4 leading flight schools training the next generation of global pilots

Every time you board a plane, you’re trusting the skills of a pilot who once sat where you are now, dreaming about taking control of the skies. To reach that point is a journey requiring licenses and certifications, supported by structured training and countless hours of practice.

Where you train plays a key role in shaping your future. Many students begin at one school but transfer later when the programme doesn’t meet their needs, costing time and money. That’s why it’s essential to choose a school that focuses on the quality of instruction, access to aircraft, and a strong safety record. These determine how ready you’ll be to carry passengers or cargo safely across borders.

Below are four flight schools that’ll ensure you achieve your ambitions and more.

Aerosur Flying School trains school staff and students to perform various operational and administrative activities with top-level professionalism. Source: Aerosur Flying School

Aerosur Flying School

At Carrasco International Airport in Uruguay, the hum of engines and the sight of planes taking off create the perfect backdrop for those dreaming of a career in the skies. This is where Aerosur Flying School, officially known as CIAC AEROSUR, guides aspiring pilots turn ambition into profession. Recognised as a Type 3 civil aeronautics training centre, the school is known for preparing students to meet the demands of a fast-changing aviation industry.

From day one here, they learn that flying is both a science and an art. Over the course of 10 months in Punta del Este, Intensive Commercial Pilot Programme students train following the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s standards in either English or Spanish. The course includes 200 hours of flight time, 420 classroom hours, and accommodation, making it a fully immersive experience.

Becoming a commercial pilot requires first earning a private pilot license and logging a set number of hours in the air. Students practise pre-flight operations, weight and balance calculations, and detailed aircraft inspections. Training extends to communication skills at controlled airfields, traffic patterns, and the crucial ability to avoid collisions.

The flying itself is rigorous. Students master stalls and recoveries, practise low and high-speed manoeuvres, and handle landings under various conditions. Night flights and cross-country routes, navigated by visual reference or radio navigation, sharpen their confidence and adaptability. The course also covers procedures for emergencies, from equipment malfunctions to disorientation in unfamiliar airspace.

With training at an international airport, in-house certification inspectors, and no restrictions for those who wear glasses, Aerosur Flying School is a top-tier option for anyone above 16 with ambitions to fly professionally.

Flight Training Adelaide offers world-class, tailored aviation training for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing pilots. Source: Flight Training Adelaide/Facebook

Flight Training Adelaide

Becoming a pilot is all about mastering knowledge, precision, and decision-making in a fast-changing aviation environment. At Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), you are trained to step into the cockpit as a future captain, with training programmes that pair theory and practice to match the demands of real-world aviation.

Located at Parafield Airport in South Australia, FTA has been a trusted name in aviation since 1982. Over the years, it has undergone various ownership changes, including those of Hawker de Havilland and British Aerospace Systems, before being acquired by Hong Kong-based Young Brothers Aviation in 2005. Today, the school continues to attract students from around the world who want a solid foundation for their flying careers.

As a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) -approved integrated flying school, FTA gives you the choice between fixed-wing and rotary-wing training. You can enrol in the AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) or the AVI50319 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter). Both are designed not only to get you licensed but to prepare you for success in the airline industry.

Your training combines face-to-face ground theory with practical flying. The Diploma of Aviation is divided into five modules, covering essential areas such as basic and advanced flying techniques, advanced flying manoeuvres and procedures, navigation, and night flying. You gain the skills to operate confidently in a commercial flying environment too.

These modules provide you with the required hours and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) theory credits to qualify for a CASA licence. If you want to build on this foundation, you can take the Advanced Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating) to strengthen your skills for more complex flying conditions. You can also opt to complete multi-crew cooperation courses, which help develop teamwork, communication, and technical skills for working within an airline crew.

The National Flight Centre Pilot Academy combines decades of aviation expertise, making it one of Europe’s longest-established, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) -approved flight training academies. Source: National Flight Centre/Facebook

National Flight Centre

Every pilot’s journey starts with a single flight, and at the National Flight Centre Pilot Academy (NFC), that first step can lead to the cockpit of the world’s top airlines. For nearly five decades, this academy has been shaping skilled aviators, earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most respected and established flight training schools.

If your goal is to fly professionally, the Commercial Pilot Licence course is where your training becomes truly career-focused. Recognised across the aviation industry, the CPL programme at NFC is built on high standards of instruction and a proven track record of success. Graduates are now flying for leading airlines as Captains, First Officers, Training Captains, and Type Rating Examiners.

The course begins with 15 hours of ground school that develops your understanding of advanced flight operations and decision-making. From there, you’ll complete 25 hours of flight training, starting with 15 hours in the Cessna 172 before progressing to 10 hours in the Cessna 172RG, an aircraft with retractable gear that sharpens your skills and prepares you for more complex operations. You’ll also dedicate 10 hours to instrument flying, learning to operate the aircraft solely by reference to the cockpit instruments.

Another 10 hours focus on navigation using dead reckoning, giving you the ability to plan and execute accurate routes at varying altitudes. Together, these experiences equip you with the confidence and technical ability demanded of commercial pilots.

Before you start, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, hold a Private Pilot Licence, complete a night rating, and pass your ATPL(A) Integrated Pilot Programme or CPL theory exams. A Class One medical certificate is required. With these foundations, you’ll be ready to step into the CPL programme and move closer to the career you’ve been dreaming about.

Epic Flight Academy, named a top flight school by Flying Magazine in 2024, became the largest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 141 flight school in the US in 2025 and is a leading Cessna Pilot Centre. Source: Epic Flight Academy/Facebook

Epic Flight Academy

Every pilot’s journey starts with a dream but turning that dream into a professional career depends on the training you choose. At Epic Flight Academy in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, you’ll find the guidance and structure to make it happen. Since 1999, Epic has been a trusted Cessna Pilot Centre, training thousands of students from more than 80 countries. When you join, you will be steeping into a global network of graduates flying for over 300 airlines worldwide.

Your path begins with Epic’s Commercial Pilot License (CPL) courses, recognised internationally and designed to meet FAA standards. Except for countries in the European Union that require dual EASA certification, your CPL training at Epic is accepted worldwide. You can choose between the Commercial Single-Engine (CSEL) and Commercial Multi-Engine (CMEL) courses, each preparing you to handle the complexities of modern aircraft.

One advantage you’ll notice right away is the ability to enrol directly after completing your Instrument Rating. You won’t need to spend extra time building hours before beginning your CPL. From the start, you’ll train in Cessna and Piper aircraft, practising the manoeuvres and procedures required by FAA Practical Test Standards.

If you take the CSEL Initial course, you’ll train in a Cessna 172 TAA, focusing on advanced manoeuvres like Chandelles, Eights-on-Pylons, and Lazy Eights. If you choose the CMEL, you’ll fly the Piper Seminole, a complex aircraft where you’ll master stalls, slow flight, and emergency responses. Many students follow up with the Single-Engine Add-On, further sharpening their skills in the Cessna 172.

Your pace depends on your commitment. Full-time students in the accelerated track often complete their CPL in four to six weeks, while part-time students usually take two to three months.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International