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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Questions
FLT Academy is a professional flight training school specializing in career-track pilot training. Our primary programs are designed for students who want to become professional pilots and pursue opportunities with airlines, charter operators, corporate flight departments, cargo operators, flight schools, and other aviation employers.
FLT Academy operates FAA-approved Part 141 training programs and is one of Utah’s largest and highest-rated flight schools. Our training model is structured, career-focused, and designed to help students progress efficiently through each stage of flight training.
FLT Academy operates in Utah with training locations including Woods Cross and Spanish Fork. Each campus provides access to flight training aircraft, instructors, and structured training resources.
Availability may vary by campus, and some locations may have limited enrollment based on aircraft, instructor availability, and student demand.
FLT Academy primarily focuses on career-track flight training. While earning a Private Pilot Certificate is the first step in any pilot’s journey, our programs are generally designed for students who intend to continue beyond Private Pilot training and work toward a professional aviation career.
Students looking only for casual weekend flying, aircraft rental, or hobby-based training may find that a traditional Part 61 flight school is a better fit.
Not typically. FLT Academy aircraft are used exclusively for students enrolled in FLT Academy training programs. We do not offer aircraft rentals, aircraft checkouts, or hourly aircraft rental for non-enrolled pilots.
We do have an Alumni Rental program, where graduates are able to purchase additional hours to be flown for time building. However, this program is not always an option based on enrolled students, aircraft availability, and matriculated student requirements.
FLT Academy operates a diverse training fleet that includes aircraft such as the Sport Cruiser, Diamond DA20, Diamond DA40, and Diamond DA42. Aircraft assignment may depend on the student’s program, training phase, campus, availability, and operational requirements.
Yes, simulator training may be included as part of certain training programs. Simulators are reserved for FLT Academy students and are not available for outside rental.
Enrollment Questions
Enrollment typically includes completing the required admissions checklist, providing necessary documents, securing funding or proof of funds, and completing a Final Enrollment Meeting. Once all enrollment requirements are met and the Aviation Training Agreement is signed, a student may be assigned to an upcoming class date if space is available.
Enrollment is handled on a first-come, first-served basis and is dependent on class availability.
Requirements may vary by program, but commonly include:
- Valid government-issued ID
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or TSA/FTSP approval if applicable
- FAA medical certificate
- Background check
- Driving record
- Drug screening
- Proof of funding or financing approval
- Prior pilot certificates and logbook records, if applicable
Some programs may have additional requirements.
Yes. Career-track students are generally required to obtain an FAA First Class Medical Certificate before enrollment. This is important because professional pilot careers have medical requirements, and students should confirm medical eligibility before making a major investment in flight training.
More details are available on our Steps to Enrollment webpage.
Potentially, but additional requirements apply. Non-U.S. citizens must comply with TSA Flight Training Security Program requirements before beginning flight training. FLT Academy does not issue or sponsor student visas, so international students must already have or independently obtain the appropriate legal status to train in the United States.
No. FLT Academy is not SEVIS-authorized and does not issue I-20 forms for F-1 or M-1 student visas. International students are responsible for securing their own legal ability to train in the United States.
Students may enroll in a class up to six months in advance, depending on the program and class availability. Since class seats are assigned in order of completed enrollment, students are encouraged to complete requirements as early as possible.
No. A start date is not guaranteed by submitting an inquiry or starting an application. Class placement is generally assigned once all enrollment requirements have been completed, funding has been confirmed, the Final Enrollment Meeting has been completed, at which point a training start date is offered and the Aviation Training Agreement is signed.
If a class reaches capacity before a student completes all enrollment requirements, the student may be offered the next available start date. Upcoming class spaces are assigned in order of completed enrollment.
Age and Eligibility Questions
There is no FAA minimum age to begin receiving flight instruction, but there are age requirements for certain pilot privileges. A student must generally be at least 16 years old to solo an aircraft and at least 17 years old to earn a Private Pilot Certificate.
However, FLT Academy’s programs are designed for adult, career-focused students. FLT Academy requires students to be at least 18 years old to enroll in its training programs.
FLT Academy’s training programs require significant weekly availability, including flight training, ground school, lesson preparation, studying, weather briefings, and scheduling flexibility. Because of this, our programs are typically not a practical fit for high school students.
Students who are still in high school may benefit from taking an introductory flight, learning about aviation careers, studying aviation fundamentals, or planning ahead for future training.
Yes. Weight limits may apply based on aircraft type, safety requirements, and training activity. FLT Academy may have aircraft-specific or training-specific limits, including separate limits for certain maneuvers such as spin training.
Because aircraft weight and balance is a safety requirement, students should discuss this with the admissions team before enrolling if they have any concerns.
Program Questions
FLT Academy specializes in career-track flight training. A typical professional pilot training path may include:
- Private Pilot Certificate
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Multi-Engine Add-On
- Certified Flight Instructor
- Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument
- Multi-Engine Instructor
Program availability, structure, and sequencing may vary.
Part 61 and Part 141 are two different FAA training structures.
Part 61 training is typically more flexible and may be a good option for students training casually, part-time, or with less predictable availability.
Part 141 training follows an FAA-approved syllabus with structured lessons, stage checks, attendance requirements, and program oversight. FLT Academy’s main programs are Part 141 programs designed for students pursuing efficient, career-focused training.
Read more about the differences on our blog!
Yes. FLT Academy offers FAA-approved Part 141 training programs. This structured training environment is one of the reasons FLT Academy is able to provide a more organized path for students pursuing professional pilot careers.
Examining Authority allows eligible Part 141 students at FLT Academy to complete certain FAA-required practical evaluations in-house rather than scheduling with an outside Designated Pilot Examiner.
This can help reduce delays associated with examiner availability, but students are still held to FAA standards. In-house evaluations are not a shortcut and still require students to demonstrate the knowledge, skill, and proficiency required by the FAA.
FLT Academy has Examining Authority for certain Part 141 courses, including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor training. Availability and eligibility may vary based on the student’s program, training record, and FAA requirements.
Examining Authority generally applies only to eligible students training within FLT Academy’s approved Part 141 program. Students transferring from another school or coming from a Part 61 background may not be eligible for in-house evaluations until they meet the specific requirements of FLT Academy’s Part 141 course structure.
No. FLT Academy does not currently offer Sport Pilot training.
FLT Academy’s primary focus is career-track flight training. Students interested only in earning a Private Pilot Certificate for recreational purposes should speak with the admissions team to determine whether FLT Academy is the right fit.
Training Schedule Questions
FLT Academy is best suited for students who can train consistently and maintain strong weekly availability. Accelerated students should expect flight training to be a major time commitment.
Less-accelerated options may be available, but students still need regular daytime availability to make consistent progress.
Flight frequency depends on the program track, student availability, weather, maintenance, instructor availability, and training phase.
Accelerated students should typically plan for at least five weekly lessons.
Ground school schedules may vary, but FLT Academy’s ground schools are typically held in person during weekday daytime blocks. Depending on the course, ground school may be scheduled in the morning or afternoon.
Students should confirm the current ground school schedule for their specific class date and program.
Ground school is conducted in person. FLT Academy’s training model emphasizes structured, instructor-led ground school to help students build the knowledge foundation required for each certificate or rating.
Attendance is important. Missing ground school can affect student progress and may require make-up instruction. Make-up instruction may be billed separately depending on the situation.
Students should plan ahead and make sure they can attend the required ground school schedule before enrolling.
Some students work part-time while training, but full-time employment can be difficult, if not impossible, to balance with an accelerated flight training program. Flight training requires more than just time in the aircraft. Students also need time for ground school, studying, lesson preparation, weather briefings, simulator sessions, and schedule flexibility.
Students who need to work while training should discuss their availability with the admissions team before enrolling.
FLT Academy is generally not designed as a nights-and-weekends flight school. Because aircraft, instructor schedules, ground school, weather windows, and training consistency are all important, students need meaningful weekday and daytime availability.
Training time depends on the program, student availability, weather, aircraft maintenance, instructor availability, student proficiency, and check/evaluation timelines.
A highly committed, accelerated student may complete a career-track program faster than a student training on a reduced schedule. Students should speak with the admissions team for the current estimated timeline for their specific program.
Prior Flight Experience and Transfer Questions
It depends on where and how the training was completed.
If prior training was completed under Part 61, those hours may not directly reduce the requirements of FLT Academy’s Part 141 training program. In many cases, a student may need to restart the approved Part 141 course from the beginning.
If prior training was completed at another Part 141 school, FLT Academy may be able to credit up to 50% of the applicable course requirements, subject to FAA rules, documentation review, knowledge evaluation, and aircraft proficiency review.
Part 61 experience can still be valuable from a proficiency standpoint, but it may not reduce the required lessons or hours within FLT Academy’s FAA-approved Part 141 curriculum. Students with prior Part 61 experience should be prepared for the possibility that they may need to begin the applicable course from the start.
Potentially. Under FAA rules, a Part 141 school may be able to credit a portion of prior training from another approved Part 141 program. Credit is typically limited and depends on documentation, course compatibility, knowledge evaluation, and aircraft proficiency.
Transfer students should be prepared to provide:
- Pilot certificate, if applicable
- Medical certificate
- Logbook records
- Endorsements
- Prior training records
- Stage check or course completion records, if applicable
- Knowledge test results, if applicable
Additional documents may be requested depending on the student’s training history.
Possibly, but students with older or inconsistent prior training may need additional review or remedial training. If prior training was completed outside of a Part 141 program, it may not reduce the required curriculum within FLT Academy’s Part 141 course.
The best next step is to speak with admissions and provide logbook records for review.
Financing and Cost Questions
Training cost depends on the program, aircraft, student proficiency, training pace, and any additional training needed beyond the estimated syllabus. FLT Academy provides cost estimates, but actual cost can vary.
Try our pricing estimate tool for a rough idea of your anticipated cost of training!
Students should also budget for items that may not be included in the training estimate, such as medical exams, background checks, drug screening, renters insurance, and elective personal equipment.
Yes. FLT Academy works with aviation training lenders that may offer financing options for qualified students. Loan approval, terms, interest rates, cosigner requirements, and disbursement schedules are determined by the lender.
Students should carefully review all loan terms before accepting financing.
Some lenders may allow limited living expense funding, depending on the lender and program. Availability is subject to lender approval and may change. Students should speak directly with the lender for the most accurate information.
FLT Academy works with Sallie Mae for eligible career-focused training programs. Sallie Mae loan availability, approval, cosigner requirements, and terms are determined by Sallie Mae.
Students should contact Sallie Mae directly for the most accurate loan-specific information.
Unfortunately, no. Because FLT Academy is not a college/university we are not currently able to accept GI Bill benefits. Students planning to use veterans education benefits should verify eligibility directly with the VA and review programs that are approved for GI Bill funding.
Payment schedules depend on the student’s program and funding method. Students paying out of pocket may have a structured payment schedule, while students using financing may follow lender disbursement timelines.
Students should review their payment agreement carefully before enrollment.
Career Questions
Yes. FLT Academy’s career-track programs are designed to help students complete the certificates and ratings needed to begin working toward a professional pilot career. Many airline-bound students complete training, become flight instructors or find other time-building jobs, and work toward the flight experience required for airline hiring.
A typical career-track student may complete:
- Private Pilot Certificate
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Multi-Engine Add-On
- Certified Flight Instructor
- Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument
- Multi-Engine Instructor
The exact path may vary based on the student’s goals and program.
A college degree is not required for many pilot jobs, including many airline positions. However, hiring requirements can vary by employer and may change over time. Students should review current airline hiring requirements when planning their career path.
Many students build flight time by working as flight instructors, while others may pursue opportunities in charter, cargo, survey, aerial observation, corporate aviation, or other entry-level commercial pilot roles.
The best option depends on the student’s goals, qualifications, hiring environment, and available opportunities at the time.
FLT Academy may hire qualified graduates as instructors when positions are available, but instructor employment is not guaranteed. Hiring decisions are based on school needs, student performance, professionalism, instructor qualifications, and operational requirements.
Campus and Class Availability Questions
FLT Academy limits enrollment to help maintain appropriate aircraft, instructor, and student ratios. This helps protect training quality and prevents overloading the program.
If a campus or class is in high demand, upcoming seats may fill before the published enrollment deadline.
Class seats are generally assigned in order of completed enrollment. This means students who complete all requirements and sign their training agreement earlier are more likely to secure their preferred start date.
Yes. However, your location of training may dictate your class date based on availability for new students in a particular class/location.
Campus changes may be possible in some cases, but they are not guaranteed. Switching campuses can affect scheduling, aircraft availability, instructor assignment, and training continuity.
Enrollment may be limited during periods of high demand. FLT Academy may limit upcoming class sizes to maintain training quality, aircraft availability, and instructor-to-student ratios.
Students interested should complete enrollment early to improve their chances of securing a spot.
Training Expectations
Students should expect to spend significant time studying, preparing for lessons, completing assignments, reviewing procedures, chair flying maneuvers, checking weather, and preparing for evaluations.
Flight training is not limited to the time spent in the aircraft. Strong preparation outside of lessons is one of the biggest factors in a student’s success.
Successful students are typically consistent, prepared, professional, and available. They study regularly, show up prepared for lessons, communicate proactively, and treat training like a serious career investment.
Common reasons students fall behind include limited availability, inconsistent attendance, lack of preparation, delays in completing required documents, weather interruptions, medical issues, funding delays, and needing additional proficiency training.
Extra training may be required if a student needs more time to reach proficiency. This is common in flight training and does not necessarily mean a student is unsuccessful. However, additional training can increase both cost and timeline.
No. Flight training timelines are estimates. Weather, maintenance, student proficiency, scheduling, availability, and evaluation readiness can all affect the total timeline.
Introductory Flight Questions
FLT Academy may offer introductory flights for prospective students who want to experience flight training and learn more about the school.
Introductory flights are a great way to see the aircraft, meet the team, and better understand what flight training feels like before enrolling.
Passenger availability may depend on aircraft type, weight and balance, weather, and operational requirements. Prospective students should confirm passenger limitations when scheduling.
Yes. Introductory flights may be canceled or rescheduled due to weather, maintenance, aircraft availability, instructor availability, or operational needs. Safety always comes first.
Safety and Requirements
Yes, drug screening may be required as part of the enrollment process. Aviation is a highly regulated industry, and students pursuing professional pilot training should be prepared to meet strict safety and compliance standards.
Yes. A background check may be required as part of the admissions process. Additional screening may apply for certain programs, lender requirements, airline pathway programs, or employer-related opportunities.
Some medical conditions, medications, or health history items may affect a student’s ability to obtain or maintain an FAA medical certificate. Students with medical concerns should consult an Aviation Medical Examiner before enrolling.
Certain legal, background, or driving history issues may affect eligibility for training, financing, airline pathway programs, insurance, or future employment. Students with concerns should discuss them early in the admissions process.
International Student Questions
International students may be able to train at FLT Academy if they meet all legal, TSA, visa, identification, funding, and enrollment requirements. FLT Academy does not sponsor student visas, so the student must independently have legal authorization to train in the United States.
The Flight Training Security Program is a TSA requirement for many non-U.S. citizens receiving flight training in the United States. Approval must be completed before beginning certain types of flight training.
FLT Academy can provide guidance on the process, but students are responsible for completing required TSA/FTSP steps and obtaining approval before training begins.
Choosing FLT Academy
FLT Academy offers a structured, career-focused training environment designed for students pursuing professional aviation careers. Key advantages may include:
- FAA-approved Part 141 training
- In-house evaluation authority for eligible courses
- A large and growing training fleet
- Multiple Utah training locations
- Structured ground school
- Career-track training programs
- Airline pathway opportunities
- Professional training standards
- A team experienced in helping students navigate training, financing, and career planning
FLT Academy may be a strong fit if you are serious about becoming a professional pilot, can commit consistent time to training, and want a structured path from beginner through advanced certificates and ratings.
FLT Academy may not be the best fit if you are looking for occasional weekend lessons, aircraft rental, casual hobby flying, or a highly flexible, self-paced training schedule.
The best first step is to schedule a consultation with FLT Academy’s admissions team. During the consultation, you can discuss your goals, timeline, availability, medical eligibility, financing options, and the program that best fits your situation.
Financing FAQ
We know financing for your education is important so you can get started right away. Here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to paying for FLT Academy’s flight training.
Because FLT Academy offers multiple financing options for prospective pilots, the timeline may vary. Typically, financing approvals take less than a week if a co-signer is not required.
Everyone over the age of 18 is eligible to apply to FLT Academy’s lending partners. Based on your credit profile, lenders may require a co-signer. Current lending options are:
- Sallie Mae
- Stratus Financial
Sallie Mae is only available to Accelerated Career-Track or Accelerated Career-Track+ students. Single rating and/or Less-Accelerated Career-Track students are not eligible for Sallie Mae loan options.
Stratus Financial is available to Accelerated/Less-Accelerated Career-Track/Career-Track+ Program students. Single ratings/add-ons are not applicable.
Interest rates, terms, deferments, etc. are all dependent on what an applicant is approved for.
For this reason, FLT Academy is unable to provide an answer to this question. Prospective students planning to finance their training should visit the lenders websites, submit their application, and see what terms/rates/payments they qualify for.
- Career-Track Programs (Accelerated): Sallie Mae, and Stratus Financial
- Career-Track Programs (Less-Accelerated): Stratus Financial
You are only responsible to repay the funds used up to the point you halt your training, plus any associated fees incurred. Any unused funds at that time must be returned to the lender.
Loan terms are based on approvals. To know what specific loan terms you would be facing, you must submit your application for financing to the lenders.
As of yet, there are no tuition discounts available. However, tuition can be reduced if a student has verified, previous flight training, or has their own equipment, such as a cellular iPad or aviation headset, to use.
Depending on the type of training (Career-Track Program vs private pilot, etc…), almost everything is included in our training estimates and covered by financing. All ground schools, books & materials, aviation headset, cellular iPad, ForeFlight subscription, FAA checkride/written test fees, flight time, instructor charges, flight bag essentials, and more are all factored in! Things not covered include:
- Cellular Data Plan for iPad (not required, but highly recommended. Must be obtained through your cellular network provider)
- Non-Owner Aircraft Renters Insurance (Approximately $250/year for a pilot with no prior experience)
- Enrollment documents and other requirements (drug test, FAA medical evaluation, background check, driving record, etc.)
Each student has an account with Flight Schedule Pro. From that dashboard, all financing can be tracked, right down to where every penny has been spent on flight training.
