Future for Pilots
Secure your seat in a high-growth career. With a global shortage of 660,000 pilots, your journey from student to captain has never been faster or more rewarding.
Industry Demand
The Aviation Industry Boom and Your Future
The world needs more pilots. Right now airlines face a massive shortage of qualified captains and first officers. If you want a secure career aviation offers a bright future. The global demand for flight crews is growing fast. New routes are opening up around the globe. This creates a constant need for trained professionals.
Boeing reports a need for 660,000 new commercial pilots by 2044. Older pilots are retiring every day. Airlines are buying new planes to meet travel demands. This means massive opportunities for you. In the United States alone airlines will see a peak shortage of about 24,000 pilots around 2026.
Air travel is growing faster than the rest of the economy. After a brief slowdown airline hiring is rebounding strong in 2026. This creates a clear path for new students. When you start your flight training now you step into a market that desperately needs your skills. You do not have to wait years for a promotion. Airlines are looking for you today. You have job security from day one.
Earnings Potential
Command a
High Salary Fast
A career in the sky pays well. Very well. Traditional jobs often require decades of hard work to reach a six figure salary. As a pilot your earning power grows much faster. You get paid to do what you love.
When you finish your Commercial Pilot Training you can start earning money right away. Many students work as a Certified Flight Instructor to build their flight hours. As an instructor you can earn between $30,000 and $50,000 while gaining the experience you need for the airlines.
Once you reach the regional airlines the pay jumps. Regional airlines offer great benefits and travel perks. You get to see the country while you work. A starting First Officer can make $90,000 or more in their first year. As you build time and upgrade to Captain your pay climbs even higher. The median airline pilot salary is currently $226,600 per year. Senior captains can make anywhere from $130,000 to $450,000 annually.
You can reach these numbers faster by joining the Career Track program. This program takes you from zero experience to a professional pilot efficiently.
Financial Comparison
Pilot Training vs.
Traditional College
How does flight school compare to a traditional four year college? The numbers might surprise you. A traditional degree takes longer and puts you deeper in debt. Our Zero to Hero training gets you earning money much faster.
Year 1
College Path
You spend $30,000 on tuition, room, and board. You have no professional earnings.
Net: -$30,000 (Debt)
Pilot Path
You spend about $80,000 to earn your certificates. In just 12 months you become a flight instructor. You start earning $40,000 a year.
Net: -$80,000 (Invested)
Pilot Advantage: Pilot starts career immediately; College student still has 3 years of study left.
Return on Investment
The Hidden Costs of
Traditional College Degree
Many students think a four year degree is the safest choice. But the data shows a different story. College costs are rising and the return on investment is falling fast.
The average public college costs $124,000 over four years. When students graduate they usually carry between $32,000 and $36,000 in student debt. This massive debt weighs you down for years. Debt payments can take up 8 to 14 percent of your early paychecks. This makes it hard to buy a house or start a family. Many young graduates feel trapped by their student loans. They take jobs they do not like just to pay the bills.
Finding a job is also harder than it looks. About 45 percent of college graduates find a job in the first three months. But many spend 6 to 12 months unemployed. When they do find work the starting pay is lower than a pilot. The average college graduate starts at $69,600. Even science and math degrees only start around $77,000.
Why wait four years to start your life? why take on massive debt for a job that pays less? A career in aviation puts you in the pilot seat faster and with better financial results.
Your Next Step
Start Your Aviation Journey with
Summit Flight Academy
Your future depends on the quality of your training. At Summit Flight Academy we give you the tools you need to succeed. We operate under Part 61 rules. This allows for flexible and personalized training schedules that fit your busy life. We are located at the Lee's Summit Municipal Airport in Missouri. This location near Kansas City gives you access to great intersecting runways and real weather practice. You learn to fly safely in a supportive family environment. We recently broke ground on a brand new hangar to provide even more space for our growing fleet.
We fly a trusted fleet of Piper aircraft. Our planes use modern Garmin G1000 glass cockpits. This means you learn on the same digital screens used by major airlines. We also maintain all our airplanes in house. Our dedicated maintenance team keeps the planes flying safely so you face fewer delays. You can finish your Private Pilot Training and Instrument Rating on time. Safety is our top priority and we teach you the strict PAVE checklist to keep you safe in the sky.
We know that paying for flight school is a big step. That is why we offer flexible options to help you. Beginning in August 2025 you can even use 529 education savings plans to pay for your training. Learn more about how to pay for your education on our financing options page.
Are you ready to take control of your future? The sky is waiting for you. Experience the thrill of flight first hand.
Sources:
Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook 2025, Epic Flight Academy Airline Pilot Salary 2026, The Flying Engineer 2026 Salary Report, AeroTime and AviationCV Blog, EducationData and SoFi, ZipRecruiter Annual Grad Report, ThinkImpact 2026 Salaries, Hamilton Project
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Quick Start Guide!
Start your aviation journey with our comprehensive booklet. Learn everything you need to know about earning your pilot certifications and ratings at Summit.
