Flight school options in New Jersey

While there are many good programs to choose from in the Garden State, we’ve highlighted five for their variety of offerings to meet the varying goals of aspiring pilots. If you’re ready to start flying, start with these highly rated pilot schools in New Jersey.

As an accredited flight school with flexible Part 61 training, Air-Mods Flight Academy is an excellent choice for any aspiring pilot. Whether the end goal is to fly as a hobbyist or professional, Air-Mods offers training from private pilot to flight instructor.

Location: Trenton-Robbinsville Airport (N87), Robbinsville

Tuition and Fees: Training and rental costs are not publicly disclosed. It is therefore best to contact the school directly for price information. Air-Mods is currently offering a three-hour flight package for $430 through Groupon. This price is stated to represent a 56 percent discount from the regular price of $968.

Financial support: NO.

Accreditation: Yes. Air-Mods is accredited by the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA).

Program length: It varies depending on the student’s schedule and progress. As a Part 61 flight school, Air-Mods offers flexible training plans tailored to individual needs. Training is possible seven days a week.

Training offer: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Fleet: Piper Warrior, Piper Archer, Piper Seminole

Job placement: Air-Mods works with Piedmont and Republic Airways.

Virtual learning: While Air-Mods does not offer virtual learning, online training can be completed through programs such as Pilot Institute.

Located near the capital city of Trenton, Infinity Flight Group stands out as one of the best flight schools in New Jersey. The many commercial pilot programs offered include the American Airlines Cadet Academy and an accredited aviation degree program through Mercer County Community College (MCCC).

Location: Trenton-Mercer Airport (KTTN), Ewing Township

Tuition and Fees: Prices vary depending on program options and are subject to change. For the 2024-25 school year, MCCC reports a total program cost of $97,221. AA Cadet Academy estimates its students will spend $99,395 at this location.

Financial support: Financing is provided through Sallie Mae. Students participating in the community college program may have access to additional funding and scholarship opportunities.

Accreditation: Infinity Flight Group has a partnership with Mercer County Community College, which offers a two-year commercial pilot program. This program is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).

Program length: Depending on the program, completion times are between nine and 24 months.

Training offer: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Fleet: Cessna 172, Piper Seminole.

Job placement: Yes. The AA Cadet Academy program provides job placement with wholly owned subsidiaries of American Airlines, including Envoy, Piedmont and PSA.

Virtual learning: Some aviation courses are available online through the MCCC degree program.

As one of only three Cessna pilot centers in the state, Air Fleet Training Systems is a renowned school for flight training at all levels.

Location: Essex County Airport (KCDW) in Fairfield

Tuition and Fees: Specific training costs are not publicly listed. Contact the school directly for the most current pricing information.

Financial support: NO.

Program length: The training schedule depends on the student’s progress and availability. Both Part 61 and Part 141 programs are offered with flexible scheduling.

Training offer: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

Fleet: Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Piper Seminole

Virtual learning: Online elementary school can be completed through programs such as Altitude University

For flexible and affordable flight lessons in New Jersey, Somerset Air Service is an established school that offers training at all levels.

Location: Somerset Airport (KSMQ) in Bedminster

Tuition and Fees: Aircraft rental rates range from $130 to $190 per hour. Basic classes are charged at $65 per hour and advanced classes are charged at $75 per hour. Elementary classes are offered weekly for $75 per two-hour class. The total cost of the program varies depending on the progress of the individual student.

Financial support: NO.

Program length: The training schedule depends on the individual student’s goals, progress and availability. Classes can be scheduled any day of the week.

Training offer: Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Multi-Engine Rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Fleet: Piper Cherokee, Piper Archer, Piper Arrow

Virtual learning: Yes. Online, in-person classes are offered via Zoom at a rate of $50 per hour.

Just outside of Philadelphia, FreeFlight Aviation is a community-oriented flight school. The friendly atmosphere of the flying club fits perfectly with the flexible training from PPL to ATP.

Location: Flying W Airport (N14), Medford

Tuition and Fees: Prices are not listed online. Contact FreeFlight for training costs.

Financial support: Yes. Financing is possible.

Accreditation: FreeFlight is not an accredited school, but has partnerships with programs at Embry-Riddle University and Thomas Edison State University.

Program length: The training schedule depends on the individual student’s progress and goals. Classes can be scheduled seven days a week.

Training offer: Recreational Pilot, Private Pilot ASEL, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot ASEL, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

Fleet: Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Diamond DA20, Diamond DA40, Piper Warrior, Piper Archer

Virtual learning: Yes. An online elementary school is available for students working toward their private pilot certificate. The full course is $359 or $30 per course.

When considering the options for where you would like to complete your flight training, you should not rush into the decision. It’s a big commitment, both financially and time-wise. Ensuring that the school you choose is right for you will make all the difference in your training experience.

Consider these factors before choosing a training program.

How much time can you devote to flight training? If you’re ready to work full-time, look for a school that offers a pilot career or Part 141 training. Part 141 refers to a subset of aviation regulations that allow a pilot to complete training in fewer hours. Training under these rules can often be completed more quickly than with other methods, but usually requires the student’s full availability.

If you prefer to fly part-time, look for a school that fits your schedule. If you ask about training expectations in advance, it will become clear early on whether the school is the right one for you.

Are you willing to make the long journey to get to the right school? Are you ready to move to another city or state? The right flight school may not be near you. The more flexible you are, the better your chances of finding the right training program.

Once you start training, you’ll probably be flying to this airport several times a week. Consider traffic flow at the times you travel to and from class. If the location is somewhere you’re willing and able to commute to regularly, your overall training experience will go much more smoothly.

A flight school is only as good as its resources and systems. When attending a flight school, ask about the fleet, instructor availability, maintenance and scheduling.

A good school doesn’t need a huge fleet, but does it have the people and processes to keep existing aircraft running? If your regular teacher gets sick or goes on vacation, is someone else available? If a problem is identified with an aircraft during preflight, how quickly will on-site maintenance be able to correct the problem?

While you should take your time making this decision, at some point you must take action. Once you’ve done your due diligence and checked out a few flight schools, choose one and get started. The only way to achieve your flying goals is, well, to fly!

How much does it cost to get a pilot’s license in New Jersey?

The average cost of obtaining a private pilot license in New Jersey is between $10,000 and $15,000. The total cost of flight training depends on the student’s individual progress and goals.

How do you become a pilot in New Jersey?