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Is now a good time to become a pilot?
There is never a better time than now to achieve your goals. There many reasons not to do something, but becoming a pilot comes with countless benefits that outweigh the risks. The aviation community is filled with many like-minded individuals and there is always room for more. If you are looking to make flying your career; even after the COVID-19 Pandemic, there is a massive shortage of pilots and ever increasing demand for air travel. Estimates are showing there will be a shortage of 35,000-60,000 pilots by 2030. Work with a flexible schedule, travel the world, and get paid to love what you do!
How do I choose a flight school?
Choosing the right flight school can come with many challenges; does their schedule fit mine? Are they teaching me what I need to know? How do their prices compare to other flight schools? Lucky for you, AOPA has an excellent resource to help you choose the flight school that best fits your needs.
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At Westfield Flight Academy, we strive to provide flexibility with our scheduling and fair prices. We understand you have other commitments and can work around it. We have over 40 years of flight experience and only employ the best and most knowledgeable flight instructors! Your success and continued safety in flight are our top priority.
How much does flight training cost?
We are the only flight school in Western Massachusetts that offers a Part 141 training course. The major benefit of a Part 141 course is the reduced hour minimum for each license because it is an FAA Certified course. The Private Pilot course will cost about $8,000 - $9,000 compared to the more relaxed Part 61 program that costs $10,000 - $11,000.
If you want to become a Professional Pilot, we can take you from Instrument Rated Private Pilot to Certified Flight Instructor for just below $30,000! Contact us for more details!
Can I finance my training?
We have partnered with the Meritize Platform to provide our students with financing options to fund your education.
Check your loan options in minutes without impacting your credit score at https://apply.meritize.com
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Meritize Lending, LLC, NMLS ID 1661035 (NMLS Consumer Access https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/)
Meritize Financial, Inc. NMLS ID 1986399 (NMLS Consumer Access https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/)
Terms and Conditions apply. Meritize branded loan products are educational loans issued by Meritize Lending, LLC**. Meritize reserves the right to modify or discontinue products and benefits at any time without notice. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or hold an Employment Authorization Document and meet Meritize’s underwriting requirements. If approved for a loan the actual loan amount, term, payment, and APR amount of loan that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law and other factors. Meritize does not warrant or guarantee any claims made herein, including, but not limited to, gaining admission to a program, concerning the quality or financial strength of any educational institution, securing funding or obtaining employment. Our final loan offer may differ as a result of the school chosen and the associated cost of tuition. Not all schools are eligible for funding. Meritize does not offer educational loans in the following states: IA, IN, KY, ME, MI, ND, NV, SD, VT, WI, WV, WY, PR. All rights reserved.
**For residents of SC, loan is made by Meritize Financial, Inc.
Is flight training worth it?
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Flight training is the most rewarding form of education and accomplishment one can pursue. From your first flight to obtaining your Private Pilot Certificate, you will become a master of the skies, change your decision making process, and make many friends along the way. Flying allows us to take the world in from a whole new perspective and discover new places we couldn't have found otherwise.
How do I get started?
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We always recommend scheduling an Introductory Flight! This is great way to see if flying is a good fit for you. This consists of a brief ground lesson, preflight, and about a half hour of flight time with one of our instructors. There is no commitment required!
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We also suggest applying for at least a Third Class Medical Certificate (required for becoming a pilot) before committing much of your time and money in flight training.