Flight School Costs and Requirements
Each flight course requires the purchase of textbooks and other accessories. Textbooks for flight courses and certain pilot accessories are available for purchase at Saint Louis University Center for Aviation Science dispatch office.
In addition to textbooks, you may need to purchase a flashlight, aviation-approved headset, E6-B flight computer and approved navigation charts. New students should budget around $275 for textbooks and accessories during the first semester and an additional $350 for a headset.
Flight 2 Transition is mandatory for students entering the flight program and holding a FAA private pilot certificate.
Flight course tuition and fees include sufficient airplane, simulator and instructor time to complete all course requirements. In addition, a minimal amount of remedial time is built into each flight course. When you have expended your allotted time, you will incur flight course charges at an hourly rate.
The current rates for additional flight school training are as follows:
| Resource | Applicable Flight Courses | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond DA-20 Eclipse | Flight 1, Flight 2, Flight 3, Flight 4 and Flight 6 | $160 |
| Piper PA-28-181 Archer | Flight 4 | $235 |
| Piper PA-44 Seminole | Flight 5 | $295 |
| Advanced aviation training devices (includes instructor) | All flight courses | $125 |
| Instructor rate | Flight training | $50 |
| Instructor rate | Ground training | $50 |
Charges for FAA certification flights and FAA review flights are not included in student tuition and fees. Expenses incurred while obtaining FAA certification are charged at the published hourly rates. FAA certification exams are conducted by FAA examiners who do not work for Saint Louis University. Saint Louis University is not responsible for examiner fees. FAA certification must be completed prior to the expiration of the 141 graduation certificate or within 60 days.
The above listed hourly rates are subject to change. Contact the Center for Aviation Science for the latest rate information. Assessed charges for remedial training and FAA certification — except examiner fees — may be paid via your university account, credit card, check or cash.
| Flight Course | Credit Hours (as charged in the standard tuition charges) | Additional Flight Fees paid by Students 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| FSCI 1150 Flight 1 | 3 | $13,830 |
| FSCI 1550 Flight 2 | 3 | $13,830 |
| FSCI 2150 Flight 3 | 3 | $13,830 |
| FSCI 2550 Flight 4 | 3 | $13,830 |
| FSCI 3550 Flight 5 | 3 | $13,830 |
| Total for Flight Science Concentration | $69,150 |
Required flight courses for the flight science degree (flight science minor/major) if the student is a first-time, full-time domestic freshman and does have a private pilot certificate when beginning program:
|
Flight Course |
Credit Hours (as Charged in the Standard Tuition Charges) |
Additional Flight Fees paid by Students 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| FSCI 1560 Flight 2 Transition 1 | 1 | $6,915 |
| FSCI 2150 Flight 3 | 3 | $13,830 |
| FSCI 2550 Flight 4 | 3 | $13,830 |
| FSCI 3550 Flight 5 | 3 | $13,830 |
| Total for the Flight Science Concentration | $48,405 |
(1) This course is designed to provide a transition for holders of a Private Pilot Certificate into the curriculum and aircraft and will introduce them to commercial maneuvers. It will include the elements of airmanship, practical weather, and other cross-country skills.
Requirements to Begin Training
All students are required to have a current FAA – Second Class Medical Certificate to begin flight training. FAA medical certificates can be obtained from any physician authorized by the FAA to conduct FAA medical exams.
Find a list of FAA-approved physicians
Students pilots are required to obtain a student pilot certificate prior to solo flight. A student pilot certificate may be obtained at the time you receive your medical certificate.
Prior to beginning flight training for the private pilot certificate, instrument rating and commercial pilot multi-engine rating, students are required to meet Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements.
- For U.S. citizens, the TSA requires flight schools to verify a student’s citizenship. This requirement may be met by presenting a current U.S. passport or an official copy of your birth certificate with a government-issued photo ID to your instructor during your initial flight slot.
- For non-U.S. citizens, the TSA requires a background check and TSA approval prior to commencing flight training. For more information on this process, contact the Aviation Science Department.