Earning potential
$500K+
- Regional first officer
- $90–110K
- Regional captain
- $150–225K
- Major-airline captain
- $500K+
*Illustrative industry range. Varies by airline, seniority, equipment, and contract. Not a guarantee of employment or income.
The highest standards in flight training
Professional pilot training in San Marcos
Pilots can earn like doctors, work a schedule that has weeks off per month, and get to see the world doing it. Talk to a Coast advisor today to see if this career is right for you.
Why becoming a pilot is a great career
High Salary
The career that can earn over $500k per year*
Pilots Needed
There are more than 600,000 pilots needed by 2045*
No degree required
No college degree is required to become a major airline pilot.
Travel benefits
Travel the world with family and friends at little to no cost.
Work Fewer Days
Most careers are two weeks off a year. Pilots can get that every month*
Our graduates fly for the airlines.
The steps to becoming an airline pilot
- 01
Take an intro flight
Experience the world from the eyes of a pilot.
- 02
Start your training
Enroll in the Professional Pilot Program and start your aviation career.
- 03
Earn your ratings
Structured training that takes you through every rating to become an airline pilot.
- 04
Build your hours
Earn your instructor certificates and build toward your 1,500 minimum hours.
- 05
Fly for the airlines
Start your career as a pilot and live out your dreams.
Every flight certificate you will earn
*Timelines are estimates only. Real timelines vary student to student.
Private Pilot License
PPLYour first license when becoming a pilot. Requires a minimum of 40 flight hours.
2 to 4 monthsInstrument Flight Ratings
IFRIFR lets you fly by instruments alone in bad weather, clouds, and low visibility.
2 to 4 monthsCommercial Single Engine Land
CSELCSEL is the certificate that turns casual flying into a profession that pays.
2 to 4 monthsCommercial Multi Engine Land
CMELThe CMEL is the rating that allows you to be paid to fly multi-engine aircraft.
1 to 2 monthsCertified Flight Instructor
CFIThe CFI lets you teach and earn money while you build time toward the 1,500 hours the airlines require.
2 to 3 monthsCertified Flight Instructor Instrument
CFIIThe CFII is the rating that lets you teach students to obtain their IFR certificate.
1 to 2 monthsMulti-Engine Instructor
MEIThe MEI qualifies you to instruct students in multi-engine airplanes to get their CMEL certificate.
2 to 4 weeks (for a candidate who already holds CFI and CMEL)The journey to becoming
a flight instructor.
- Day one
First flight The start of your journey to becoming a pilot.
- Weeks 2–6
First solo The first time you fly an airplane solo.
- Month 2–4
Private pilot certificate You are officially a licensed pilot.
- Month 5–7
Instrument rating You can fly the airplane with instruments only — no visibility out the window needed.
- Month 8–12
Commercial & multi-engine Your commercial certificate and multi-engine rating. You can now be paid to fly.
- Month 10–14
Instructor certificates You can now teach students as you build to your 1,500 hours.
- Month 24+
Airline First Officer You have started your career flying for the airlines.
Why Choose Coast for flight training.
At Coast, you train like a professional from day one. We hold every student to the standard the airlines demand — flying a modern, in-house-maintained fleet in a disciplined, professional environment built around your success. It's rigorous training done right, so you earn more than a certificate: you become a safe, capable pilot for life.
Talk to an Advisor
The highest standards
Safety is our top priority, and world-class operations are a fundamental to Coast, giving you peace of mind throughout your training.
Modern fleet & facilities
Modern avionics, glass cockpits, advanced simulators, and training optimized facilities provide the ideal environment for personalized, one-on-one training.
In-house maintenance
In-house maintenance keeps more aircraft on the line, schedules consistent, and airplanes ready to fly.
One-on-one instruction
At Coast, you’re never just another number. You receive hands-on, one-on-one instruction and the personalized attention you need to succeed throughout your training.
It’s not just about cost
Cost matters, but your safety matters more. At Coast, you’re paying for maintained aircraft, experienced instructors, and a schedule you can count on.
A few of our 1,000+
graduate stories.
“I was able to come here with little time, little knowledge, and then I was able to make my way through the program within a year.”
“I hated being in an office every single day … Now I’m a First Officer with SkyWest.”
“I come from a humble family. There are no doctors or lawyers or pilots … to me, it was like a pinnacle. It was building a legacy for family.”
“Coast bridged my military time to the airlines — now I’m in the left seat of a 747.”
Who trains at Coast.
Our students come from all walks of life. If you have a passion for flying and want a high-paying career with a great lifestyle, training at Coast could be right for you.
Talk to an Advisor
New Pilots
To become a pilot, you don’t need a degree, prior experience, or an aviation background—just the aptitude, attitude, and the ability to succeed.
Talk to an Advisor
Quick answers.
Got questions? We've gathered the most common ones here, along with simple, helpful answers to guide you through.
01.Do I need any experience to start?
None at all. Most students begin with zero hours. Your first discovery flight is designed for complete beginners — a Coast CFI flies right beside you.
02.What is a discovery flight?
A short intro flight where you take the controls with a Coast CFI, see the aircraft and campus, and decide if flying is for you — before you enroll.
03.How long does it take to become a pilot?
It depends on your pace and goals. Many students reach their commercial certificates in 12–24 months; we'll map a realistic timeline on your call.†
04.What does training cost / can I finance it?
Cost depends on your starting point and how quickly you train. We'll give you an itemized estimate and walk through financing options on your Discovery Call.
05.Do you accept VA / GI Bill benefits?
Eligible programs and campuses accept VA funding. Tell us your situation and we'll confirm exactly what applies to you.
06.Which campus is right for me?
San Diego, San Marcos, or Dallas — we'll help you pick based on location, schedule, and your goals.