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, for both airplanes and helicopters, with 365 days of 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 qualifies eligible students for federally funded financial aid and validates the academic rigor of career-track training.
We also align our training with the principles and techniques codified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), making our certificates recognized globally and simplifying FAA-to-ICAO license conversion for pilots who plan to return home. See our ICAO/EASA Conversion Program for details.
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. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
Pelican's recommendation: if you plan to fly professionally (airlines, commercial operations, flight instruction), choose Part 141. If you want to fly for personal enjoyment and maintain a flexible schedule, Part 61 works well. Either way, the FAA certificate you earn is the same.
From your first 30-minute discovery flight to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor. Here is every FAA program we offer. Click a program for full details, curriculum, duration and pricing.
| Program | Duration | Min. Hours | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot License (PPL) | 3–6 months | 40 hrs | $14,155 |
| Instrument Rating (IR) | 2–3 months | +40 hrs | $14,653 |
| Commercial Pilot License (CPL) | 4–6 months | 190/250 hrs | $58,782 |
| Multi-Engine Rating (MEL) | 2–4 weeks | +10 hrs | from $4,900 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) | 1–2 months | - | contact |
| Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFII) | 3–5 weeks | - | contact |
| Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) | 3–5 weeks | - | contact |
| Professional Pilot Program (PPL → CFI) | 14–18 months | Zero to CFI | $83,950 |
| Zero-to-CPL for PPL Holders | varies | - | contact |
| Program | Duration | Min. Hours | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopter Discovery Flight | 30–60 min | - | $299 |
| Helicopter PPL (PPL-H) | 3–4 months | 40 hrs | $18,950 |
| Helicopter Instrument Rating (IFR-H) | 2–3 months | +40 hrs | $16,300 |
| Commercial Helicopter License (CPL-H) | 2–3 months | 150 hrs | $26,359 |
| Helicopter CFI (CFI-H) | 4–6 weeks | - | $9,233 |
| Helicopter Instrument Instructor (CFII-H) | 2–4 weeks | - | $5,956 |
| Professional Pilot Program H (PPL → CFII) | 14–18 months | Zero to CFII | $75,380 |
| Helicopter Add-On Rating | 6–12 weeks | 30–50 hrs | $18,950 |
Not sure which program fits? Start with an Initial Training consultation or a Discovery Flight. Both count toward PPL hours.
Pelican operates a modern training fleet from North Perry Airport (KHWO), a non-towered general-aviation airport in Pembroke Pines, just north of Miami. The location offers:
See our full aircraft fleet and Pelican's Miami location for details.
Here's the clearest path from zero flight experience to FAA certificate. The same 6 steps apply whether you're training for airplanes or helicopters.
Start with a 30-minute hands-on flight with a Pelican instructor. It counts toward your PPL hours if you enroll within 6 months. Helicopter discovery flights also available from $299.
Complete the application form, submit your ID, and schedule your FAA medical. See the full admission requirements.
A Class 3 medical is required to solo (PPL level). For commercial ratings you'll need Class 2 or Class 1. Pelican works with local AMEs in Miami.
Ground school teaches aerodynamics, regulations, weather, navigation and FAA exam prep. Flight lessons start immediately, typically 3–5 per week for full-time students. See our student life page.
You'll sit a multiple-choice FAA Knowledge Test, then fly a checkride with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). 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:
Flight training cost depends on the certificate, training path (Part 61 vs 141), and aircraft used. Here are Pelican's main price points:
For a detailed breakdown including exam fees, books, medical and living expenses, see How Much Does It Cost to Become a Pilot. For financing options and ACCSC-eligible aid, visit Admissions.
A Private Pilot License (PPL) takes 3–6 months full-time, or 6–12 months part-time. The full Professional Pilot Program (PPL through CFI) takes 14–18 months full-time. Florida's year-round flying weather lets you avoid the 2–3 month weather delays common in northern states.
No. A high-school diploma is the minimum requirement. Most US regional airlines hire with an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate and 1,500 hours (ATP), regardless of degree. Read Do You Need a Degree to Become a Pilot for a full breakdown.
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 Miami. The exam covers vision, hearing, blood pressure and general health.
Yes. Corrected vision to 20/20 is the requirement. Glasses and contacts are both acceptable. See Pilot Vision Requirements for detailed FAA standards.
Yes. Pelican is certified for both Part 141 and Part 61 training. Our Professional Pilot Programs (airplane and helicopter) are additionally accredited by ACCSC, which qualifies eligible students for federal financial aid.
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. See our International Students page for the visa process and country-specific guidance.
You can start training at any age, but FAA age requirements apply for certificates: solo at 16, PPL at 17, Commercial at 18, ATP at 23. Many of our students start ground school before their 17th birthday. See Maximum Age to Become a Pilot for upper-age considerations.
Yes. Many Pelican students train part-time (weekends and evenings) under Part 61. Completion times extend accordingly: PPL 6–12 months part-time vs 3–6 months full-time. Not available on F-1 visa (full-time required).
Yes. Our Professional Pilot Programs (airplane and helicopter) are ACCSC-accredited, which qualifies eligible US students for federal financial aid (Title IV). We also offer in-house payment plans. See Admissions for details.
Most career pilots train airplane first because airline jobs require an airplane ATP. However, if your goal is helicopter-only (EMS, offshore, tours), train helicopter directly with our Professional Pilot Program H. You can also add an Add-On Rating later.
1,500 hours total time to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, the FAA minimum for Part 121 scheduled airlines. Part 141 CFI pathway lets you log 1,000 hours as flight instructor and apply with an R-ATP (restricted ATP) at lower hours.
Primary training: Cessna 152 and Cessna 172. Complex/high-performance: Piper Arrow. Multi-engine: Piper Seminole. Helicopters: Schweizer 300C. Instrument procedures: Frasca simulator. See our full fleet overview.
Miami's climate is the best in the country for flight training, with around 340+ VFR-eligible days per year. When weather does cancel a lesson, we reschedule within 24–48 hours. Instrument students often use these days for simulator and ground training.
Pelican doesn't operate campus housing, but we maintain relationships with local landlords and student-housing providers within 10 minutes of the airport. See Accommodations and Student Life for details.
Submit the application form, upload your ID/passport, and schedule a free consultation. Our admissions team reviews your goals and recommends a program within 48 hours. Apply now to get started.
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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.
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