Cost Calculator$67k
$67k
to become an airline pilot
Build your personalized budget. Toggle steps, pick your training route, and run the financing numbers — no guesswork.
Training Route
Affects required hours & tuition at approved schools
Certificates & Steps
Toggle each stage you plan to complete
1 hr · —
$150
— · 1st / 2nd Class
$150
60–75 hrs · PPL
$15,000
+40–50 hrs · IR
$10,000
250 hrs total · CPL
$25,000
+25 hrs · CFI / CFII
$8,000
1,500 hrs · ATP
$5,000
Additional Expenses
Often overlooked, but they add up
David Clark, Bose A20, or Lightspeed
$1,000
PPL, IR, CPL, ATP-CTP — $150 each
$600
Examiner fees across all certificates
$2,500
If relocating to train at an academy
$6,000
Cost Breakdown
Discovery Flight
$150 (0%)
FAA Medical Certificate
$150 (0%)
Private Pilot License (PPL)
$15,000 (22%)
Instrument Rating (IR)
$10,000 (15%)
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
$25,000 (37%)
Flight Instructor (CFI)
$8,000 (12%)
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
$5,000 (7%)
Aviation Headset
$1,000 (1%)
Written Exams (all)
$600 (1%)
Checkride Fees
$2,500 (4%)
Estimated total cost
$67,400
Part 61 flexible pace
If financed 48 mo @ 8% APR: $1,645/mo
10 of 11 items
Financing
Assumes 8% APR aviation loan
Loan term48 months
12 mo84 mo
Principal$67,400
Monthly payment$1,645
Total paid$78,981
Interest+$11,581
Good to know
- Most pilots earn back a large portion of their training costs by flight instructing at $35–70k/yr while building hours.
- Airline signing bonuses of $10–75k are now common for new-hire regional FOs.
- The GI Bill covers 60–100% of Part 141 training for eligible veterans.
- Several majors run cadet pipeline programs that reimburse training in exchange for an interview commitment.
Ready to start?
Your path to the airlines starts here.
You now know what it costs. The next step is a plan — and the first flight that makes all of it real.
No account required · Training costs are estimates · Not financial advice