How to Choose the Best Flight School - Piper Seminole

Top Questions to Ask a Flight School How to Choose the Best Flight School for You?

As you research your pilot training options, consider the following questions and ask other schools for their answers. Get the facts and you’ll soon see why so many professional pilots choose ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program to meet their airline career goals on time, on budget, and with access to more aircraft, locations, and job placements than any flight school, academy, or aviation university can offer.

Questions you should consider when comparing flight schools:

Scroll down for more top questions and learn how ATP stacks up to the competition…

What resources are available to me to assist with career planning and placement?

ATP has formal hiring agreements with 38 leading regional airlines – more than any other flight school. Access pilot job opportunities through a dedicated staff of placement specialists and join a network of thousands of ATP alumni that will pay dividends during your career.

ATP's Airline Hiring Partners »

What kind of tuition reimbursement do you offer?

Only ATP provides you access to airline tuition reimbursement, which is actual financial assistance that directly affects your loan payment and increases your effective first year airline salary. In addition, ATP has established various airline financial assistance and career advancement opportunities through partnerships with major and regional airlines.

Airline Sponsored Pilot Training »

Are your airplanes owned or leased?

All of ATP’s aircraft are owned, not leased, providing you with security in your flight training investment. Unlike ATP, most FBOs operate using leaseback aircraft, where a private aircraft owner makes their plane available to a school to rent. As a consequence, aircraft availability is limited, the school has little to no fixed assets, and you often will pay more per flight hour.

ATP's Aircraft and Simulator Fleet »

How many airplanes do you have? Are backups available to me if one breaks?

With the world’s largest training fleet, ATP owns over 611 aircraft nationwide, ensuring you are never without an aircraft during your training schedule. Over 50% of ATP’s fleet is less than 5 years old, making it one of the youngest fleets that continues to grow younger with deliveries of factory-new Piper Archers throughout 2022.

Is maintenance in-house (full-time maintenance employees)?

ATP operates 27 maintenance centers nationwide, which handle routine maintenance and scheduled inspections on ATP’s entire fleet. An on-site inventory of engines, propellers, avionics, and other components means that no ATP airplane ever waits for a part. Contract line maintenance is at every training center when ATP does not have its own full-time maintenance staff.

ATP's Maintenance Locations »

Do you require payment for the entire cost of training upfront?

ATP follows a progress-based payment schedule whether you pay cash or use a student loan. This saves accrued interest expense and assures that ATP does not hold excessive funds on account.

How much will housing cost me?

During your program, ATP offers you discounted furnished housing with no lease obligation.

What if I decide to quit during my training, how much will I get back?

At ATP you reserve the right to terminate your training at any time, making you eligible for a pro-rated refund which will be issued within 15 days following program termination. ATP’s refund policy quickly accommodates students who elect to discontinue the program for any reason.

What kind of full financing do you offer?

Unlike other flight schools who are unable to offer full financing for career training, Sallie Mae offers its lowest-rate undergraduate student loan products to ATP students, thanks to the strong track record of ATP-trained professional pilots. ATP is the only flight school that can get you access to this competitive loan product, which can cover the entire cost of training for qualified borrowers. In most cases, advantages include: full financing for qualified borrowers, cosigner release option, six month post-school grace period, and ability to postpone loan payments in six month increments, up to a maximum of 24 months after completing educational component of training while pursuing required flight training hours.

Full Financing Available »

Fine print with quoted price?

ATP provides upfront, fixed-cost pricing in a way that differentiates us from most other flight schools and academies. ATP never quotes prices based on unrealistic minimum flight time requirements or stipulations requiring full upfront payment, and guarantees the fixed-cost quoted to you at the time of scheduling.

Fixed-Cost Pricing Details »

Contact Admissions Today »

The Life of a Student PilotWhat is Flight Training at ATP Like?

Each day in ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program, you will participate in a variety of guided independent study, flight lessons, simulator training, individual ground lessons, and group ground lessons. Learn more about what a typical flight training schedule at ATP looks like.

Training to Become a Pilot at ATP Flight School
Sisters Emily and Lexie Become Airline Pilots Together

Request More Information »

Take Your First Flight at ATP

An Admissions Flight is a great way to discover the level of professional flight training ATP provides and will give you further insight on what to expect during your future program.

No-Obligation or Experience Required.

Book Your Flight Online Today! »

78 Nationwide Locations

ATP brings high quality, accelerated flight training to more pilots in more locations than any other flight school.

Find a Location Near You »

It’s easy to get started! Get Started Right Now With an Online Training Module!

An Admissions Flight is a great way to find out what to expect in training and reassure yourself of your career choice before you enroll. To make the most of your time at the training center, complete the Admissions Flight Online Learning Module. The Admissions team will review your score. At your convenience, please call 904-595-7950 to discuss next steps in the enrollment process and confirm your eligibility for an Admissions Flight at one of our 78 training centers nationwide.

Next Steps…
  • Watch and interact with a 15 minute online training lesson.
  • Complete a short review quiz at the end.
  • After the quiz, contact our Admissions Team to discuss your eligibility for an Admissions Flight.

Get Started Now »