13 Commercial Pilot Scholarships

Adventure awaits! If you’ve ever dreamed of soaring above the clouds, we have a treat for you. With the right commercial pilot scholarships, you can make your dream about flying into a reality. In this article, we’ll explore all the possibilities of commercial pilot scholarships, and you might just find the perfect one for you. So, get ready for an amazing journey of discovery, excitement, and possibility. We’ll be your guides on this thrilling adventure.

Commercial pilots are those who fly aircraft for commercial purposes, such as transporting passengers or cargo. They are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft, and they must have extensive training and experience to obtain their license. In addition to flying skills, commercial pilots must also have good communication and decision-making skills.

If you dream of pursuing careers in the aviation industry as a pilot you may want to consider becoming a commercial pilot. Of course, there are other types of pilots such as agricultural pilots, test pilots, military pilots, flight instructors, and emergency medical pilots. But commercial pilot offers the most lucrative opportunities. As a commercial pilot, you can fly for a major airline or become a corporate pilot and earn between $150,000 to $200,000 per year.

Aside from being the highest earners, commercial pilots gain a multitude of experiences from flying different types of aircraft and being on the air for longer hours. They also get to experience the full package that comes with being a commercial pilot, since they fly all the time, they get to visit many countries, meet many people, and behold some of the greatest sights in the world.

Being a commercial pilot is an adventure on its own and if you want to walk down this path, there are scholarships waiting to help make your dream become a reality. Since flight training schools are expensive, applying for commercial pilot scholarships will go a long way in supporting the cost of your flight school fees and helping you achieve your dreams.

To become a commercial pilot, you’ll need to go through flight training and earn your commercial pilot license (CPL). The cost of flight training can vary widely but typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000. The cost of earning your CPL depends on several factors, such as the type of aircraft you fly, the school you attend, and the number of hours it takes you to reach the required level of experience. So, becoming a commercial pilot is a significant investment, but it can be well worth it for those who are passionate about aviation.

Depending on the scholarship donor, the scholarships for commercial pilots may be fully or partially funded. There are also other scholarships that you can apply for to support the financial cost of your journey into the aviation field. If you are a female who wants to become a pilot, there are aviation scholarships and helicopter pilot scholarships specifically for you, and African Americans can apply for Black pilot scholarships.

commercial pilot scholarships

Commercial Pilot Scholarships

The following are scholarships for commercial pilots:

  • ACS Aviation Flying Scholarship
  • Helicenter Aviation Professional Pilot Scholarships
  • The Orcas Aviation Association (OAA) Flight Training Scholarship
  • COPA Scholarships
  • The Honorable Company of Air Pilots Flying Scholarships
  • Sir Geoffery De Havilland Flying Scholarship
  • EAA Flight Training Scholarships
  • Oregon Flight School Training Scholarships
  • Coffey County Flight Training Scholarships
  • Women in Aviation (WAI) Scholarships
  • Pilot Flight Academy Scholarship Program
  • Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Scholarships
  • Able Flight Scholarships

1.     ACS Aviation Flying Scholarship  

ACS Aviation is a flight training school based in the UK offering a variety of flight training programs to groom students to become pilots. The school is also offering scholarships to those who wish to undertake their flight training at the school but cannot foot the bill.

The scholarship will cover 10 hours of flight training towards a PPL, 12 months of membership, and a Bose A30 aviation headset. With a PPL you will be prepared to become a commercial pilot. Applying for this scholarship and receiving it will kickstart your journey into the aviation industry as a commercial pilot.

Scholarship Link

2.     Helicenter Aviation Professional Pilot Scholarships

Helicenter Aviation Ltd offers commercial helicopter pilot scholarships and flight instructor sponsorship. The company started awarding flight scholarships in 2013 and has awarded over £1m in training scholarships, sponsorships, and bursaries to helicopter pilots.

The commercial helicopter pilot scholarship is fully funded while the flight instructor sponsorship is also fully funded. It is open to individuals from every country but the training is in the UK.

Scholarship Link

3.     The Orcas Aviation Association (OAA) Flight Training Scholarship

Here is another free funding opportunity to help you realize your dream as a commercial pilot. The OAA scholarship awarded $4,000 each to two adults who aspire to become private or commercial pilots. To be eligible for this funding, you must be a resident of Orcas Island, pass a flight physical, and have a flexible work schedule. Selected candidates will be invited for an in-person interview.

Scholarship Link

4.     COPA Scholarships

The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) is offering four different scholarships namely; COPA Drone Pilot Scholarship, COPA Advanced Flight Training Scholarship, COPA New Wings Scholarships, and Neij K. Armstrong. You can apply for any of these scholarships and use the money for your commercial pilot training program.

Each of these scholarships has its specific requirements and you can apply for them however, you must have completed high school and be at least 16 years older.

Scholarship Link

5.     The Honorable Company of Air Pilots Flying Scholarships

Here is a scholarship opportunity that will prepare you to become a commercial pilot and it is offered by the Honorable Company of Air Pilots.

The Honorable Company provides financial assistance to those whose dream is to become pilots and also to pilots who would like to get an advanced pilot qualification. The scholarships are made available every year during January and February for PPL(A), FIC(A), and the Gliding Scholarships.

Accepted applicants will be called for an in-person interview in London and the training will also take place in a UK training organization. Recipients of the scholarships are expected to demonstrate a very high level of commitment towards the flight training course.

Scholarship Link

6.     Sir Geoffery De Havilland Flying Scholarship

The Sir Geoffery De Havilland Flying Scholarship is offered by The Coachmakers, it is made available to a budding young aviator who wants to become a pilot. The scholarship is targeted at young people who love vintage and historic aerospace, teaching them to fly in such an iconic vintage airplane as the Tiger Moth. No prior experience is required but you must have a keen interest in aviation.

The scholarship can be your stepping stone to become a commercial pilot. Applicants must be a resident of the UK and be between 18 and 35 years old. The scholarship value is £6,000. Application for the scholarship is online, short-listed candidates will be invited for an in-person interview at the Cambridge Flying Group.

Scholarship Link

7.     EAA Flight Training Scholarships

At the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) your dream of becoming a commercial pilot can become a reality through the scholarships offered by the association. Every year, EAA offers scholarships worth over a million dollars to different individuals who would like to become pilots. The scholarships are donations by various donors and are awarded to those who show the greatest potential to be actively engaged in aviation.

The scholarship is applied to the cost of your flight training school anywhere in the US or Canada as long as it is not a university program. You must be a current EAA member to apply and be at least 16 years old. EAA Flight Training Scholarships is one of the best commercial pilot scholarships and it is not for only US citizens, individuals from every country are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Link

8.     Oregon Flight School Training Scholarships

Oregon Flight School offers four different scholarships ranging between $1,000 and $2,500 to aspiring aviators who are residents of Oregon. Each of the scholarships has its different requirements to apply and eligibility criteria that must be satisfied. However, you must be at least 16 years old to apply for any of the scholarships.

If you are a resident of Oregon who wants to become a commercial pilot, you may consider applying to Oregon Flight School to receive this scholarship.

Scholarship Link

9.     Coffey County Flight Training Scholarships

 The Coffey County Flight Training Scholarships are offered each year to one student from each district in Coffey County. The student must be a junior, interested in aviation, and be in good health. Also, the student must have good eyesight and be able to pay 20% of their training fees while the scholarship will cover 80% of the cost.

If you are interested in applying, you will have to pick up the application form from your school counselor, fill it and return it to the counselor. This is one of the best flight training scholarships for young high school students who wish to become commercial pilots.

Scholarship Link

10.  Women in Aviation (WAI) Scholarships

Every year, the Women in Aviation offer more than 100 scholarships to support women who want to pursue careers in the aviation industry whether as commercial or private pilot or as engineers. You must be a member of WAI to apply for this scholarship and if you are currently not a member, visit the page below to apply.

Scholarship Link

11.  Pilot Flight Academy Scholarship Program

Pilot Flight Training Academy (PFA) is a reputable flight school based in Norway and through its generous scholarship program, you can turn your dream of becoming a commercial pilot into reality without leaving a hole in your pocket. The scholarship will cover the entire cost of your tuition fees for the 18 months of the program therefore, you won’t ever have to worry about fees but concentrate on your training to become a world-class pilot.

This is one of the best commercial pilot scholarships because it covers all fees and it is open to individuals from all countries. To be eligible for the scholarship award, you must be between 18 and 34 years old at the start of the program, be between 150-200cm tall, have completed secondary education, meet the requirements to obtain a student visa for the US, submit a short motivational letter, submit a short selfie video, and pass the admission test for PFA.

Scholarship Link

12.  Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Scholarships

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum offers scholarships to support the financial cost of those who wish to pursue a career in aviation whether as commercial or private pilots or engineers. The scholarship amount or what it covers is not specified but it is awarded annually through the sponsorship of donors.

Scholarship Link

13.  Able Flight Scholarships

Able Flight Scholarships offers financial assistance to aspiring pilots to pursue their dreams without breaking the bank. There are three different scholarships namely; Full Flight Training Scholarship, Return to Flight Scholarship, and Career Training Scholarship. You can apply for any of the scholarships to kickstart a career as a commercial pilot.

Priority is given to disabled individuals who apply for the scholarship. To apply, you will need to complete the appropriate application form, as well as an essay on how you feel the scholarship would change your life.

Scholarship Link

Conclusion

Soaring above the clouds as a commercial pilot is an amazing and rewarding career. But it takes time, training, and resources to achieve that dream. Fortunately, commercial pilot scholarships can help you cover the costs of your education and make your goal a reality. With the right combination of determination and financial support, you can take to the skies and achieve your goals. So don’t wait – start exploring your options today.

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