Florida Flyers Flight Academy is one of America's largest and most productive flight schools, training over 10,000 pilots since opening in 2007. Headquartered at Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine with a second campus in Venice, Florida, the academy issues more than 1,000 pilot licenses annually—averaging 3 new pilots passing checkrides every day. With FAA Part 141 approval, EASA ATO certification (one of only 5 in the USA), a fleet of 40+ modern aircraft, and a 95-97% first-time pass rate, Florida Flyers provides comprehensive airline career training for both domestic and international students.
Florida Flyers at a Glance
Zero to CPL+CFI
$65-85K
Complete program
Duration
10-12 mo
Full-time
Pilots Trained
10,000+
Since 2007
Pass Rate
95-97%
First attempt
School Overview
Florida Flyers Flight Academy was established in 2007 by CEO Rainer Pereira Da Silva with a mission to provide world-class pilot training at competitive prices. The academy has grown to become one of the largest international flight training providers in the region, with graduates now flying for over 60 airlines worldwide including American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest, Emirates, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic.
Key Credentials
- • FAA Part 141 approved flight school
- • EASA ATO approved (1 of 5 in USA)
- • SEVIS M1 Visa approved (international)
- • VA approved (GI Bill veterans)
- • Self-Examining Authority (in-house checkrides)
- • PSI FAA testing center on-site
Training Capacity
- • 40+ aircraft fleet across 2 locations
- • 50+ full-time flight instructors
- • 1,000+ pilot licenses issued annually
- • 25,000 sq ft maintenance facility
- • 350+ flying days per year
- • International offices: SA, Europe, India, ME
The academy's FAA Part 141 approval enables students to obtain Commercial Pilot License with minimum 111 flight hours versus 200 hours required under Part 61 training—saving significant time and money. Self-Examining Authority allows practical tests to be conducted in-house without waiting for external FAA examiners.
Training Programs
Professional Airline Pilot Program
Florida Flyers' flagship program takes students from zero experience to airline-ready commercial pilot with CFI ratings in 10-12 months. The accelerated Part 141 curriculum enables intensive training with flights available 7 days per week.
| Phase | Min Hours | Duration | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot License (PPL) | 35 hours (Part 141) | 4-8 weeks | Cessna 152/172 |
| Instrument Rating (IR) | 35 hours | 6-8 weeks | Cessna 172SP G1000 |
| Commercial Single-Engine (CSEL) | 55 hours | 6-8 weeks | Cessna 172SP G1000 |
| Commercial Multi-Engine (CMEL) | 21 hours | 3-4 weeks | Piper Seminole/Duchess |
| CFI/CFII/MEI | 25+ hours each | 8-12 weeks | Various |
Fast Track CPL: 111 Hours
Florida Flyers' FAA Part 141 approval allows students to complete Commercial Pilot License in just 111 flight hours—compared to 200 hours required under Part 61 training. This FAA-approved fast track program significantly reduces both time and cost to reach airline career milestones.
Individual Courses
- Private Pilot License (PPL): Foundation certificate for solo flight
- Instrument Rating (IR): IFR flight in low visibility conditions
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Single and multi-engine ratings
- Multi-Engine Rating (ME): Add-on for twin-engine aircraft
- CFI/CFII/MEI: Flight instructor certifications
- ATP: Airline Transport Pilot certification
- EASA ATPL: European modular training in USA
- DGCA Training: For Indian aviation authority requirements
Costs & Pricing
Florida Flyers offers competitive pricing with pay-as-you-go payment plans—no large upfront payments required. The academy also offers innovative flat-rate programs for predictable costs.
Program Costs (Estimated)
PPL
~$13,995
35-45 hours
IR
~$10,000
35 hours
CPL
$20-30K
Single + Multi
CFI/CFII
$5-8K
Each rating
Complete Program Pricing
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Zero to Commercial Pilot | $65,000-$75,000 | 6-8 months |
| Zero to Commercial + CFI | $75,000-$85,000 | 10-12 months |
| Professional Airline Pilot | ~$83,647 | 12-15 months |
Additional Costs
- FAA Written Exams: ~$175 each
- FAA Checkrides: ~$800-1,000 each (included with self-examining)
- Medical Exam: ~$150-200 (Class 1/2/3)
- Books & Supplies: ~$500-1,000
- Housing: Available through academy
- International Student Fees: Visa, TSA, health requirements
Financing Available
Florida Flyers partners with Stratus Financial and other aviation lenders to provide student loan options. Pay-as-you-go plans allow monthly installment payments after low initial deposit. No large upfront payments required to begin training.
Fleet & Facilities
Florida Flyers operates a modern fleet of 40+ aircraft purchased new from factory and maintained on-site by factory-trained technicians in a 25,000 square foot maintenance facility. The academy recently ordered 10 new Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft with deliveries through 2027.
| Aircraft | Qty | Avionics | Training Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 152 | 12 | Standard | PPL, time building |
| Cessna 172N Skyhawk | 8 | Standard | PPL, IR |
| Cessna 172SP Skyhawk | 6 | Garmin G1000 | IR, CPL, advanced |
| Tecnam P-Mentor (NEW) | 10 | Garmin G3X Touch | PPL, IR, CPL |
| Piper PA-28 Warrior/Archer | 3 | Avidyne EFIS | PPL, IR |
| Piper Seminole PA-44 | 2+ | IFR equipped | Multi-engine |
| Beechcraft Duchess BE-76 | 2 | IFR equipped | Multi-engine |
| Piper Seneca III Turbo | 1 | Advanced IFR | Advanced multi |
Simulators & Facilities
- Redbird FMX: FAA-approved AATD motion flight simulator with wrap-around visuals
- PSI Testing Center: On-site FAA written exam facility
- Modern Classrooms: Comfortable briefing rooms and ground school facilities
- Maintenance Facility: 25,000 sq ft with factory-trained technicians
- Aircraft Ramp: Located 50 feet from main building
10 New Tecnam P-Mentor Aircraft
Florida Flyers ordered 10 Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft in 2023 with deliveries through 2027. These state-of-the-art trainers feature Rotax 912iSc engines for lower fuel consumption and Garmin G3X Touch avionics matching modern airline cockpit technology.
Locations
St. Augustine, Florida (Main Campus)
The primary Pilot Career Center is located at Northeast Florida Regional Airport (KSGJ) in St. Augustine—America's oldest city. The campus is 50 minutes south of Jacksonville International Airport, offering excellent training conditions with controlled airspace experience.
- Address: 4730 Casa Cola Way, Suite 100, St. Augustine, FL 32095
- Airport: KSGJ - Northeast Florida Regional Airport
- Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, 7 days per week
- Phone: (904) 209-3510
Venice, Florida (Second Campus)
The second Pilot Career Center at Venice Airport in Southwest Florida provides additional training capacity and diverse airspace experience near the Gulf Coast.
International Offices
Florida Flyers maintains international recruitment offices in South America, Europe, India, and the Middle East to support students from around the world with enrollment, visa assistance, and pre-arrival coordination.
Career Pathways
Florida Flyers has established partnerships with regional and major airlines providing direct career pathways for graduates. The academy reports helping approximately 500 pilots secure positions with major airlines.
Airline Partnerships
- • Republic Airways (RJET Cadet Program)
- • American Airlines Cadet Academy partner
- • Envoy Air career pathway
- • SkyWest Airlines
- • United Airlines placements
- • Delta Air Lines placements
- • 38+ hiring partnerships total
Graduate Airlines (60+)
- • American Airlines
- • Delta Air Lines
- • United Airlines
- • JetBlue Airways
- • Southwest Airlines
- • Emirates, Qatar Airways
- • Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines
- • Virgin Atlantic
1,500 Hour Requirement
FAA requires 1,500 hours total flight time for ATP certification and airline employment. Most graduates build hours as CFIs. Florida Flyers' career services team monitors graduates' flight time and identifies pilot positions matching their experience. Direct pathway to Airbus and Boeing flight decks as First Officer upon reaching 1,500 hours.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
- Minimum 17 years old for PPL (18 for CPL)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- FAA Medical Certificate (Class 1 recommended for airline career)
- English proficiency (aviation is conducted in English)
- Valid government-issued ID
- International students: M-1 visa eligibility, TSA clearance
Enrollment Process
- Contact Academy: Call (904) 209-3510 or submit online inquiry
- Consultation: Discuss goals, timeline, and program options
- Medical: Obtain FAA Medical Certificate from AME
- Enrollment: Complete paperwork and initial deposit
- International: M-1 visa processing and TSA clearance
- Housing: Academy provides housing and transportation options
- Begin Training: Start ground school and flight training
International Student Support
Florida Flyers specializes in international flight training with full M-1 visa assistance, TSA clearance coordination, and housing/transportation options. The M-1 visa allows multiple entries during training. Students from 100+ countries have trained at Florida Flyers.
Official Website: flightschoolusa.com
Main Campus: 4730 Casa Cola Way, Suite 100, St. Augustine, FL 32095
Contact: (904) 209-3510 | Toll-free: 1-844-835-9335
Information accurate as of January 2026. Verify current pricing and availability directly with Florida Flyers Flight Academy.