Are you looking to take up a career as a pilot in Maryland in the year 2023? In that case, you must consider the requirements to apply to the best flight schools, colleges, or universities that train people to become professional pilots.
First of all, we’d like to inform you that you have chosen to become a pilot in Maryland. All you have to do is find the best flight school to obtain a degree, and then a license is the next significant step you should take.
We have therefore compiled a list of the top 10 best flight schools, colleges, and universities in Maryland in 2023 for you.
According to statistics by the Bureau of Labor, there would be a 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots from now till 2029.
The above is based on the need to replace retiring pilots and the rising demand for aircraft transport. The growth rate is indeed faster than that experienced by other occupations.
At the end of your read, you will be better informed on the best flight schools, universities, and colleges, how to choose a flight school, and the requirements to become a Pilot in Maryland.
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Is becoming a Pilot a promising career?
Becoming a Pilot is a good career choice. Many opportunities are opened alongside a high salary range available to a licensed Pilot.
However, you must first consider if becoming a pilot is your dream choice. This would incite all the strength and perseverance you need to succeed on the job.
Here are several reasons why you should consider a career as a Pilot;
#1. Being A Pilot Is Very Rewarding
In terms of salary for a Pilot, the initial stage of just starting may be shallow, but it doesn’t stay the same.
Over time, with more experience and exposure, your paycheck increases.
A Pilot is being paid up to $200,000 per year. This is not fixed, though; it depends mainly on the organization you’re working with.
#2. You Get To Travel Around the World for FREE
Being a Pilot exposes you to locations and parts of the world you had only seen on a map, depending on your work description.
You’ll get to see the lifestyle of different people and have a taste of cuisines peculiar to other cultures.
All of this comes to you for free, and sometimes other incentives like free lodging at five-star hotels and cash gifts are also part of the benefits you’ll enjoy as a Pilot.
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#3. You Enjoy Lots of Adventure
For someone who likes adventure, being a Pilot should bring great satisfaction to you. There is so much adventure that awaits a Pilot as he tours around in his aircraft.
On the other hand, here are some reasons why you should NOT be a Pilot.
#1. You Have Little or No Personal Time
A Pilot’s work schedule may demand that he stays away from his family for a long time.
His work schedule varies and is unlike a 9 – 5 job when there’s a determined time frame for work and closure.
#2. You Make a Large Initial Investment
Becoming a Pilot requires so much financial commitment due to the high rate of school fees needed to get a degree and a license. The school fees differ from one school to the other.
#3. There is Difficulty in the Employment
Pilots that are just starting may encounter some difficulty in getting employed immediately.
They would need to gain experience before any organization deems it fit to employ them.
Are there Flight Universities in Maryland?
There are about 4 best flight Universities in Maryland that offer courses in aviation. Aside from these Universities, we have other Colleges and schools in Maryland that run Aviation programs and have proven to give the best over time.
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How do I choose a Flight School to attend in Maryland?
Choosing a flight school to attend from among the best flight schools, colleges, and universities in Maryland requires considering some essential factors.
#1. Consider the Cost Implication and Financing
The cost of attending a flight school is relatively high, and it varies from school to school. You may want to consider the financial implication of each one to make a decision based on what fits into your budget.
Ask questions while checking the quote about any additional fees that may arise during your training so you can adequately prepare for them whenever they arise.
You can particularly look out for flight training costs, flight instructor costs, airplane rental fees, and flight test fees, amongst others. Other fees may come up depending on the license type you’re pursuing.
Ask questions!
#2. Consider the Location of the School
Verifying your desired flight school standard by visiting the location is essential; this could help you decide whether you’ll get the best learning experience.
There are several small regional flight schools in Maryland, but attending a flight school at a larger airport presents an advantage, especially if you’re looking to become a professional pilot and not just for leisure or other personal reasons.
Such a learning environment, like a larger airport, equips you with the skill of communicating with air traffic control, among other benefits.
As the FAA- Federal Aviation Administration proposed, this is vital for a professional pilot.
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#3. Does the School Have the Required Facilities?
It would help if you toured the flight school environment you’re considering.
In doing this, you can observe the learning environment to decide how much experience you’ll be exposed to. Check for modernized flight training devices like a desktop computer that runs an excellent flight-sim program such as X-plane.
Ensure that the school is up to the latest standard and has the necessary things in place for a great learning experience.
#4. Does the School Have FleetÂ
During your tour, you should look out for the nature and working conditions of the planes in the school.
Are they new and well maintained? Are they in good working order? What is the maintenance schedule like?
These are the questions you should have in mind while making a decision.
#5. Does the School Have a Safety and Reputation
Safety first! Ask about the safety conditions that are in place in the flight school. What is more important than having a safe feeling while training with them?
This also prepares you to work in companies where safety is of high priority to them.
Next, check the reputation of the school. Have they been able to produce high-level professionals over time? What level of qualification have they been able to attain?
You can seek reviews from past students of that school in this case.
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How Long Does It Take To Go To Flight Schools in Maryland?
The amount of time it would take to go to a flight school depends mainly on the particular license you’re going for, a private pilot, a commercial pilot, etc.
A minimum of 35 flight hours plus testing is required to qualify for a Private Pilot license.
A commercial pilot license requires 190 flight hours plus testing, while a Professional Pilot program requires a minimum of 1500 flight hours plus testing to obtain them. To gain the 1500 flight hours takes about 2 years.
So when considering the best flight colleges and universities in Maryland on our list, ensure to find out how long it takes to complete their program.
What are the Requirements to Become A Pilot in Maryland?
The essential requirement in high school is having a good understanding of Mathematics and physics.
Mathematical knowledge of algebra and even trigonometry is necessary for its application. The physics of flight and knowledge of the weather and system conditions are also fundamental.
You could consider obtaining a degree in any Aviation program first and then move to a flight school.
After your degree, talk to a career professional in aviation about how best to begin your flight training before you arrive at a decision. It would help you to have a clearer vision of what’s ahead.
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List of the 10 Best Flight Schools in Maryland
Here is a list of the e best colleges and universities in Maryland for flight education and the requirements to apply to each school.
#1. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public research university in Princess Anne, Maryland. It is known for producing professionals well equipped to succeed in their careers based on their high-learning standards and practices.
UMES offers a four-year bachelor’s degree program in aviation and is rated as one of the best flight schools in Maryland.
The average annual tuition and fees total begin from $19,000 to above. There are, however, financial aids that are permitted and offered to assist students with some additional fees.
#2. Ocean Aviation Flight Academy
Ocean Aviation Flight Academy is one of the best flight schools in Maryland for professional pilot training. The school is located in the resort area of Ocean City, Maryland.
The school is in a strategic position close to several large cities, hence offering a lot of opportunities for its student pilots. They offer courses to obtain a license as a Private pilot, Commercial pilot, Professional Airline pilot, Flight Instructor, and Instrument Rating.
All of these are at different fee rates depending on which program you are interested in. The Flight Instructor courses start from $5,000 – above, while the others at a fee of $12,000 – above.
Ocean Aviation Flight Academy accepts flight school scholarships and other financing aids. Still, it does not receive Federal student aid hence why it is one of the best flight colleges and universities in Maryland.
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#3. Navy Annapolis Flight Center
Navy Annapolis Flight Center is close to Washington, D.C., and provides easy access to most of the large cities on the U.S. East Coast.
The staff at Navy Annapolis comprises distinguished military instructors and International airline Captains with a great deal of experience in the Airline industry.
The cost of studying in Navy Annapolis is calculated per hour of aircraft lessons. They offer complete training from the basic knowledge of flight and flight safety to the more complex areas of flight.
#4. Community College of Baltimore County
The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is a public college in Maryland, U.S.
CCBC offers Air Traffic Control, Flight Management, and Flight Training degrees. It is an equipped flight school and has been training Aviation professionals for over 40 years.
Due to its strategic location in Baltimore-Washington, where a large concentration of aviation activity occurs, the students have a significant advantage of interning at a nearby airport and air traffic control facility.
CCBC Annual tuition fees start at about $22,000, which may include additional costs like Annual room and Board fees. An average time frame of about 2 years is enough for each course at CCBC.
They permit all forms of financial assistance like loans, grants, scholarships, and Federal student aid.
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#5. ATP Flight School, Baltimore
ATP Flight School is the largest professional flight training company in the United States. Its headquarters is located in Jacksonville, Florida, but it has over 73 training centers scattered all over 31 states in the U.S.
It initially began with a focus on providing flight training for U.S. military pilots but has now overgrown training many others to become professional pilots.
ATP has a record of being the leading supplier of professional pilots to the nation’s regional airlines. One of its training centers is located in Baltimore, Maryland, where the best training is given in the best aircraft.
#6. Dream Flight School
Dream Flight School is located at Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster, Maryland. The flight school was started in the year 2011 by Dream Aviation, Inc, which is owned by Jeremy Etzkorn.
At Dream Flight school, training is geared toward obtaining a private pilot’s license and other necessary training for already licensed pilots.
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#7. Harford Air Services
Harford Air Services is a flight school located in the heart of Harford County. At Harford, top-quality flight education is assured with well-maintained equipment.
They offer commercial pilot training, flight instructor training, and other services.
It is the only flight school in Harford County.
#8. Washington International Flight Academy
Washington International Flight Academy is one of the most active flight schools in the Washington, DC, area of Maryland.
They offer flight training for those interested in obtaining a Private Pilot’s license, a commercial pilot’s license, and an Instrument rating.
They are well equipped with expert instructors available to train the students.
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#9. Easton Aviation
Easton Aviation, LLC is a flight Training Center at the Easton Airport in Easton, Maryland. Also, Easton Aviation has been known for its professional flight training for over 24 years.
Their experienced flight instructors focus on giving each student the best training experience and an effective delivery system.
#10. Middle River Aviation
Middle River Aviation is one of the best flight schools in Baltimore, Maryland.
Their commitment to training excellent and experienced Pilots is top-notch.
Middle River Aviation offers flight training courses from the beginner level to becoming a professional Pilot.
The training can be done either as a full-time course or customized based on your availability.
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Frequently Asked Questions About How To Become A Pilot in Maryland
Are Commercial Pilots in demand?
According to statistics made by the Bureau of Labor, they project that there would be a 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots from now till the year 2029.
This is based on the need to replace retiring pilots and the rising demand for aircraft transport. The growth rate is indeed faster than that experienced by other occupations.
How Much Do Flight Schools Cost In Maryland?
The average costs of flight schools in Maryland include;
Private Pilot license : $6,500 – $12,000
Sport Pilot license: $3,000 – $5,000
Private + Commercial license: $10,000 – $16,000
Professional Pilot license: $5,000 – $12,000
How Much Do Pilots Earn In Maryland?
On average, Pilots in Maryland earn about $114,200 and above per year.Â
However, this is not the case with a Pilot just starting. A Pilot just starting could earn as little as $28,000 per year. His paycheck increases over time with more experience and exposure.
Must Flight Schools Be Accredited In Maryland?
Flight Schools in Maryland are usually accredited.
Conclusion
Becoming a pilot in 2023 is a great choice, and if you’re in Maryland, you have many options from the best flight colleges and universities in the state. Also, consider the requirements to apply to the flight schools in Maryland. Visit the school’s website for more info.
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