable flight lessons in New Jersey, Somerset Air Service is a well-established school offering training at all levels. 

Location: Somerset Airport (KSMQ) in Bedminster

Tuition and fees: Aircraft rentals range from $130 to $190 per hour. Primary instruction runs at an hourly rate of $65, and advanced instruction is $75 per hour. Ground school classes are offered weekly in person for $75 per two-hour class. Total program costs vary depending on the individual student’s progress.

Financial assistance: No.

Accreditation: No.

Program length: Training timeline depends on the individual student’s goals, progress, and availability. Lessons can be scheduled any day of the week.

Training offered: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Fleet: Piper Cherokee, Piper Archer, Piper Arrow

Job placement: No.

Virtual learning: Yes. Online ground instruction is offered via Zoom at a rate of $50 per hour.

Just outside of Philadelphia, FreeFlight Aviation is a community-oriented flight school. The friendly flying club environment pairs perfectly with flexible training from PPL through ATP.

Location: Flying W Airport (N14), Medford

Tuition and fees: Pricing is not specified online. Contact FreeFlight for training costs.

Financial assistance: Yes. Financing is available.

Accreditation: FreeFlight is not an accredited school, but it has partnerships with degree programs at Embry-Riddle University and Thomas Edison State University.

Program length: Training timeline depends on the individual student’s progress and goals. Lessons can be scheduled seven days a week.

Training offered: Recreational Pilot, Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

Fleet: Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Diamond DA20, Diamond DA40, Piper Warrior, Piper Archer

Job placement: No.

Virtual learning: Yes. Online ground school is available for students working toward their private pilot certificate. The full course costs $359 or $30 per class.

When weighing the options of where to go for your flight training, don’t rush the decision. It’s a big commitment, both in finances and time. Ensuring the school you choose is the right fit will make all the difference in your training experience.

Consider these factors before committing to a training program.

How much time can you devote to flight training? If you’re ready to go full time, look for a school that has a pilot career track or offers Part 141 training. Part 141 refers to a subset of aviation rules that allow for a pilot to complete training in fewer hours. Training under these rules can often be completed faster than other methods but usually requires the student’s full availability.

If you’d rather fly part time, look for a school that can accommodate your schedule. Asking about training expectations up front will make it clear early on whether that school is right for you.

Are you willing to have a long commute for the right school? Are you willing to move to a different city or state? The right flight school  may not be the one that’s in your neighborhood. The more flexible you can be, the better your chances of finding the right training program. 

Once you start training, you’ll likely be going to that airport multiple times per week. Consider the traffic flow at the times you’ll be traveling to and from lessons. If the location is somewhere you’re willing and able to commute to regularly, you’ll have a much smoother training experience overall.

A flight school is only as good as its resources and systems. When touring flight schools, ask about its fleet, instructor availability, maintenance, and scheduling. 

A good school doesn’t need a huge fleet, but does it have the people and processes in place to keep existing aircraft flying? If your regular instructor gets sick or goes on vacation, will another one be available? If there’s a problem with an aircraft found during preflight, how fast does maintenance get out there to fix it?

While you should take time to make this decision, at some point you’ll need to act. When you’ve done your due diligence and vetted some flight schools, pick one and get started. The only way to reach your flying goals is to, well, fly!

FAQ

How much does it cost to get a pilot’s license in New Jersey?

The average cost to get a private pilot license in New Jersey ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. The total cost of flight training depends on the student’s individual progress and goals.

How to become a pilot in New Jersey?

The best way to become a pilot is to contact flight schools near you and ask about tours and discovery flights. Taking a discovery flight is a great way to get a feel for the school and make sure flying is a good fit for you.

Will an airline pay for flight school?

Most airlines do not cover the cost of pilot training. Some offer scholarships or partial tuition reimbursement for cadets  committed long term to an airline.

Why is flight school so expensive?

Flight school is expensive because of the many costs associated with operating an aircraft. Pilots are required to log specific amounts of flight time, and flying all of those hours makes costs add up quickly.