Flight Course Information

Get the information you need, as a new or prospective flight student about course registration, flight fees and other requirements.

Flight Course Registration

Flight Course Registration – Once admitted to Saint Louis University and the Flight Sciences Degree Program (or approved by the department for the Flight Sciences Minor), students may register for flight courses.  To register for a flight course, students must contact the Chief Flight Instructor for a flight slot.  Once a flight slot has been obtained, the student may register with the consent of their Faculty Mentor and Academic Advisor.  The Department of Aviation Science Secretary processes all flight course registrations. Students may not web register for flight courses.  New students may obtain a flight slot and register for their flight course during SLU 101.

Course Prerequisites – Except with the consent of the Department of Aviation Science, students will not be allowed to register for a department flight course without having completed all prerequisite coursework.  To complete the degree requirements in 4 years, it is important that students continue to make adequate progress in each flight course.

Flight Course Fees

Required Flight Courses for the Flight Science Degree (Flight Science Minor)

Flight Course

FAA Certificate

Credit Hours

Course Fees

Basic Flight I

(PP110)

Private Pilot –

Single Engine Land  (Pre-solo)

2 Credit Hours

$7,000.00

Basic Flight II

(PP153)

Private Pilot –

Single Engine Land

2 Credit Hours

$7,000.00

Intermediate Flight I

(PP210)

Instrument Rating

2 Credit Hours

$7,000.00

Intermediate Flight II-SE (PP254)

Commercial Pilot –

Single Engine Land

2 Credit Hours

$7,000.00

Intermediate Flight III-ME (PP352)

Commercial Pilot –

Multi-Engine Land

1 Credit Hour

$3,500.00

Totals:

 

9 Credit Hours

$31,500.00

 

Recommended Flight Courses for the Flight Science Degree (Required for the Flight Education Minor)

Flight Course

FAA Certificate

Credit Hours

Course Fees

Flight Instructor

Preparation I

(PP310)

Flight Instructor – Initial

Airplane Single Engine Land

1 Credit Hour

$3,500.00

Flight Instructor

Preparation II

(PP350)

Flight Instructor – Instrument

Flight Instructor – Multi-Engine Land

2 Credit Hours

$7,000.00

Totals:

 

3 Credit Hours

$10,500.00

Additional Training

Remedial Training (Associated Charges) – Flight course tuition and fees include sufficient airplane, simulator and instructor time to complete all course requirements.  In addition, a minimal amount of remedial time is built into each flight course.  When a student has expended their allotted time they will incur flight course charges at an hourly rate.  The current rates for additional flight training are as follows:

Resource

Applicable Flight Courses

Hourly Rate

Diamond DA-20

Basic Flight I & II,

Intermediate Flight I & II,

Flight Instructor Preparation I & II

$105.00

Piper Arrow PA-28

Intermediate Flight II,

Flight Instructor Preparation I

$150.00

Piper Seminole PA-44

Intermediate Flight III,

Flight Instructor Preparation II

$175.00

Advanced Aviation Training Devices (F141, F142, MFD)

All Flight Courses

$65.00

Instructor Rate

All Flight Courses

$25.00

 

FAA Check Rides & Review Flights – Charges for FAA Certification flights and FAA review flights are not included in student tuition and fees.  Expenses incurred while obtaining FAA certification are charged at the published hourly rates.  FAA certification exams are conducted by FAA examiners who do not work for Saint Louis University. Saint Louis University is not responsible for examiner fees.  FAA certification must be completed prior to the expiration of the 141 graduation certificate (60 days).

The above listed hourly rates are periodically subject to change.  Please contact the Center for Aviation Science for the latest rate information.  Assessed charges for remedial training and FAA certification (except examiner fees) may be paid via a student’s university account, credit card, check or cash.

Prior to Starting Training

FAA Physical – All students are required to have a current FAA – Second Class Medical Certificate to begin flight training.  FAA medical certificates may be obtained from any physician authorized by the FAA to conduct FAA medical exams.  A current listing of physicians approved by the FAA may be found on the FAA’s website, faa.gov, under Licenses & Certificates – Medical Certification – Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner.

Student Pilot Certificate – Students pilots are required to obtain a Student Pilot Certificate prior to solo flight.  A Student Pilot Certificate may be obtained at the time a student receives their medical certificate.

TSA Requirements – Prior to beginning flight training for the Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Multi-Engine Rating, students are required to meet TSA requirements. 

  • For U.S. Citizens, the TSA requires flight schools to verify a student’s citizenship.  This requirement may be met by presenting a current US Passport or an official copy of the student’s Birth Certificate with a government issued photo ID to their instructor during their initial flight slot.
  • For Non-U.S. Citizens, the TSA requires a background check and TSA approval prior to commencing flight training.  Students requiring more information on this process should contact the Aviation Science Department or reference www.flightschoolcandidates.gov.

Books and Accessories

Each flight course requires the purchase of certain textbooks and other accessories.  Textbooks for flight courses and certain pilot accessories (including headsets) are available for purchase at the Center for Aviation Science dispatch office.  In addition to textbooks, students will typically require a flashlight, aviation approved headset, E6-B flight computer, and approved navigation charts.   New students should budget around $175.00 for textbooks and accessories during the first semester and an additional $100.00-$300.00 for a headset. 

Student Records

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), 20 U.S. C. § 1232g, as amended, is a federal law giving certain rights to parents or students regarding education records at schools of every level receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Education.  At the postsecondary school level, the rights afforded by FERPA belong, in general, to the student rather than the parent.  In order for University Officials to disclose any student record information with a student’s parent or guardian, a current FERPA waiver must be on file with Saint Louis University

Student Access to Flight Training Records – Currently required FAA records are maintained using the Talon Systems, Education and Training Administration (ETA) software.  Upon enrollment in a flight course students will receive access to their flight training records via their ETA login.  Students are encouraged to monitor their flight training progress to avoid and/or anticipate additional flight course charges.

The Center for Aviation Science

The Center for Aviation Science is located at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, located at 4300 Vector Drive, Cahokia, Illinois, 62206 and can be reached at (314) 977-9569.                                                                                    

University transportation between the Main Campus and the Center for Aviation Science is available during the fall and spring semesters via hourly shuttles Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM through 6:35 PM.  Additional transportation is available during off hours and on weekends via SLU-Ride.

For additional information, please contact one of the following: