Putting Flight School within Reach
Summit Flight Academy offers flight training loan and financing options through partnerships with Flight Training Financing LLC, and AOPA Flight Training Financing. These financing options make flight training affordable whether you're pursuing a pilot career or a personal goal. Our team guides you to the best financing or loan choice for your training and budget needs. Don't let costs hold you back, invest in your aviation goals through our financing partners. Apply online to get started or contact us for further inquiries.
Finance with Stratus Financial
Where Dreams Take Flight
For Pilots, By Pilots. Stratus Financial was founded by FAA Certificated Flight and Ground Instructors passionate about helping others achieve their aviation dreams.
Enhanced Support for Professional Training: Stratus Financial focuses on professional programs, they aim to provide even greater support and financial solutions for students committed to pursuing a career in aviation.
Student Requirements
- Must be a US Citizen/Permanent Resident.*
- Be enrolled in our Career Track Program.
- Paystubs for the past two (2) months.
- Bank Statements for the past two (2) months.
- Driver's License.
- Name & contact number of employer (for employee verification).
- 1st or 2nd class Medical Certificate.
- Co-borrower Recommended.
- Pilot Certificate, if applicable.
- Subject to Credit Check and Underwriting.
*If non-US citizen, TSA verification is required.
Loan Process
- Application
- Processing
- Underwriting
- Approval
- Funding
- Pilot Training
Stratus Financial
Frequently asked questions
What funding is available from Stratus Financing?
Stratus offers everything from full career track financing to financing for your next certificate or rating. Packages can include everything you need from supplies, checkride fees, etc.
Are rates variable or fixed?
Stratus offers a variety of financing options to meet your needs. When conditionally approved, you'll be offered multiple options.
Is deferred payment available? When does repayment begin?
One of the best benefits of Stratus Financing is the ability to defer payments while in training, if desired. Stratus also offers the ability to pay interest only while building your time to ATP minimums.
Do I need a co-signer?
Possibly. If you don't have assets to cover your loan and/or employment to cover the payments, often a co-signer will make it possible for Stratus to approve a loan for you. Once you apply, Stratus will review your application and advise of the need for a co-signer.
What are the repayment terms?
Stratus offers a variety of repayment terms. They will be offered to you upon conditional approval.Options include various repayment schedules, fixed or variable rates, etc.
How does my training get funded?
Stratus works directly with partner flight schools to provide funding directly into your training account. Flight schools agree to return unused funds in order to minimize your debt obligation.
Loans, Explained
How a Flight Training Loan Works
A flight training loan works much like other education financing: you borrow against the total cost of your program and repay it over time, rather than paying for each lesson out of pocket as you go. This is often the difference between starting training now or waiting years to save up. Whether you're working toward private pilot training or commercial pilot training, our financing partners can structure a loan around the program you choose.
Making the Decision
Financing vs.
Paying As You Go
Some students prefer to pay lesson by lesson, while others prefer the predictability of a fixed loan payment each month. Neither approach is wrong, it depends on your budget and how quickly you want to progress through training. Our team can walk you through both paths so you can decide what fits your goals, whether that's a full career track or a personal certificate.
