Flex Commercial Pilot Program

Flexible airline pilot career solution with all the training, resources, and career support you need to become an airline pilot. Schedule on your timeline with pay-as-you-train pricing, with no compromises. Receive all the ATP Essentials with the best training in the best aircraft and a Career Track™ to the airlines.

Start with any experience level, including zero time, and progress through airline-oriented training on a timeline that fits school, work, or life. You set the pace; ATP provides the structure and support. Progress through Private Pilot, Instrument, and Commercial certificates on a flexible timeline, then finish your certification in ATP’s fast track 9-week CFI, CFII & Commercial Multi program.

Located at the Norfolk International Airport, ATP's Norfolk, Virginia flight school offers aviation students in eastern Virginia professional commercial pilot flight training and an airline-sponsored Career Track™ from zero experience to 1,500 hours.

ATP is proud to have the highest ratio of airline placements to students of any flight school, aviation college, or aviation academy in Norfolk.

Aircraft. The world’s largest flight training fleet safely maintained by ATP's unparalleled nationwide maintenance department.

Time Frame. Fast track training – zero experience to airline pilot job in 2½ years, in most cases.

Proven Training. Airlines trust ATP trained pilots — proven by more graduates flying for airlines than from any other school.

Reputation. Professional airline-oriented training for over 40 years.

Cost. Fixed cost based on realistic flight times that exceed FAA Part 141 minimums — others quote a minimum cost.

Online Resources. Proprietary online training resources, including a comprehensive training library and interactive ground school webinar sessions.

Career Tracks™. ATP has Career Track™ to 38 airlines and corporate operators, backed by formal agreements and structured career progression.

Tuition Reimbursement. Airline-sponsored tuition reimbursement (if qualified) makes your goal more obtainable.

Nationally Awarded Instructors. The quality and professionalism of ATP instructors have been consistently recognized by AOPA and the National Association of Flight Instructors.

The Flex Commercial Pilot Program gives you the flexibility to train on your schedule and at your own pace. Start with zero time or with some experience, and earn your commercial pilot certificate on your timeline. If any solo flight time at ATP is required, you must first fly at least 20 hours at ATP with an instructor. Take the first step by calling 904-595-7950 to speak with a friendly ATP Admissions Advisor.

Train at your own pace with flexible scheduling you control — there are no minimum or maximum flight time requirements, and you can sign up or discontinue training anytime. Find the perfect balance between flight training, work, school, family, and other commitments.

The ATP Essentials Pass includes 5.0 hours of Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) instruction monthly.

Pay-as-you-train pricing. Pay $995 per month for the ATP Essentials Pass to unlock training resources, support, and program access. Then pay only for the flight, simulator, and ground instruction hours you schedule. There is no large up-front tuition, and you can cancel anytime.

Hourly rates at Norfolk (ORF). All-inclusive flight instruction $375/hour, simulator (AATD) instruction $175/hour and one-on-one ground instruction $85/hour. Your hourly flight charge covers your flight instructor, fuel, insurance, checkout fee, pre- and post-flight briefings, scheduling fee, checklists, supplements, and more.

Example scenario. A student completing the program at a consistent nine-month pace can expect a total cost of $95,605 (Private, Instrument & Commercial Single-Engine; 202 hours single-engine; 50 hours simulator; 63 hours Elevate ground school; 55 hours 1:1 instructor ground). This is an example scenario, not a fixed program price.

Additional expenses. Budget for a headset, iPad, flight bag, and third-party app subscriptions, and for practical and knowledge test fees paid directly to the examiner and third-party provider. To remain eligible for financing, students must log 10.0 hours of combined flight and sim events within each Essentials Pass period.

ATP Advantage Guarantee. If you discontinue before your first milestone, you pay only for logged flight time at $200 per flight hour.

Financing. ATP works with multiple lenders offering full financing for commercial pilot training, with loan payment deferment until you begin flying as an airline pilot. Loan amounts may include the cost of the program and living expenses incurred during training.

Federal student aid. Financial aid such as Stafford Loans and Pell Grants that can be requested through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) cannot be used to help cover the costs of flight training at ATP. ATP has partnered with Sallie Mae for private student loans covering the cost to attend ATP. For those seeking scholarships, tuition reimbursement is available through ATP’s airline Career Tracks™ partners.

After graduation, fly as a paid flight instructor to build the experience and flight time airlines require, and start gaining a return on your training investment. Establish your career with ATP’s exclusive airline-backed Career Tracks™; reach an airline pilot job in as little as 2½ years.

ATP reports over 1,210 graduate airline placements from the Airline Career Pilot Program and Flex Commercial Pilot Program in the last 12 months (as of October 2026).

Train on your schedule. The Flex Commercial Pilot Program lets you start at any experience level and progress through Private Pilot, Instrument and Commercial certificates at your own pace, with flexible scheduling you control and no minimum or maximum flight time requirements. You can sign up or discontinue training at any time.

What the Essentials Pass gives you. From day one the monthly ATP Essentials Pass unlocks ATP Elevate Private Pilot and Instrument Ground School, the Student Extranet and online training library, 5.0 hours of AATD instruction monthly, ground school support videos and a training bundle with books, study guides, a backpack and polo shirts. A Training Support Specialist provides one-on-one assistance to keep you on time and within budget.

Pay as you train. You pay the Essentials Pass plus all-inclusive hourly rates for flight, simulator and one-on-one ground instruction as you complete each event; there are no separate charges for briefings, renter's insurance, checkouts or scheduling. To remain eligible for financing, students must log 10.0 hours of combined flight and sim events within each Essentials Pass period.

Checkrides and travel. Private, multi-engine, instrument and commercial checkrides may be scheduled at a location other than your primary training center; ATP coordinates transportation and housing as necessary. Before the commercial practical test you complete 20-plus hours of airline-style Line-Oriented Flight Training, and if you have not trained in Technologically Advanced Aircraft you may travel to another center for up to two weeks.