Welcome to Lift-Off, our latest newsletter packed with insights on helicopter pilot training and building a career in aviation
Todays article focusses on the cost and financing of flight training
In addition to the job prospects after completing your training, the cost of the training itself is a major factor when choosing a flight school. I’m happy to send you our detailed price list! And if you already have a license or are only interested in the FAA licenses, I can provide a specific price list for that as well.
When comparing the costs of different flight schools, there are several things you should consider:
What costs are involved beyond the training itself?
For example, you need to account for exam fees, living expenses, visa costs, and so on. It’s important to have a full picture of what you’ll be paying for, beyond just the flying lessons.
Are there additional training costs?
This could include things like enrollment fees, landing fees, or fuel surcharges. For instance, at Hillsboro, we have a fuel surcharge that covers the additional fuel costs when prices rise, which is something many students don’t think about when budgeting.
Is sales tax included in the price?
In Oregon, where our school is based, there is no sales tax. This can make a significant difference compared to other U.S. states or European countries where taxes like VAT are applied to training costs. It’s always good to check if taxes are included in the advertised prices.
Does the school require upfront payment for the entire course?
In the U.S., it’s not common to sign contracts that lock you into paying for the full training upfront. At Hillsboro, for example, you pay for flights and lessons as you go, based on the day’s activities. The exception is our EASA program, where the fees are due in a lump sum when you enroll in the EASA portion after completing your FAA PPL. This is because we forward the fees to our partner school and the relevant authorities.
What other realistic costs should you prepare for?
Aside from training, you’ll need to budget for living expenses, insurance, and more. Based on feedback from our students, we’ve included an estimate of these additional costs in our price list so you can plan accordingly.
Is financing available?
Some flight schools may help you with financing options directly. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to “work off” the cost of training afterward, and no legitimate flight school will guarantee you a job before you even start your training.
Hillsboro doesn’t offer direct financing, but most of our students are able to finance part of their training through loans they can get with the help of their family.
Tax Deductions
Lastly, I strongly recommend that you speak to a tax advisor. In Germany for example, it’s often possible to deduct your training costs from your taxes for up to seven years after your training is completed. In my case, my parents were able to deduct 9,000 euros per year because they were supporting me financially during my training. However, this usually only applies if it’s your second education, and the rules can vary depending on the tax office and how they interpret the regulations. This part can be confusing, so definitely talk to a tax professional first to understand your options!
FAQs
On our website, we’ve created a very comprehensive list of common questions about pilot training. You should definitely take a look at it! http://en.flyhaa.de/faq
Webinars
We regularly host webinars and live events around Europe, where we share a lot of information about the training and the career in the helicopter cockpit. You can watch the recording of our latest webinar here: