Pelican Flight Training is a 40+ year FAA Part 141 flight school at North Perry Airport (KHWO), Pembroke Pines, Florida. We offer the full ladder of FAA pilot certificates, from your first Discovery Flight to Certified Flight Instructor, with year-round flying weather and full F-1 visa support.
Whether you are pursuing aviation as a career or as a lifelong passion, our structured Part 141 and flexible Part 61 programs are designed around your goals, pace and budget.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates all civil aviation in the United States. As a certified flight training school with Part 141 approval, Pelican operates under the FAA's most structured curriculum, including stage checks, standardized lesson plans, and shortened minimum hours for commercial and instrument ratings.
Beyond FAA certification, Pelican is one of a small group of Part 141 schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) for its Professional Pilot Program (Airplane) and Professional Pilot Program (Helicopter). ACCSC accreditation validates the academic rigor of career-track training.
Every FAA flight school operates under Part 61, Part 141, or both. Pelican is certified for both, so you can choose the path that fits your goals.
Pelican's recommendation: if you plan to fly professionally, choose Part 141. If you want to fly for personal enjoyment with a flexible schedule, Part 61 works well. Either way, the FAA certificate you earn is the same.
| Program | Duration | Min. Hours | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot License (PPL) | 8 weeks | 40 hrs | $15,702 |
| Instrument Rating (IR) | 8 weeks | 36 hrs | $14,653 |
| Commercial Pilot License (CPL) | 10 weeks | 120 hrs | $32,004 |
| Multi-Engine Rating (MEL) | 3 weeks | +10 hrs | $6,461 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) | 10 weeks | 13 hrs | $10,030 |
| Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFII) | 4 weeks | 11 hrs | $8,677 |
| Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) | 4 weeks | 17 hrs | $9,229 |
| Professional Pilot Program (PPL to CFI/CFII/MEI) | 15 months | 246 hrs | $68,310 |
| Program | Duration | Min. Hours | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopter PPL (PPL-H) | 16 weeks | 36 hrs | $18,950 |
| Helicopter Instrument Rating (IFR-H) | 10 weeks | 36.5 hrs | $16,300 |
| Commercial Helicopter License (CPL-H) | 15 weeks | 80 hrs | $26,359 |
| Helicopter CFI (CFI-H) | 8 weeks | 17 hrs | $9,233 |
| Helicopter Instrument Instructor (CFII-H) | 3 weeks | 6.5 hrs | $5,956 |
| Professional Pilot Program H (PPL to CFII) | 18 months | Zero to CFI | $75,380 |
Not sure which program fits? Contact our admissions team for a free consultation and we will help you figure out the right path.
Pelican operates a modern training fleet from North Perry Airport (KHWO), a non-towered general-aviation airport in Pembroke Pines, just north of Miami. Our training aircraft include:
Here is the clearest path from zero flight experience to FAA certificate.
Review the full list of FAA programs on our flight training page. If unsure, book a free consultation with our admissions team. Popular starting points: Airplane PPL or the Full Professional Pilot Program. Helicopter PPL or Full Professional Pilot Program H.
Fill out the online application form. It takes about 5 minutes. You will provide basic contact info, program choice, citizenship status, and upload a copy of your passport or government ID. Our admissions team reviews your application within 24 business hours.
Once approved, you receive an enrollment contract and a Nonrefundable Enrollment Fee invoice. The enrollment fee reserves your seat and unlocks international document processing. We accept wire transfers, credit cards, and online payments. Contact admissions for any questions regarding payment.
Once the enrollment fee is paid and documents are complete, our Designated School Official issues Form I-20. You pay the SEVIS fee, book an embassy interview, and receive your F-1 or M-1 visa. Full details on our International Students page. Domestic US students skip this step.
Register on MedXPress and book an FAA medical with a local Aviation Medical Examiner. We help you schedule the appointment. International students also complete TSA Flight Training Candidate approval, which takes approximately 30 to 45 days.
Ground school covers aerodynamics, regulations, weather, navigation, and FAA exam prep. Flight lessons start immediately, typically 3 to 5 per week for full-time students.
You will sit a multiple-choice FAA Knowledge Test, then fly a checkride with a Designated Pilot Examiner. We schedule checkrides on-site at KHWO. Once you pass the checkride, you receive a temporary certificate the same day, with the permanent certificate mailed by the FAA. Continue with Instrument Rating, Commercial, or CFI.
Pelican is SEVP-certified to issue Form I-20 for F-1 and M-1 student visas. We currently train students from 50+ countries. Our International Students page covers visa process, housing, and TSA flight training requirements.
Country-specific pages with tailored guidance: South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, India, Turkey, Pakistan, Israel, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Egypt, Trinidad, Mongolia.
Students holding an ICAO/EASA license who want to convert to FAA can see our Conversion Program page.
Flight training cost depends on the certificate and training path. Here are Pelican's main price points:
For a detailed breakdown including exam fees, books, medical and living expenses, see the How Much Does It Cost to Become a Pilot article.
A Private Pilot License (PPL) takes 8 weeks full-time. The full Professional Pilot Program (PPL through CFI/CFII/MEI) takes 15 months full-time. Florida's year-round flying weather helps avoid the weather delays common in northern states.
No. A high-school diploma is the minimum requirement.
A third-class FAA medical for PPL solo, second-class for CPL, and first-class for ATP (airline captain). Pelican works with local FAA-certified AMEs in the Miami area.
Yes. Corrected vision to 20/20 is the requirement. Glasses and contacts are both acceptable.
Yes. Pelican is certified for both Part 141 and Part 61 training. Our Professional Pilot Programs (airplane and helicopter) are additionally accredited by ACCSC.
Yes. Pelican is SEVP-certified to issue Form I-20 for F-1 and M-1 student visas. Only Part 141 programs are F-1 eligible.
18 years old is the minimum age to start your training.
Yes. Many Pelican students train part-time under Part 61. Not available on F-1 visa / M-1 visa (full-time required).
Pelican Flight Training does not offer financial aid, scholarships, or student loans for US citizens or international students. We also do not accept GI Bill benefits at this time. We offer structured payment plans. Contact admissions for details.
1,500 hours total time to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, the FAA minimum for Part 121 scheduled airlines.
Primary training: Cessna 152 and Cessna 172. Complex/high-performance: Piper Arrow. Multi-engine: Piper Seminole. Simulator: ALSIM.
South Florida's climate is excellent for flight training, with frequent VFR-eligible days year-round. When weather does cancel a lesson, we reschedule promptly. Students often use these days for simulator and ground training.
Pelican does not operate campus housing, but we maintain relationships with local housing providers within 10 minutes of the airport. Typical cost is approximately $750 per month.
Submit the application form, upload your ID or passport, and our admissions team will review your goals and recommend a program within 24 hours.
FROM ZERO TO AIRLINE PILOT Commercial Pilot License in 10-15 months / Price $68,310 – Pay after visa approval
Get Commercial Pilot License based on 2 types of training visas M1/F1:
Foreign Pilot Conversion build 1500 hours of flight experience
Convert your ICAO / EASA license to FAA and take CFIs courses.
Become a CFI and build your flight expirience
Build 1500 hours airline hiring minimums.
Visa option: F1 – train, work, and gain experience in the USA
Learn more Start Flying
FROM PPL HOLDERS Commercial Pilot License in 10-15 months / Price $58,207 – pay after visa approval
Get Commercial Pilot License based on F1 Visa
All Programs airlane and helicopter programs
Need help?
Get free consultation with our school officer about your aviation career and find the best path to your goals.
Welcome to Pelican Flight Training, Florida's premier flight school offering one of the best training programs for pilots from around the world. We offer a structured program that will take you all the way from private pilot rank to ATP and airline readiness.
In this video, you'll learn what makes our flight school so special — the passion, the professionalism, and the world-class fleet of aircraft used for training. From your first flight to becoming a professional pilot, we will be with you every step of the way.
Take a look right now and see why training at Pelican isn't just about learning — it's about transformation.
Start Flying
Want to become a pilot? Get a free consultation today!
Fill out the form and get a free PDF guide: ‘Your First Steps to an Airline Career’!
We will be happy to personally assist you in making decision for your future airline career by providing you with all the information you might need and providing answers to all of your questions. Please complete the form, and we will be in touch with you soon.
