A SWISS airline airplane flying in a blue sky over snow-covered mountains.

Costs and services of the pilot training in Switzerland

Overview of all costs and services of the training in Switzerland

Facts on the training in Switzerland

Make-up of the training costs

In all phases of its training, the European Flight Academy places a premium on quality. We offer first-rate flight instructors with comprehensive practical experience, a modern and standardized fleet of aircraft and simulators, attractive training locations with excellent infrastructure, an ambitious training concept, and much more. The flights and transfer costs to Phoenix as well as accommodation on the ground are included in the training costs. A detailed breakdown of the costs is available here.

A view from the window of a SWISS airline airplane as it is taking off.

BASIC TRAINING COSTS FOR COMMERCIAL PILOTS IN SWITZERLAND (ATPL)

Training costs will become due in 3 rates before the respective training step:
Rate Time period Costs
1. Rate Phase 1: Basis Theorie; Phase 2: Advanced Theorie und Initial Flight Training 40.000 CHF
2. Rate Phase 3: Advanced Sichtflug und Initial Instrumentenflug 50.000 CHF
3. Rate Phase 4: Advanced ATPL Theorie; Phase 5: Multi Engine Training und Europäisierung; Phase 6: MCC 60.000 CHF
Total basic costs = 150.000 CHF*
*The cost contributions paid by the canton of residence under the laws governing scholarships pursuant to the Interkantonale Vereinbarung über Beiträge an die Bildungsgänge der höheren Fachschulen (HFSV, Inter-Cantonal Agreement on Contributions for Educational Programs at Technical Colleges) have already been deducted from the training costs.

Financing Options

Your options for financing

The training financing option enables you, as a Swiss citizen with a SWISS framework and loan agreement, to start your commercial pilot training without the need for your own capital.

Overview of the conditions for Swiss citizens with a SWISS framework and loan agreement:

  • As a Swiss citizen, you do not need to contribute any capital of your own.
  • You will receive a training loan from SWISS in the amount of CHF 90,000. If you contribute your own capital, you can also take out a lower loan amount. You can conveniently repay this loan, plus interest in accordance with the requirements of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA), from your pilot salary.
  • In addition, you will receive government subsidies of CHF 60,000. Further details can be found under Aviation Training Financing (VFAL).

Overview of the conditions for EU/EFTA citizens with a SWISS framework and loan agreement:

  • At SWISS, a personal contribution of CHF 24,000 applies due to the lower level of government funding through VFAL, as SWISS provides the same financing amount of CHF 90,000 for both Swiss citizens and EU/EFTA citizens.
  • You will therefore receive a training loan from SWISS in the amount of CHF 90,000. You can also take out a lower loan amount if you wish. You can conveniently repay this loan, plus interest in accordance with the requirements of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA), from your pilot salary.
  • In addition, you will receive government subsidies of CHF 36,000. Further details can be found under Aviation Training Financing (VFAL).
Three student pilots are walking through a hangar in front of the training aircraft.

The conditions for the Edelweiss funding programme are currently still being coordinated and will be published here shortly.

Services included in the training costs

A number of additional services are already included in the training costs of the training in Switzerland: Travel to the USA and uniforms are covered, as is student housing in the USA and Grenchen. In the table you can find a list of services that are covered by the training costs.

Theoretical instructions (not including housing)

 

Theoretical exam and licensing at the Aviation Authority

Learning tools and documents

Practical phase in Phoenix, USA (including housing)

Practical phase in Switzerland (including housing)

Access to Campus+ Platform

2. selection step: Lufthansa Group assessment center

Certification of voice radio competency for aeronautical radio service (AZF/BZF)

Language tests of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) / Recognized vocational education in Switzerland

Uniforms

Flights and transfer costs to the US / Phoenix

Services and costs before and during your training

1. selection step: certificate by the Deutsche Luft- und Raumfahrtzentrum (DLR German Aerospace Center)

Class 1 medical certificate of EASA/class 3 medical certificate of FAA*

Visa costs (USA)**

iPad***

*The medical must be issued in the country where the licence was obtained.

**EFA students apply for their US visa independently but receive support from the EFA Student Support team. Our staff are happy to assist with any questions. The regulations of the US consulates must be strictly followed. EFA has no influence over the process and assumes no responsibility for visa issuance.
EFA flight students are required to actively participate in the process. Further information about the US visa can be found at the following link:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study.html

***An Apple iPad 11" (A16, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 128 GB), including an Apple Pencil (USB-C) and a 20W USB-C power adapter, is mandatory for the training.

You can find several options for financing your pilot training in Switzerland on our Financing pilot training Switzerland page.

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