Become a Commercial Pilot

Jobs are Growing For Professional Pilots

According to Boeing, the demand for well-qualified pilots continues to grow. An additional 736,000 pilots will be needed through the year 2039 worldwide. This demand in pilots is driven by the expected growth of airline travel, combined with pilot retirements.

Career Opportunities As A CFA Graduate

As a licensed pilot and CFA graduate, you’ll have the ability to pilot different types of aircraft and work in a variety of settings and occupations. Examples include:

• Commercial Airline Pilot
• Regional Airline Pilot
• Charter Pilot
• Corporate Pilot
• Private Pilot
• Bush Pilot
• Banner Tow Pilot
• Crop Dusting Pilot
• Aviation Consultant
• Flight Instructor

Note that depending on your career path, the country in which you reside, and the airline, there may be a minimum number of flight hours required to apply.

Program Overview, Including Licenses & Ratings Offered

California Flight Academy (CFA) is approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under parts 61 and 141 to offer a Professional Airline Pilot Program that lasts one year. This program was designed based upon the knowledge and skills needed to help you begin an entry level career as an airline pilot in the aviation field. You will earn the following ratings and licenses:

• Private Pilot License (PPL)
• Instrument Rating
• Commercial Single-Engine Rating
• Commercial Multi-Engine Rating

You will also gain knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Air traffic control tower communications
• Ground instruction (Pre/Post)
• Redbird simulator flight instruction
• Cessna aircraft computer instruction
• Digital flight instrument displays (glass cockpit)
• Single and multi-engine aircraft instruction

You may also choose to complete the following elective ratings:

• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
• CFI – Instrument (CFI-I)

International Student Information

Obtaining a U.S. Visa
At CFA, we are here to ensure your transition to the U.S. is simple and comfortable.  We have many years of experience bringing students to the U.S. and will assist you with every step of the Visa process.  Please complete and submit the form above for assistance.

Transfer of CFA Flight Hours and FAA Certifications to Other Countries
With extensive experience working with international students from all parts of the globe, CFA will help you convert your U.S. licenses and ratings to your home country based on your individual needs.

Apply for Admission
The first step to apply at CFA is to complete the form above, and one of our friendly admissions advisors will contact you promptly.  Your advisor will answer any questions you have and help you understand the application process in detail.

Top Pilots Start At California Flight Academy

California Flight Academy is a world-renowned flight school that has trained thousands of students from all parts of the globe. Graduates have successfully become private pilots, flight instructors and commercial airline pilots.  Advantages of a CFA education include the following:

• Reputation of Excellence – With over 80,000 flight hours completed, successful graduates all over the world, and zero student injuries, our track record speaks for itself.
• Credentialed, Experienced Flight Instructors – All your instructors are carefully selected with the right certifications, credentials and experience.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Approved and Cessna Certified – CFA is approved by the United States FAA for both part 61 and 141 training.  This means that our training facilities, curriculum, Chief Flight Instructors and aircraft are inspected and approved by the FAA.
• Above-Standard Flight Hours – All courses are designed to give you more than the FAA minimum number of dual and solo flight hours, in addition to simulation hours, ground instruction and interactive computer-based instruction.
• World-Class Airport & Facility – Our campus is located on an air strip at Gillespie Field in San Diego County, California. Gillespie supports a well-maintained, controlled environment that also includes a FAA control tower.
• Student Housing Available – We offer shared apartments located close to the Academy that come fully furnished with all the amenities.
• Exceptional Climate Ideal for Flying – Our campus is located in sunny San Diego, California, in the United States of America. San Diego’s beautiful climate makes it not only the perfect place to live, but more importantly, one of the most ideal places to fly with 320 sunny days per year.
• Optimally Maintained Aircraft Fleet – Our fleet consists of various aircraft that are meticulously maintained above industry standards.  Each is cared for by our on-site FAA-certified mechanics and safety is our number-one priority.   The fleet includes the following planes:
  • Cessna 152
  • Cessna 162 Skycatcher
  • Cessna 172N
  • Cessna 172SP
  • Beechcraft Duchess
  • Other aircraft are leased as needed to meet student requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for admissions?

• You need to have passed your 12th grade with good scores and speak and write in English at a good level.
• You must be able to communicate in English and be able to read and write in English
• You must be able to demonstrate that you have the funds available to pay for your education and flight training.  CFA does not provide any financial assistance or scholarships.
• The only other eligibility requirement for CFA to start training you is that you need to be at least 18 years old by the time you apply for your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) flight test after you have completed all your Commercial pilot flight training here at CFA. This means, that you can apply as young as 17 years old.

I speak some English, but I know I need to improve. What do you recommend?

We are associated with two pathway English programs that will help you obtain the English proficiency that you need to be successful at California Flight Academy. Please let us know if you would like information about this option. Also, when you are here in California, you will improve your English even faster.

How long will I be away from home?

It’s never easy to be away from home. We understand. So the good news is that on average, it will be only 12 months and perhaps a little longer. It largely depends on you and how fast you can progress through the four phases of becoming a professional pilot.  Some students need a few more hours to pass the exams of each phase. Our teachers are always ready and happy to help students individually progress and achieve their goals.

Phase I, Private Pilot License: 4 months, 55 hours
Phase II, Instrument Rating: 4 months, 55 hours
Phase III, Pre-Commercial: 2 months, 55 hours
Phase IV, Commercial Pilot License: 2 months, 27 hours
Total: 192 hours

What is it like to attend California Flight Academy?

California Flight Academy is a place where you will grow in your confidence to be a pilot. You will learn with other students as you work closely with teachers who are certified pilots who will mentor you individually to be successful. You will develop many friendships that will help you in your career. Also, you will have ground school Monday through Friday on campus. You will probably fly 3 to 5 times a week and for the commercial phases, you will likely fly 4 to 6 times a week.

What is it like to live in the San Diego area?

San Diego is and surrounding communities are safe. The California Flight Academy is located in one of the most desirable cities to live in the U.S. This offers an ideal climate in the world of flying.  As a CFA student, you’ll not only enjoy your flight training experience, but you’ll also have the opportunity to experience San Diego culture. Whether you prefer to relax by the pool, workout at the fitness center, or travel to one of the many attractions located in and around San Diego, you’ll find plenty of options to stay busy.

Is there specific start dates or can I start at any time?

We have 12 enrollment starts per year and every month a new Private Pilot course starts with 10-15 students in our ground school. The classes are small to give personalized attention to build confidence in the students. You need to apply 2-4 months before the time you want to start to get your visa processed and get accepted.

Is there student housing and the cost?

Yes, we do have housing. We provide student housing in a condominium complex about 6.5 kilometers from the school.  The condos are fully furnished with 2 bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and bathrooms.  We house 4 students per apartment and the price is $580 per month per student for a shared room (two students in each room).  The rent includes all utilities, high-speed internet, and cable TV, students will need to buy their own food and personal items.  Most students either take a bike or walk to school.

Please note that food is not provided in the housing. Each apartment will have a full kitchen and students can cook at home. The cost will vary if the student eats out and does not cook at home.

Okay, so how do I get started? How do I apply?

It’s easy and we don’t require a large amount of money at the beginning.

You can apply directly via our Website www.flycfa.com – please click the ‘apply now’ button in the top right-hand corner and complete the international application only.

Step 1 – Complete the I-20 application making sure your name matches exactly the way it is on your passport.

Step 2 – Pay a partially refundable deposit via credit card (if your visa is denied, we will refund you back a portion of the deposit). Our Director of Admissions will contact you at this point to get to know you and assist you through the next few steps.

If you are unable to pay by credit card – please request our manual  I-20 application and you can then pay the deposit by bank transfer, to the bank information provided below:

Address:

California Flight Academy
2065 N. Marshall Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020 USA

Bank Info                                               

Wells Fargo
9771 Mission Gorge Rd
Santee, CA 92071

Account number 6070097669
Routing Number (ABA#) 122000247
WFB IUS6S (swift Code)

After the payment is received, we will send you a draft of your I-20 to review.  The original I-20 is then mailed to you via FedEx in order that you can take it to your visa appointment.

How do I get a visa?

When you click on the application, you can follow easy steps to guide you through the process. You can always call or email us as well if you have any questions. We have helped thousands of students obtain an M-1 visa. In most cases, the M-1 visa is easier to obtain than other types of visas. It can only be used for flight training purposes.

What If I am denied a Visa what is your refund policy?

Sometimes that happens. You can re-apply for a visa and if you get denied again, we will refund $200.00 to you. There is a fee to get an I/20 and an overnight shipment of the package and processing fee for your application.

Step 3 – After your visa has been granted, you will need to deposit $2,500 towards your tuition and books and supplies, so when you arrive your books and supplies will be ready for you at Orientation. Once you arrive here at CFA you will have to deposit another $2,500 into your account. Every month from the day you start you will have to pay $5,000.00 for 11 months.

At the end of your program, any funds not utilized are refunded. Your account is always safe with us.

You probably have more questions. No worries. You can always contact us and we will be happy to help!

We look forward to seeing you at our school!