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.
Do you dream of taking to the skies, piloting your own aircraft? Or maybe you want to take your training to the next level and begin a career as a commercial pilot. No matter the flight training you’re looking for, there is a flight school near Boston waiting for you to accomplish your goal of becoming a pilot.
Check out these five choices for flight schools near Boston and the Eastern Massachusetts area to jump-start your aviation training today.
Quicklook: Flight Schools in Boston
- East Coast Aero Club
- Hanscom Aero Club
- Beverly Flight Center
- Eagle East Aviation
- Avier Flight
5 Flight Schools in Boston
Just a short drive from the City of Boston, these five flight schools are some of the best in the business and offer a variety of flight classes and pilot certifications.
East Coast Aero Club
The East Coast Aero Club is the largest flight school in New England and is located only 30 minutes outside Boston. Established in 1985, this flight school has grown to three locations, 45 aircraft, and even acquired a helicopter fleet.
Offering a wide variety of flight education programs and affordable prices, the East Coast Aero Club stands out among Boston flight schools.
Location: 200 Hanscom Dr, Bedford, MA 01730
Tuition & Fees: Tuition at the East Coast Aero Club is based on the program you are following. Below are all the programs they offer from no experience to instructor level.
Besides these costs, you must always hold a $100 balance in your Aero Club account.
- Private Pilot: $12,234-$15,398
- Instrument Rating: $8,322-$8,852
- Commercial Pilot: $6,208
- Multi Engine Rating: $5,045
- Certified Flight Instructor: $5,693-$6,968
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument: $3,898
- Multi Engine Instructor: $5,242.50
Financial Assistance: East Coast Aero Club does not offer reimbursement itself; however, they list several options on their website:
- AOPA
- Pilotfinance.com
- Lending Tree
- Aero Club of New England
- The Ninety-Nines
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Private Pilot: 55 hours
- Instrument Rating: 40 hours of instrument training plus a minimum of 50 hours as a pilot in command
- Commercial Pilot: 30 hours
- Requires a minimum of 250 recorded flight hours
- Must be completed before earning pilot title
- Multi-Engine Rating: 16 hours
- Certified Flight Instructor: 40-45 hours
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument: 21.5 hours
- Multi-Engine Instructor: 21.5 hours
Endorsements: East Coast Aero Club offers a complex endorsement.
Virtual Learning: For the commercial pilot license, you can obtain 50 hours in a flight simulator. Everything else is done in person.
Hanscom Aero Club
Hanscom Aero Club is another flight school conveniently located not far from Boston, MA, at Hanscom Air Force Base. This club offers top-of-the-line facilities and a variety of flight instructions.
Membership is restricted at Hanscom Aero Club to Active Duty, Reserve and retired military members and their dependents, DoD personnel, civil service employees, Hanscom Air Force Base contractor personnel, recipients of VA benefits, and Civil Air Patrol.
Location: 7 Robbins St, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731
Tuition & Fees:
- Membership: $30 per month
- Aircraft rental: $135-$160 per hour
- Instruction: $38 per hour
Financial Assistance: No
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Private Pilot:
- Minimum of 35 hours
- Average 50-70 hours
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot
- Certified Flight Instructor
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
Endorsements: None
Virtual Learning: No
Beverly Flight Center
Beverly Flight Center is the North Shore’s premier flight school. This flight center has 13 aircraft in its fleet and offers flight training from Student Pilot Certificate to Airline Transport Pilot. They even offer private scenic tours of the area from a birds-eye view.
Location: 191 Old Burley Street, Danvers, MA 01923
Tuition & Fees:
- Aircraft rental: $163-$339 per hour depending on aircraft
- Single engine instruction: $70 per hour
- Multi-engine instruction: $70 per hour
- Ground instruction: $70 per hour
- Simulator instruction: $70 per hour
- Cirrus Instruction: $105 per hour
- Private Pilot Ground School Package: $329
- Instrument Ground School Package: $329
Financial Assistance: No
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
Private Pilot License: Minimum 40 hours of flight time
- Instrument Rating:
- 40 hours of instrument training
- Minimum of 50 hours as pilot in command
- Commercial Pilot: 30 hours plus all prerequisites
- Multi-engine rating
- Flight Instructor
- Instrument Flight Instructor
- Multi-Engine flight instructor
- Airline Transport Pilot
Endorsements:
- Complex endorsement
- High-Performance endorsement
- Cirrus Transition
Virtual Learning: No
Eagle East Aviation
Opened in 1990, Eagle East Aviation offers a variety of flight training options at competitive prices. This family-owned flight school also specializes in hangar storage, aircraft maintenance, and fuel services. Best of all, they are located a 40-minute drive up I-93 from Boston in North Andover, MA.
Location: 492 Sutton St, North Andover, MA
Tuition & Fees:
- Ground Instruction: $65 per hour
- Flight Instruction: $65 per hour
- Aircraft Rental: $165/$230 per hour
- Instruction in Own Aircraft: $90 per hour
Financial Assistance: No
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Private Pilot:
- Minimum of 30 flight hours
- Written exam
- Instrument rating
- Commercial Pilot
- Flight Instructor CFI
- Flight Instructor Instrument CFII
Endorsements: Not available
Virtual Learning: Some resources are available online
Avier Flight
Avier Flight believes flying a plane is not that difficult; becoming a pilot is where the work is. Therefore, this flight school offers the best scenario-based training so you can learn to fly a plane safely, efficiently, and effectively. Their training programs also go all the way to commercial pilot.
Location: 47 LP Henderson Drive, Beverly, MA 01915
Tuition & Fees:
- Private Pilot license: $7,000-$9,000
- Aircraft Rental $118-$185 per hour
Financial Assistance: Financing options are available, and Avier will help you navigate flight school financing
Accreditation: Yes
Program Length:
- Private Pilot: Approximately 40 flight hours
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot
- Avier Air
Endorsements: None
Virtual Learning: No
How Does Flight School Training in Boston Work?
Anyone who wants to fly an aircraft needs a pilot’s license, commercial or otherwise. To take paying passengers, one needs a commercial pilot’s license. Commercial pilots can expect to earn six figures as airline pilots, captains, and aviation officers in the Boston area.
Boston Flight School Facts & Figures
These facts and figures can help you better understand the current climate of flight schools in the Boston area.
Number of Schools
According to Bestaviation.net, there are approximately 22 flight schools in the Boston area. However, there are none in Boston proper.
Number of Students Per Class
While it is difficult to pinpoint an exact number for Boston flight schools, you should look for flight schools with no more than five students per instructor.
Tuition Rates
Tuition rates vary per school. Some will have set prices for complete programs, while others offer hourly rates, which may or may not include aircraft rental. Total flight training costs are usually between $170 and $300 per hour, depending on the school and rented aircraft.
Average Loan Amount
Your loan amount will depend on your choice of flight school and your financial and personal situation.
Scholarship
As a general rule, flight schools in Boston do not advertise scholarships. However, if you wish to find out more, you can contact the flight school directly.
Job Placement
While flight schools in Boston do not directly offer job placement programs, they work loosely with airline companies. As you enter the community of pilots, your chances of finding a job will be higher.
Boston Pilot Employment Facts & Figures
As a Commercial Pilot in Boston, you can expect a good salary and plenty of job opportunities.
Employment
There are currently 48 openings for pilots in the Boston area on Indeed. Plus, the need for pilots in the United States is expected to grow 13% by 2030.
Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Full- or Part-Time Pilots |
American Airlines | $132,547 | Full-Time |
Republic Airlines | $72,050 | Full-Time |
Executive Jet Management | $140,850 | Full-Time |
JetBlue | $99,203 | Full-Time |
US Air Force | $121,000 | Full-Time |
Salary
The average salary for an airline pilot in Boston is between $99,000 and $141,550 annually. This would equate to $8,250-$11,800 monthly and $1,900-$2,720 weekly.
Become a Pilot in Boston Today!
With so many great flight schools and job opportunities, now is the perfect time to attend flight school in Boston.
For more insights and the latest information about aviation, subscribe to FLYING Magazine!
FAQ
How Do I Become a Pilot in Boston?
On your way to becoming a pilot in Boston, you will learn mainly by doing. A private pilots certificate will require a minimum of 40 hours of training and another 250 training hours to become a commercial pilot.
How Much is Flight School in Boston?
The cost of flight schools in Boston varies depending on the school and certification level you are after. Overall it costs between $5,000 and $7,000 for your private pilot's certificate.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pilot?
It takes two months to earn your private pilot's license, all the way to two years to become an airline pilot.
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!
Get the latest FLYING stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox