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Rookie — Level I in numbers

Rookie — Level I: FAA pilot training from zero

Rookie is Level I of The Alpha Aviation Group’s Airline Career Pathway, for students with no prior pilot license. It includes training for six FAA certificates and ratings — from the Private Pilot License to instrument flight instructor (CFII) — plus the ATP-CTP course, under Part 61 at Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE). Standard price: $92,901.

Who Rookie is for and what you need

Rookie is for students who do not hold a pilot license yet, including international students — especially from Latin America. The FAA sets these basics in 14 CFR Part 61:

  • Age: 16 to fly solo as a student pilot (14 CFR 61.83), 17 for the private certificate (61.103) and 18 for the commercial and flight instructor certificates (61.123, 61.183).
  • English: the FAA requires you to read, speak, write and understand English (61.103). Alpha offers an aviation English course.
  • Medical: at least a third-class medical certificate from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner before flying solo (61.23). Commercial privileges need a second-class certificate.
  • TSA approval: non-U.S. citizens need Flight Training Security Program approval before flight training (49 CFR Part 1552).
  • Visa: for M-1 students, the Form I-20 is issued by a SEVP-certified partner flight school, and Alpha guides you through the process.
Airliners parked at the gate on an airport ramp

What Level I includes, with the FAA rule behind each step

The hours below are FAA minimums, not a forecast of your total or your calendar.

Certificate or ratingFAA ruleFAA minimum
Private Pilot License (PPL)14 CFR 61.10940 h flight time (20 h with an instructor, 10 h solo)
Instrument Rating (IR)14 CFR 61.6540 h instrument time (15 h with a CFII) and 50 h cross-country as pilot in command
Commercial Pilot, single-engine land (CPL ASEL)14 CFR 61.129250 h total flight time
Commercial Pilot, multi-engine land (CPL AMEL)14 CFR 61.63No extra hour minimum: training, endorsement and practical test
Flight Instructor (CFI) and Instrument Instructor (CFII)14 CFR 61.183Commercial certificate and instrument rating first, knowledge tests and practical tests
ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP)14 CFR 61.15630 h of ground and 10 h of simulator training; required before the ATP knowledge test

Each certificate ends with an FAA practical test (checkride) with an examiner. Enrollment does not guarantee a certificate.

Price, fees and what comes after

Alpha sells the Airline Career Pathway by entry level, not by single certificate. Rookie is Level I. Pilots who already hold licenses start at a later level — see the cost guide.

Level I payment options

  • Standard: $92,901
  • Financed: $95,553
  • Extended financing: $99,890

Financing terms are a payment schedule, not a training timeline.

Fees not included

  • Written exam: $175 per license
  • FAA examiner: $800–$1,200 per license
  • Medical certificate: about $130 per year
  • SEVIS fee: $350 · TSA authorization: $130
  • Living costs in South Florida: about $1,000–$1,500 per month

The full list is in the cost guide.

After CFII

U.S. airlines require an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate for both pilots (14 CFR 121.436), which generally takes 1,500 hours (61.159). Instructing is one way to build that time. The Student Agreement guarantees five interviews with U.S. commercial airlines when you successfully complete the Airline Career Pathway, subject to its conditions. Hours and a job are not guaranteed.

Rookie — Level I: frequently asked questions

I have never flown. Can I start with Rookie?

Yes. Rookie — Level I is the entry level for students with no prior pilot license. You need to be at least 16 to fly solo, 17 for the private certificate and 18 for the commercial certificate, read and speak English, and hold an FAA medical certificate before your first solo (14 CFR 61.83, 61.103, 61.23).

How much does Rookie cost?

The Level I standard price is $92,901. The financed option is $95,553 and the extended option is $99,890. Exam and examiner fees, the medical certificate, visa and TSA fees and living costs are not included — see the cost guide for the full list.

Which certificates does Level I include?

Training for six FAA certificates and ratings — Private Pilot (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Commercial Pilot single-engine land (CPL ASEL) and multi-engine land (CPL AMEL), Flight Instructor (CFI) and Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) — plus the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP). Each certificate ends with an FAA test; enrollment does not guarantee a certificate.

How long does Rookie take?

There is no fixed calendar. The FAA sets minimum hours, not durations, and your pace depends on progress, weather, aircraft and examiner availability. The months in the financing options are payment schedules, not training time. Admissions gives you the current plan for your case.

Can international students join Rookie on an M-1 visa?

Yes. For M-1 visa students, the Form I-20 is issued by a SEVP-certified partner flight school, and Alpha guides you through the process. Non-U.S. citizens also need TSA Flight Training Security Program approval before training (49 CFR Part 1552). Alpha does not provide legal advice.

Does Rookie get me an airline job?

No program can guarantee that. U.S. airlines require an ATP certificate, which generally takes 1,500 hours of flight time (14 CFR 61.159). Rookie ends at the flight instructor ratings. When you successfully complete the Airline Career Pathway, the Student Agreement guarantees five interviews with U.S. commercial airlines, subject to its conditions: an interview, not a job offer.

Other programs in the Airline Career Pathway

Related guides

Questions about your case? Contact admissions in English or Spanish.

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