HELICOPTER:

The average student takes 12 to 18 months to complete all five ratings. Pilots who complete our program through Treasure Valley Community College will have a much more structured experience, while Silverhawk's Professional Pilot Program will provide you with the flexibility to finish at your own pace.

​

AIRPLANE: 

The average student takes 18 to 24 months to complete all five ratings. Silverhawk's Professional Pilot Program will provide you with the flexibility to finish at your own pace. 

HELICOPTER

The FAA requires a minimum of 200 flight hours to finish all five ratings, but some students will not gain the knowledge and competency required to pass in the minimum hours required. Hence, the difficulty to estimate the exact costs. The average student can complete the five ratings for $90,000; this estimation increases by about $20,000 for the degree program through Treasure Valley Community College. 

​

AIRPLANE

The FAA requires a minimum of 250 flight hours to finish all five ratings, but some students will not gain the knowledge and competency required to pass in the minimum hours required. Hence, the difficulty to estimate the exact costs. The average student can complete the five ratings for $65,000 to $70,000. The multi-engine program ranges from 10 - 25 hours.

You can finance through traditional student loans at Treasure Valley Community College, or you may find private loans through a variety of companies. For the Professional Pilot Program through Silverhawk, many students work with Sallie Mae. Visit  https://www.salliemae.com/ctsmartloan, fill out an online application, and receive your eligibility status within 24 hours.

Another great source for loans and scholarships is the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. You can get up to $25,000 of assistance through AOPA's Flight Training Funds program. Also, you will have access to many other sources and benefits by joining AOPA as a student pilot.

If you are interested in finishing or adding a rating and need financing on a smaller scale, there is financing through Pilot Finance.

Depending on what type of benefits you have you may be eligible for up to 100% coverage through the helicopter degree program. Check your benefit status here: www.ebenfits.va.gov

Our Professional Pilot Program (non-degree) accepts applications throughout the year. Our waitlist fluctuates depending on the location and training type. The degree program through TVCC has specific start dates each fall and spring. Please contact us for more information. 

Pilots must fly a minimum number of hours to be insurable for a particular job. One of the most common ways to acquire flight hours is to become an instructor; Silverhawk requires instructors to have a CFII rating. Unless you're applying for a specific job that requires only a Commercial license, you should plan on completing all five ratings.

While we cannot guarantee you'll be hired by Silverhawk Aviation Academy, we promise to help our CFIs reach their career goals by getting them out into the industry when they reach 1,000 - 1,500 hours. This creates a revolving door effect so that we may give new graduates an employment opportunity. 

Silverhawk has a great reputation in the aviation industry and our pilots are sought after. Graduates of the degree program will also complete a capstone course that covers job-hunting, resume writing, and interview skills.

HELICOPTER

According to salary.com, the median annual helicopter pilot salary is $102,500, with a range usually between $86,000 - $131,000. 

AIRPLANE

The median annual salary for a commercial airline pilot is $154,000, whereas other job positions have salaries closer to $99,000.

Our fleet currently consists of 13 Robinson helicopters:

• 8 - R22 (two-seat, piston engine rotorcraft)

• 4 - R44 (four-seat, piston engine rotorcraft)

• 1 - R66 (five-seat, turbine engine rotorcraft)

In addition, we have fixed-wing aircraft for training purposes in Caldwell and Ontario:

• 13 - Cessna 172 (four-seat, single-engine aircraft)

• 1 - Cessna Cardinal

• 1 - Piper Seminole (twin-engine aircraft)

Silverhawk has a limited amount of student housing available for $500 - $650 per month.  There are a number of apartment complexes and rentals in Caldwell, as well as surrounding cities in the Treasure Valley. An average commute from Boise, Idaho, to Silverhawk Aviation Academy is 35 minutes.

PROFESSIONAL PILOT PROGRAM:

You'll complete all five ratings required to be fully employable in the helicopter flight industry: Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII.

PROS:

- Completely self-paced, self-scheduled training program

- Takes an average of 12 to 15 months to complete

- Pay as you go

- College courses are not required

- Flexible schedule for students to work or take time off

- Accepts some types of VA benefits

CONS:

- Limited options for financing, i.e. Sallie Mae or private funding

- Loans through Sallie Mae have an average interest rate  of 10%

- No accredited collegiate degree earned 

DEGREE PROGRAM:

You'll receive all five ratings required to be fully employable in the helicopter flight industry: Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII, AND earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Science.

PROS:

- Students will obtain an associate degree in Aviation Science

- VA benefits are applicable up to 100%

- Wider range of financing options, typically with lower interest rates

- Financial aid is available, as well as Pell Grants

- Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are obtainable

- You will receive additional knowledge in the aviation field

CONS:

- Takes 18 months to complete the degree program

- Additional non-aviation courses are required for graduation

- Courses schedules are not flexible