Fast Track Programs
Choose Your Path to a Flying Career
Two accelerated programs designed to get you flying professionally in under a year. Both include everything you need—no hidden costs, no surprises.
Compare Fast Track Programs
Both programs take you from zero experience to working pilot. Choose based on your timeline, budget, and career goals.
Fast Track CFI
Start Earning Sooner
Get your CFI certificate and start earning while you build hours. Add multi-engine or CFII later when you're ready.
Certificates Included
- Private Pilot
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot
- CFI
- CFIIAdd later ~$5,500
- Multi-EngineAdd later ~$5,000
- MEIAdd later ~$8,000
Highlights
- 260 flight hours included
- Lower upfront investment
- Start earning in 7-9 months
- Add ratings as you can afford them
- Flexible career path
Ideal For
- Budget-conscious students
- Those who want to start earning ASAP
- Pilots unsure about airline career
- Those who prefer pay-as-you-go
Fast Track Airline
Complete Package
The complete airline-ready package. Graduate with every certificate and rating you need for a regional airline career.
Certificates Included
- Private Pilot
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot
- CFI
- CFII
- Multi-Engine Commercial
- MEI
Highlights
- 300+ flight hours included
- All ratings included upfront
- Multi-engine time from day one
- Higher earning potential as instructor
- Direct path to airlines
Ideal For
- Committed to airline career
- Want everything done at once
- Prefer known total cost
- Want highest instructor pay
Why Choose a Fast Track Program?
Accelerated training gets you earning sooner and building hours faster than traditional part-time training.
Fly Yourself Anywhere
Skip the airlines and fly direct. A 6-hour drive becomes a 1.5-hour flight.
Take Passengers
Bring friends and family along for the adventure.
Fly Day or Night
With proper training, fly during daylight or after dark.
Fly Cross-Country
Plan trips to any of the 5,000+ public airports in the US.
Share Expenses
Split the cost of flights with your passengers.
Foundation for More
Your certificate is the foundation for advanced ratings.
Which Program is Right for You?
Choose CFI Fast Track if...
- You want the lowest upfront investment
- You want to start earning as soon as possible
- You're not 100% sure about the airline path
- You prefer to add ratings as you can afford them
- Budget is your primary concern
Choose Airline Fast Track if...
- You're committed to an airline career
- You want everything done upfront
- You want the highest possible instructor pay
- You want multi-engine time on your resume
- You prefer knowing your total cost now
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing between Fast Track programs
Can I switch from CFI to Airline track after I start?
Yes! If you start the CFI track and decide you want to add CFII, multi-engine, and MEI, you can add them individually. You'll pay slightly more than if you'd started with the Airline track, but you have complete flexibility. Many students start with CFI to get earning quickly, then add ratings as they can afford them.
Which program has better job prospects?
Both programs lead to excellent job prospects. CFI graduates can start instructing immediately at $26-28/hour. Airline track graduates can instruct instrument and multi-engine students right away, commanding $28-32/hour. For airline hiring, both paths get you there—the Airline track just includes multi-engine time upfront, which looks good on applications.
What if I complete CFI track and then want to go to airlines?
No problem! After CFI, you'd add: Multi-Engine Commercial (~$5,000), CFII (~$5,500), and optionally MEI (~$8,000). Total additional cost: $10,500-18,500. You can add these while working as a CFI, essentially paying for them with your instructor income. Many pilots prefer this approach.
How do financing options differ between programs?
Both programs offer the same financing options: pay in thirds (no interest), or finance through our partners (rates from 6.99%). The CFI track's lower price means lower monthly payments. For example, financed over 84 months: CFI track is ~$1,000/month, Airline track is ~$1,400/month.
Do airlines prefer Airline Fast Track graduates?
Airlines care about total flight time, not which program you completed. Both tracks get you to the same 1,500-hour ATP minimum. The Airline track gives you multi-engine time upfront, which is a slight advantage, but CFI graduates can add multi-engine hours while instructing. By the time you hit 1,500 hours, your path matters less than your total experience.
What's the real cost difference over time?
Upfront, the CFI track saves $25,500. If you later add CFII, Multi-Engine Commercial, and MEI separately, you'd spend roughly $18,500 more. Total: ~$88,000 vs $94,995 for Airline track. The CFI path costs slightly less overall AND you start earning 2-3 months sooner. The tradeoff: Airline track is simpler—one program, one price, everything included.
Still have questions?