Zero Time to Airline Program Overview

Train in the most modern, air-conditioned training aircraft in the country.

The Zero Time to Airline program is the best way to launch your airline pilot career.

This page will give you the details on our private pilot program including pricing, timeline, and what you’ll need to get started. After reviewing this information please click here to send us a text if you’re on your phone or give us a call at 972-735-9099. You can also reply to the email we sent you with your questions.

We can’t wait for you to fly with us!

Pricing

Below are the package prices for the Zero Time to Airline program.

Starting with Zero Time

SportCruiser

Sold Out

Cessna 172/Piper Archer

$94,995*

Starting with a Private Pilot

SportCruiser

Sold Out

Cessna 172/Piper Archer

$79,995*

*As of April 2022 there is a fuel surcharge in effect. These prices don’t include the current fuel surcharge.

What’s Included in the ZTA Program?

Certificates & Ratings Included:

Private Pilot Certificate
Instrument Rating
Commercial Single Engine
Commercial Multi-Engine
Certified Flight Instructor
Certified Instrument Instructor

Extras Included*:

Checkride Fees
Written Test Fees
25 Hours Multi-Engine Time
Program Shirts & Thrust Flight Satchel
All Pilot Supplies, Books, and Headset

*Most schools don’t include these.

Not Included in the Program Price:

Re-testing fees (only pay for retests), additional accessories (iPad (recommended), flight planning apps, etc.), renters insurance, 1st class medical and paper charts.

Zero Time to Airline® Timeline

With the Zero Time to Airline program, you could reach the regional airlines in 2 years or less. You’ll spend the first 10-12 months in the Zero Time to Airline program and then an additional 12-18 months building time as a flight instructor.

If you already have your private pilot certificate, the Zero time to Airline program typically takes 8-10 months to complete.

Months 1-2

You’ll complete your private pilot certificate in the first two months of the program.

Months 2-4

You’ll complete your instrument rating during months two to four.

On average, our students complete their instrument rating in 40 days so you’ll likely finish your private and instrument in less than 3 months.

Months 4-6

The next step is to complete your commercial certificate. This is what’s needed in order to be paid as a pilot. A large portion of this training will be time building with other students.

Typically students complete their commercial checkride in less than 6 months.

Months 6-7

You’ll next enroll in our sought-after CFI Academy where you’ll become a world-class flight instructor.

This program will help you take all the knowledge you’ve gained over the past 6 months and learn to teach it to others.

Months 7-8

Once your CFI checkride is complete you’ll enroll in the CFII Academy. This academy will build on the knowledge from the previous academy and utilizes the same group of incredible instructors.

Month 9

The final step in your Zero Time to Airline program is multi-engine training. You’ll learn to fly the twin-engine Piper Seminole and build 25 hours of flight time (the minimum multi-engine time required by the airlines).

Month 10

You’ve completed the Zero Time to Airline program and are ready to begin work as a flight instructor building your flight time to the 1,500-hour airline requirement.

Our Airline Partners

Our airline partners are interacting with you throughout your entire program with outreach programs and on-site visits. Throughout your training, you’ll visit with recruiters from our partner airlines and learn the benefits offered by each one.

As you progress through your program you will become familiar with our partners and be able to determine which airline is the best fit for you. Most of our partners offer interview opportunities and conditional letters of employment as early as the instrument level.

As an Envoy Cadet partner school, it’s also possible to join the cadet program if you become a flight instructor with us. This popular cadet program allows you to get a seniority number and become an employee of Envoy while you’re still building time as a flight instructor. You can learn more about the Envoy Cadet Program here.

New Student Checklist

The checklist below is intended as a guide only so you know what to expect in order to start the Zero Time to Airline program.

Before working on any of these items please speak with a member of our team so we can address any questions and guide you through the process.

Entrance Exam

Before collecting any of the documents below you’ll complete an entrance exam. This is an online aptitude test and personality test. This test does require a $200 admission fee and typically takes about one hour to complete.

1. Medical Certificate

Before you can enroll in the Zero Time to Airline program you must obtain your first-class medical. You’re required to have a first-class medical at the airlines so we want to make sure you can obtain one now before you begin this career training program.

Once you have your medical we’ll simply need a copy of it for our records.

If you don’t yet have a medical please speak with us before scheduling your exam.

How to Get a Medical Certificate:

Complete a Medical Application online using FAA MedXPress (don’t fill this out until you speak with us), the FAA’s online pilot medical tracking system. Print out your completed application.
Make an Appointment with an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner). This is a doctor that specializes in pilot examinations. Click here to find an AME near you. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we suggest:

Dr. Stephan Kramer – 972-731-9555

2. Document Signatures

During the onboarding process, there are several documents you’ll need to sign including our rental and services agreement, our Zero Time to Airline program agreement, and, if you’ll be staying in our housing, a housing agreement.

3. ID & TSA Verification

We’ll need is a copy of your government ID along with your birth certificate or your passport. These documents are used for TSA verification. If you’re a permanent resident please see the TSA Approval section below.

4. Aircraft Rental Insurance

Non-owned aircraft rental insurance is required for every student whether they’re flying solo or with an instructor. “Non-owned” Rental insurance may be obtained through Avemco Insurance Company by visiting their website or by calling 1-888-241-7891. Be sure to use the promotional code. “TF16”.

Insurance Coverage	Amount
Standard Bodily Injury	$25,000
Property Damage	$250,000
Non-Owned Aircraft Physical Damage/Liability	$30,000

*Non-Owned Aircraft Insurance can be either Single-Engine or Multi-Engine. Since you’ll be starting at the private or instrument level, you’ll be training in a single-engine aircraft so your rental insurance should initially be single-engine. When you reach the multi-engine training near the end of your program you can add-on multi coverage. Taking this approach will save you money on your rental insurance.

5. Pilot Certificate or Student Pilot Certificate

If you already have your private pilot certificate you’ll need to submit a copy.

If you’re joining us starting with zero time we’ll need a copy of your student pilot certificate. If you don’t already have one you’ll need to apply for a student pilot certificate.

To start the application you’ll go to the “IACRA” (or Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) website. IACRA is the FAA database that manages ratings for pilots, instructors, and mechanics.

You’ll have to create an IACRA account and apply for a Student Pilot Certificate. Then on the first day of your training, you’ll finish the application with your instructor. A temporary certificate (which may be used for flight training) will be emailed to you in roughly a week and the hard copy will be mailed to you in roughly a month.

*Example Student Pilot Certificate Back*

TSA Approval (Permanent Residents Only)

In order to flight train in the United States, approval is required through the Transportation Security Administration. You can begin the process by doing the following:
1. Visit www.flightschoolcandidates.gov and create a New Candidate Account (top right corner of the screen).
2. Complete the application using the following codes:

Course IDs:
Sport/Private=”101″
Instrument=”102″
Multi=”104″

Aircraft ID Codes:
Sport/Private=”CRUZ” & “C172” & “P28A”
Instrument=”C172″ & “P28A”
Multi=”PA44″

Once your TSA application has been submitted, you’ll be notified via email of the status and any further steps that may be necessary for you to complete. Once approved, you (and Thrust Flight) will be notified via email, and flight training may begin.

Housing

We offer housing to all our Zero Time to Airline students at both our Addison and Denison locations. When living in student housing you’ll be surrounded by other students all at different levels of training. This gives you the opportunity to study together, get help from one another, and learn from each others experiences.

These two bedroom apartments house four students, two per room. For those starting with zero time, housing is $7,000 for the 10 month period. For those starting at the Instrument level housing is $5,600 for the 8 month period.

Our student housing is fully furnished. All you will need to bring is clothing, toiletries, and bedding (beds are twin size).

What to Do Next

If you have additional questions or you’re ready to get started simply click here to send us a text if you’re on your phone or give us a call at 972-735-9099.

Common Questions About the Zero Time to Airline Program

Can I use the GI Bill to Pay for the Zero Time to Airline program?

Yes and no. The GI Bill can only be used to pay for the instrument rating and commercial certificate. However, the VA will only distribute a specified amount of money each fiscal year, and their fiscal year begins and ends in the summer. Because the Zero Time to Airline program is only 10-12 months, most students are unable to get money for both their instrument rating and commercial certificate. The other key to understanding the GI Bill is that you will still need to cover the cost of your training and then when it’s complete, be reimbursed by the VA.

Do you guarantee a job as a flight instructor?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a job at the conclusion of the program. We do, however, guarantee an interview after you’ve completed your CFI. And the majority of our flight instructors are former Zero Time to Airline students. You should remember though, that your performance and behavior, while you’re in the program, are also taken into consideration as we choose flight instructors to hire.