Oregon Flight Schools
With uncrowded skies, attractive cities, and a stunning coastline, Oregon is a fabulous place to learn to fly a plane. Sign up for flight school here, and you can take the controls of an airplane or helicopter in anything from a few months to a couple of years.
Whether you want to get your private pilot’s license to fly for leisure purposes or dream of a lucrative career in aviation, flight school is your route to success. With commitment and courage, you can end up working for a commercial airline or at the controls of your very own private airplane.
Like most other places, attending one of the many flight schools in Oregon requires a huge investment, both in time and money terms. It’s not a decision to take lightly and this guide can help you find the right aviation school for you.
The cost of a flight school in Oregon varies according to the academy and program you choose. Options typically range from fast-track Recreational Pilot courses to two-year degrees. The required flying hours comprise the bulk of this cost, and for the Private Pilot certificate, 40 hours is the absolute minimum. Costs can be kept down by preparing well for every lesson and keeping up regular flying hours.
Getting your private pilot certificate can cost from about $7,500 upwards, while a two-year degree can cost up to $95,000. Other courses might cost more or less than this, and prices vary by institution and the number of flying hours required as well as the type of aircraft you plan to fly.
According to websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and Salary.com, airline pilots in Oregon earn an average of around $95,000. You can expect an increase in experience and responsibility. Compared to other states in the United States, it’s a bit on the higher side.
Aurora Flight Training
Aurora, OR
$12,208
If you want the reassurance of experience, Aurora Flight Training has to be worth a look. With half-a-dozen locations and access to more than 100 Bellanca, Cessna, Cirrus, and Piper aircraft, it’s a big operation offering expert tuition, tailored programs, and very high standards.
The list of courses available at Aurora Flight Training is long and distinguished. Programs include ground school and private pilot license tuition, plus multi-engine, commercial, and instrument rating training. You can also become a certified instructor or undertake a mountain flying course, an accelerated program, or Cirrus transitional training.
There are several discovery flight options open to anyone, so you can try before signing up. These include the one-hour Oregon Experience, the Premium option in a Garmin G1000 equipped Cessna, or the 90 minute Coastal Cruise....
Hillsboro Aero Academy
Hillsboro, OR
$69,209
If you want to attend a flight school dedicated to unrivaled support and preparation for your future career, consider Hillsboro Aero Academy. Based in Hillsboro, the school has taught students from over 75 countries and has been operating for over 40 years.
As Hillsboro Aero Academy points out, there is no better time to become a pilot, with the demand for flights soaring worldwide. Apart from airplanes, you can also train to fly a helicopter, whether your future lies in search and rescue, firefighting, utility operations, or even making movies.
The setting is the vast, unspoiled Pacific Northwest, and the school has campuses in Hillsboro and Troutdale, near Bend and...
Infinite Aero Academy
Albany, OR
$42,000
Infinite Aero Academy’s specialty is fast-track programs that see would-be pilots take to the skies in no time. Students can complete private pilot training in 5 weeks, instrument tuition in 6 weeks, or a commercial course in 7 weeks. There’s also an 18-week program to take you from zero hours to a commercial pilot or a 20-week course for those who want to earn while they learn.
The academy is based in Albany and is an international school for trainee pilots from all over the world. Facilities include the FAA-approved AATD, which can be used at a rate of $60 per hour. Time spent training on this can count towards...
Lane Aviation Academy
Eugene, OR
$20,510
The Aviation Professional Pilot Program from the Lane Aviation Academy at the Lane Community College is based at the Eugene Airport. This compact site, combined with the area’s cloudy weather conditions, offers great all-around training without crowded skies.
In addition to Piper and Cessna aircraft, the college offers a couple of AATD simulators, plus a pair of BATD simulators. With the college quoting an average salary of six figures per annum for pilots, co-pilots, or aircraft engineers, it’s an excellent career path.
Lane Aviation Academy’s Aviation Professional Pilot Program can pave the way to a lucrative and rewarding career in flying. FAA certification is included, and it’s possible to become...
Leading Edge Flight Academy
Bend, OR
$74,440
Established almost two decades ago, Leading Edge Flight Academy offers full training for both helicopter and plane pilots. Both programs are FAA-approved. The plane course can take you from zero hours to a professional pilot.
Leading Edge Flight Academy can be found in the appealing city of Bend, at almost 3,500 feet above sea level. Students come from all over the world, and those who truly excel can become future instructors here. All are enabled to reach their full potential via practical training that’s carefully tailored to individual strengths and weaknesses.
Between them, the staff at Leading Edge have over 100 years of flying experience. The school also offers the...
Pacific Aviation Northwest
Grants Pass, OR
Pacific Aviation Northwest is based at Grants Pass Airport in Oregon. This school offers everything from 30 minute or full hour introductory flights to ground school, aircraft rentals, plane storage, aircraft maintenance, and more. You might even be able to buy your first plane through their sales service.
The academy can help you on the way to becoming a certified pilot. If you want to get your student license, you can benefit from a free consultation with staff before going ahead. A PPL is the next step, which unlike the student license, allows you to fly at night as well as during the day.
Pacific Aviation Northwest has Cessna 152...
Willamette Aviation
Aurora, OR
$17,000
While no one can say that becoming a pilot is simple, the philosophy at Willamette Aviation is that anyone can achieve this aim. While a huge time commitment is required, it’s a path that’s open to many.
With Willamette Aviation, becoming a private pilot can cost between $14,000 and $17,000 and upwards. There are 40 to 60 hours of training, and one to two hours per week of flying is recommended. Willamette doesn’t promise a quick fix, pointing out instead that training usually takes a minimum of six months to a year to complete.
Before making the commitment, Willamette recommends booking one of their Discovery Flights to work out whether...