Airline Pilot Training
Zero to 1,500 hours — with a guaranteed flight-instructor job and a direct pathway to the airlines.
Every hour, rating, and cost — on one dashboard
This is a proof-of-value program. Before you commit, see exactly what you get: the logged hours, the certificates earned, and the timeline to the flight deck.
10 Certificates & Ratings You Earn — Private Pilot to ATP
Full logbook breakdown — every hour, itemized
A granular, per-aircraft and per-activity view of your logged time. Single-engine, multi-engine, simulator and instruction hours — all itemized so the numbers add up to your total.
Airline Pilot Training at Van Nuys Airport — Los Angeles Flight School's Guaranteed Pathway
The most advanced and complete commercial airline pilot training program in Southern California.
If you're wondering how to become an airline pilot in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Flight School at Van Nuys Airport offers the most advanced and complete commercial airline pilot training program in Southern California. Our curriculum is powered by the Redbird MCX full-motion flight simulator, delivering ultra-realistic, motion-based flight scenarios that prepare students for real airline conditions from day one.
We operate the largest and most sophisticated fleet of training aircraft in Los Angeles, including single-engine and multi-engine planes. Our path takes you from private pilot through commercial multi-engine, meeting all airline licensing and flight-hour requirements to launch your career with confidence.
As part of our guaranteed airline career pathway, students who complete the program and reach 1,500 flight hours receive a guaranteed job offer, including a direct route to SkyWest Airlines, one of the nation's top regional carriers.
Our students consistently rate us 5 stars on Google and Yelp, citing our safe, structured, and fun training environment guided by passionate, career-focused instructors.
At only $179/hour for single-engine aircraft for enrolled students ($269/hour standard, wet — fuel included), our pricing is among the most affordable in the region — without compromising quality or safety. Ready to start your journey from student to airline pilot? Book your free in-person consultation at our Van Nuys Airport location today.
Train the fleet that gets you hired
We operate the largest and most sophisticated fleet of training aircraft in Los Angeles — from glass-cockpit high-performance singles to the multi-engine airplanes the airlines want you flying. Train in Diamond, Cessna or Piper at the same cost, with a premium Cirrus upgrade available.
Cirrus SR22 — fly the most advanced piston single
The Cirrus is a high-performance aircraft with a full glass cockpit and an airframe parachute — the premium training experience for students who want the best. Its all-glass Garmin avionics mirror the flight-management systems you'll use on the airline flight deck.
Available as an upgrade at any stage of your training, the SR22 lets you build advanced systems and cross-country skills in one of the safest, most capable single-engine airplanes flying today.
Diamond — the modern glass-panel workhorse
Our Diamond aircraft are maintained in exceptional condition and are a student favorite from day one — modern composite airframes with glass panels, superb visibility and a reassuring safety record. You can train in a Diamond, Cessna or Piper at the same cost and switch between them as you progress.
It's the aircraft most students fly for their Private, Instrument and Commercial single-engine work — efficient, forgiving and genuinely fun to fly around the Los Angeles basin.
Multi-Engine — the airplane the airlines want you flying
Every airline job requires multi-engine experience, and our Multi-Engine Rating adds twin-engine aircraft — essential for airline flying. You'll log 25 multi-engine hours and earn your Commercial Multi-Engine (CMEL) and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) certificates as part of the program.
Twin time is the currency of the regional and major carriers — and it's the bridge from your CFI job straight into the SkyWest pathway once you reach 1,500 hours.
What your $89,000 buys
Commercial Airline Pilot Program — Zero to Airline at Van Nuys. Every FAA certificate and rating, 250+ logged hours, full-motion sim time, and instructor hours — itemized, so you see the value line by line.
Itemized program value
Zero experience neededPrivate Pilot License (PPL)Included in your program — most schools charge separately |
Included |
Every rating, PPL → ATPInstrument, Commercial SE/ME, CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP |
10 certs |
250 total logged flight hours200 single-engine + 10 multi-engine, beyond FAA minimums |
250 hrs |
Redbird full-motion sim timeUltra-realistic motion-based scenario training |
50 hrs |
Flight-instructor timeOne-on-one dual instruction, aircraft & sim |
120 hrs |
Ground school & briefingStructured curriculum, exam prep, mentorship |
80 hrs |
Financing availableUp to 15 years · from $2,500 down · no co-signer |
Up to 15 yrs |
Every rating, one program
Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine and all your flight-instructor certificates — PPL through ATP in a single structured path.
Beyond FAA minimums
275 total logged hours and 50 hours of full-motion Redbird sim — more preparation than the FAA 250-hour minimum requires.
Airline placement pathway
A guaranteed CFI job to build hours, then a direct route to SkyWest Airlines and regional carrier interviews at 1,500 hours.
Financing made simple
Spread tuition over up to 15 years with as little as $2,500 down — no prepayment penalty and no co-signer for most applicants.
275 logged hours. 10 certificates. One flight deck.
From your first discovery flight to twin-engine time, every stage is tracked, structured and built to airline standards — not the bare minimum.
From consultation to the flight deck — 8 tracked stages
Program is roughly 9–11 months to Commercial / ATP-ready, then you build to 1,500 hours as a paid instructor. Follow the progress line stage by stage.
Consultation
Free · Day 1Meet the team, tour the aircraft, and get a personalized training plan.
Private Pilot License
~11 weeks · ~80 hrsYour first certificate and the foundation for everything that follows.
Instrument Rating
~9 weeksFly by instruments in any weather — a core airline skill.
Time Building
~3 weeksLog pilot-in-command hours to meet commercial requirements.
Commercial Single-Engine
~5 weeks · ~55 hrsEarn the certificate that lets you get paid to fly.
Multi-Engine Rating
~3 weeks · ~20 hrsAdd multi-engine aircraft — essential for airline flying.
Flight Instructor Ratings
~5 weeks · CFI/CFII/MEIQualify to teach — and to start earning while you build hours.
Guaranteed Instructor Position
Build to 1,500 hrsPaid CFI job → 1,500 hours → airline interview & SkyWest pathway.
From student to captain — the earning trajectory
From Zero Experience to Airline Pilot — Guaranteed Job Placement. One fixed all-in tuition unlocks a guaranteed paid instructor job, then a direct pathway to regional and major airline flight decks.
Guaranteed CFI job in Year 1
Every graduate is guaranteed a paid Certified Flight Instructor position at Los Angeles Flight School — so you start earning (~$48,000/yr) while you build the 1,500 hours you need for your ATP and airline interview.
The full pathway: Fixed all-in $89,000 → guaranteed paid CFI job (~$48,000/yr) → build to 1,500 hours → guaranteed airline interview → SkyWest / regional first officer → major-airline captain. Industry-leading job placement backed by regional and major airline partnerships and direct-hire agreements.
Estimate your monthly investment
Financing made simple. Move the sliders to see an indicative monthly payment — no countdown, no pressure, just the numbers. Most applicants qualify with as little as $2,500 down.
- Affordable monthly payments — terms up to 15 years
- Low down payment — as little as $2,500 down
- Flexible interest rates — fixed or variable
- No prepayment penalties
- No co-signer required (most applicants qualify)
Payment estimator
Indicative onlyEstimates are illustrative only, based on a fixed $89,000 program price and an 8.9% sample APR, and are not an offer of credit. Actual rates and terms depend on your application and lender. Talk to an advisor for a personalized quote.
Becoming an Airline Pilot at Van Nuys Airport
Comprehensive Airline Pilot Program in Los Angeles, California. Designed for aspiring aviators with no prior experience, this zero-to-ATP (1,500-hour) training program takes you from student pilot to fully certified airline professional in as little as 9 months.
Located at Van Nuys Airport, one of the world's busiest general aviation hubs, our program provides real-world flight training in a dynamic airspace environment. With job placement guarantees and financing options up to 15 years, Los Angeles Flight School is the best choice for those serious about becoming airline pilots.
Why choose Los Angeles Flight School
- Comprehensive training beyond FAA minimums275 logged hours and 50 hours of full-motion sim — more than the FAA requires.
- Industry-leading job placementRegional and major airline partnerships plus direct-hire agreements, including SkyWest.
- World-class FAA-certified instructorsPassionate, career-focused mentors guiding you one-on-one.
- State-of-the-art aircraft & simulatorsCessna, Piper and Diamond aircraft plus FAA-approved full-motion sims.
Loved On Google & Yelp
Answers before you enroll
Everything prospective airline pilots ask us most — from timeline to aircraft to financing.
The view from your first year as a paid pilot.
Zero to 1,500 hours, a guaranteed flight-instructor job, and a direct route to SkyWest Airlines — all from one all-in $89,000 program at Van Nuys.
Ready to become an airline pilot?
Talk to an admissions advisor today — no pressure, just answers.
Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9am–9pm