For US and international student pilots

Train to fly in the USA with the right flight school, first time.

We compare vetted US flight schools and match you with the right one for your goals and budget. We support you through funding and enrolment, plus the M-1 visa, TSA approval and housing if you are coming from abroad. Our service is free for students.

Free for students Vetted partner schools Support until your first flight
Question 1 of 8 About 2 minutes

Where will you be training from?

Next: experience, goals, budget and funding, start date.

School matchingShortlist based on your goals and budget
Costs & fundingTotal costs, loans and payment plans explained
EnrolmentFrom application to your first lesson
Visa & TSAM-1 visa and TSA approval for international students
HousingOptions near your school before you arrive

Who we help

Support built around where you are training from

US students

Training from inside the US

  • Honest comparison of schools, costs and timelines near you or further afield
  • Help understanding financing, private loans and payment plans
  • Programmes that lead towards airline pathway and cadet schemes
  • One contact from first question to first lesson
Start as a US student
International students

Coming to the US to train

  • Only SEVP-certified schools that can issue your I-20
  • Step-by-step support with your M-1 visa application
  • Guidance through TSA Flight Training Security Program approval
  • Housing options near your school before you land
Start as an international student

How it works

From first question to first flight in four steps

01

Take the quiz

Tell us where you are training from, your experience, goals and budget. It takes about two minutes.

02

Free consultation

A call or WhatsApp chat to understand your plans and answer your questions honestly.

03

Your school shortlist

We recommend partner schools that fit you, with costs, timelines and locations compared.

04

Enrol and get ready

We guide you through enrolment and funding, plus your visa, TSA approval and housing if you are coming from abroad.

Training pathways

Wherever you are starting, there is a route to the flight deck

Every pathway is delivered by an FAA-approved partner school. We help you choose the right one for your goals and budget.

No experience

Zero to Commercial Pilot

Private Pilot, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot licences in one structured programme.

Typical cost: $60,000–$100,000+
Check if this suits me
Commercial licence holders

Instructor ratings

CFI, CFII and MEI ratings so you can teach, build hours and get paid while you fly.

Check if this suits me
Career goal

Airline pilot pathway

From zero through instructor ratings and hour building towards an ATP and an airline career.

Check if this suits me

Why Flight Training Connection

Choosing a flight school is a big decision. We make it a safer one.

Flight training is one of the biggest investments you will make, often at a school you have never visited. A poor choice can mean delays, aircraft shortages, rising costs or, for international students, a visa problem.

How we are paid: our service is free for students. Partner schools pay us a fee when a student we refer enrols, so you never pay more by coming through us.

Properly approved

We check each school's FAA approval and, for international students, that it is SEVP-certified to issue I-20s.

Fleet and instructors

Enough aircraft and instructors to keep your training moving without long waits.

Transparent pricing

Clear total costs up front, so there are no surprises halfway through.

One point of contact

Ask us anything by phone or email, from first question to arrival.

Partner schools

A sample of the schools we work with

We share full school details and your personalised shortlist after your free consultation.

Get my shortlist

Part 141 flight academy

SEVP-certified On-site housing

Zero to Commercial and instructor ratings. Accepts US and international students.

Part 61 flight school

US students Flexible schedule

Train at your own pace around work or study. Private through Commercial.

Airline pathway academy

SEVP-certified Multi-engine fleet Instructor jobs

Structured programme from zero towards an airline career, with instructor hiring for graduates.

FAQ

Questions students ask us

Is your service really free?

Yes. Our partner schools pay us when a student we refer enrols. You pay the school's normal price and nothing to us.

Do I need any flying experience?

No. Most of our students start from zero. The quiz tells us where you are so we can suggest the right programme.

How can I pay for flight training?

Options include self-funding, specialist flight training loans and school payment plans. We help you understand total costs and what is available before you commit.

I am not from the US. Can I still train there?

Yes. Most international students train on an M-1 visa, which requires an I-20 from an SEVP-certified school. All non-US students also need TSA approval before flying. We guide you through both.

What level of English do I need?

You need to read, speak, write and understand English to the standard the FAA requires for a pilot certificate. If you are unsure, we can talk it through on your call.

Are you a flight school?

No. We are an independent placement service. Your training is delivered by one of our partner flight schools.

Ready to find your flight school?

Take the 2-minute quiz, then book a free call to talk through your options.