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Emma Sky
18 Feb 2026
Are you a non-US citizen planning to learn to fly in America? The biggest risk you face is selecting the wrong training category.
Falling for the wrong flight school category will cost you time and money. Such flight schools ignore visa requirements, FAA regulations, and immigration limits.
You need to learn about the best flight schools in the USA and this guide focuses on that. It is written in accordance with FAA training standards, TSA AFSP requirements, and current SEVP visa rules followed by U.S. flight academies.
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For visa sponsorship, an international student has to choose an FAA Part 141 flight school. The only way to get the Form I-20 required for the M-1 visa. Students enrolled in Part 61 schools are not eligible unless they already have permanent U.S. residency.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified flight schools are known as Part 141 schools. The FAA approves their syllabus-based training of defined lesson plans, stage checks, and minimum flight-hour requirements.
For an M-1 visa, an I-20 form is necessary. Only a school with a Part 141 FAA-approved certificate can provide this form.
They are not standardized, FAA-certified schools. Part 61 schools cannot issue Form I-20, so international students should not pursue this option. This program can benefit U.S. nationals or those with very high net worth.
Do not enroll in a small “mom-and-pop” Part 61 flight school if you require visa sponsorship.
Only FAA Part 141 schools approved under SEVP can issue the I-20 form required for the M-1 visa. Many international students make this mistake and are forced to restart their training elsewhere.
University flight programs in the USA allow international students to earn a bachelor’s degree and FAA pilot licenses under an F-1 visa.
International students can earn an FAA-approved degree and pilot licenses through the University Flight Programs under F-1 visa. These schools are SEVP-approved, issue an I-20, and combine academic credit with structured flight training.
Embry-Riddle is a renowned aviation university. The famous Daytona Beach campus is an FAA-approved training fleet with advanced simulator labs.
The university offers a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Science with structured flight training. Passing this program will get you a Private Pilot License that leads you to your Commercial Pilot License. Training uses industry-standard aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and modern digital tools.
Best for: Students with interests in an academic degree & a solid foundation in flight training.
Visa: F-1 visa supported by a university-issued I-20 form.
Another school with the largest collegiate aviation programs in the United States. They offer academic instruction with a range of flight and simulator resources.
UND is known for its consistent training standards. The university has strong pipelines of flight instructors and collaboration with regional and major airlines.
Best for: Students searching for a budget program with flight credentials and airline exposure.
Visa: F-1 visa with SEVP approval and I-20 form issuance.
Purdue University offers flight training, aviation technology, and analytical coursework. The curriculum covers systems knowledge, safety, and operational discipline.
Many program graduates earn flight certifications and academic grounding, finding careers in airlines and corporate aviation.
Best for: Students who want an integrated aviation education with strong industry and research connections.
Visa: F-1 visa through Purdue’s SEVP-approved international student program.
For International students or anyone interested only in flying, Vocational flight academies are the best option for an M-1 visa. But for a residency visa, this is not the right option.
ATP Flight School is a top FAA-approved Part 141 flight academy in the USA. It operates a standardized fleet and syllabus across dozens of locations nationwide.
If the interest is speedy learning with consistency and airline-oriented procedures, go for it. You will complete the defined milestones and flight-hour targets to obtain a private license.
Best for: Students seeking a fast path from beginner to commercial pilot certification.
Visa: M-1 visa supported through Part 141 I-20 issuance.
CAE Phoenix, under the aviation training network, integrates flight training with advanced simulators and structured airline-style operating procedures.
It offers simulator-based airline cadet programs that engage the students. They get early exposure to airline environments and selection pathways.
Best for: Students targeting structured airline career pipelines with simulator-heavy training.
Visa: M-1 visa through an FAA Part 141 vocational program.
FlightSafety International is a globally recognized leader in professional aviation training. The school offers a structured pilot training. It is also famous for its corporate and business jet instruction.
The training environment is top-notch with precision, safety systems, and high-performance aircraft operations.
Best for: Students focused on business aviation, corporate flying, or advanced professional training.
Visa: M-1 visa, where Part 141 programs are offered.
Before enrolling in any FAA flight school, international students must complete U.S. security and medical compliance steps. These are mandatory.
Schools cannot waive them, and missing them will delay or stop training. This section covers the two requirements that flight schools enforce.
All non-US citizens must receive TSA AFSP approval before starting flight training in the USA. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), operates the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP).
TSA AFSP approval is a federal requirement under U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations. Starting lessons early violates federal law and risks visa cancellation.
You must hold an FAA medical certificate before paying flight training tuition. For professional pilot training, international students should obtain a Class 1 (First-Class) Medical Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Complete the FAA medical exam before committing to tuition, housing, or visa paperwork.
A CPL typically needs $70,000 to $120,000 USD in total expenses. Pilot training in the USA involves flight hours, ground instruction, exams, visa compliance, and living costs.
The following are the easy details for the cost of the best flight schools in the USA as of 2026 flight training data:
The largest cost component is flight time. For example, a Cessna 172 and its instructor cost $35,000 to $50,000. Till you get the commercial license, the actual totals depend:
Ground school is essential before FAA written exams. Most schools include basic ground training, but not all study materials.
Major certifications like PPL, IR, & CPL require a separate FAA checkride. The total cost can exceed $1,800. The number of checkrides and the examiner's location matter.
A budget for aviation security clearance (AFSP), medical exams, and visa/SEVIS fees. These are mandatory for international students before or during training.
Usually, it depends on the living lifestyle. But if you go to Arizona and Florida campuses, you can save more.
An approximate $70,000 to $120,000+ USD. For all damages like flight hours, exams, compliance fees, housing, and essential supplies such as headsets, books, and navigation tools.
Pilot training in the USA is fully digital. Modern flight schools do not use paper charts or manuals. Student pilots plan routes, monitor weather, and manage airspace digitally.
Without data access, training progress stops. You need the following tools to meet operational requirements:
An Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) is a digital tool used by student pilots to manage charts, weather, flight plans, and training records. It replaces charts, manuals, and navigation binders with a live flight management system. Most U.S. flight schools require tools like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot from the first phase of training.
Pilots use EFBs to:
Some data can be viewed offline, but core functions require internet access, especially:
Airport Wi-Fi is public and almost jammed. Many training airports face weak coverage, overloaded networks, or no ramp access during peak hours.
Download large chart updates on hotel or housing Wi-Fi. Use a reliable international eSIM plan like eSIMCard on your iPad Mini or tablet to:
That’s exactly how international student pilots get trained. Stable mobile data is a safety, compliance, and continuity requirement. With eSIMCard’s eSIM for the USA on your side, the sky is the limit.
With multiple data plans on the list, one thing that sets eSIMCard apart is its Data+Voice+SMS eSIM Plans. If you have an issue while on the go and the instructor is not available on WhatsApp, you can call them. Make calls or send SMS over the carrier at any time.
Because flight training requires daily mobile data access, many international students compare U.S. eSIM plans based on reliability, coverage, and voice support.
The following plans are common options used by international student pilots.
NOTE: To download an eSIM, your device should be eSIM compatible. Check your device’s eSIM compatibility before purchasing an eSIM. Forget about roaming charges and stay connected in the United States with eSIMCard eSIM.
Yes, international students can legally become pilots in the USA through FAA-approved flight schools with visa support. Most non-US citizens train at Part 141 schools under an M-1 visa or attend aviation universities under an F-1 visa, both of which require an I-20 form and TSA clearance.
International student pilots need either an M-1 or F-1 visa, depending on the school type.
Vocational flight academies issue M-1 visas, while universities offering aviation degrees use F-1 visas. Part 61 schools cannot sponsor any student visa.
Yes, Part 141 training is mandatory if you need visa sponsorship. Only FAA Part 141 schools approved under SEVP can issue the I-20 form required for an M-1 or F-1 visa. Part 61 training is not visa-eligible.
Most international students spend between $70,000 and $120,000+ USD to reach the commercial pilot level. This includes flight hours, ground school, FAA exams, TSA clearance, medical certification, visa fees, and living costs. Final cost depends on training speed, weather, and aircraft rates.
Yes, TSA AFSP approval is mandatory before any flight training begins. Non-US citizens must complete the TSA Alien Flight Student Program, including identity checks, fingerprinting, and a security fee. Training cannot legally start without TSA clearance.
No, the M-1 visa strictly forbids employment during flight training. International students on an M-1 visa cannot work on or off campus, including paid internships. Violating this rule can result in visa termination and removal from the training program.
Yes, FAA licenses can be converted to EASA, but the process is not automatic.
Pilots must complete EASA theory exams, medical certification, and skill tests depending on the license level. Most European authorities treat FAA licenses as a starting point, not a direct equivalent.
There is no maximum age limit to start flight training in the USA. The FAA requires a minimum age of 17 for a Private Pilot License and 18 for a Commercial Pilot License. Upper age limits apply only at airline hiring stages, not training.
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