At CESDA, we understand that studying to become a pilot is a significant investment. We help you find the best financing option so you can focus on what matters most: your education and professional future.

INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE

• Very high job placement: more than 92% of our students work as commercial pilots.
• Training endorsed by major airlines and the Official College of Commercial Aviation Pilots.
• Network of contacts and agreements with airlines.
• Official bachelor's degree recognized throughout Europe and allowing you to grow professionally. 

CHECK THE SERVICES AND PRICES OF THE DEGREE

In the following link you can download more information about the services and prices of the Degree.

SPLIT THE PAYMENT INTEREST-FREE WITH CESDA

You can split the annual enrollment fee into up to 9 interest-free installments. Download this file where we explain everything .

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS' EDUCATION

Click on each one to learn about the conditions, and if you have any questions, please email us at financiatusestudios@cesda.com and we'll be happy to assist you.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT YOUR STUDIES

Example of a bank loan and return on investment

Let’s take the example of someone who takes out a bank loan of €100,000 to study at CESDA and see how that loan can be repaid. We’ll also include the average expected salary when starting a career as a co-pilot in an airline in Spain, in order to compare expenses with incomes.

What follows is based on average values and serves as an initial reference guide. The next steps should be taken with the bank.

Let’s look at the basic loan data

What does “grace period” mean?

During the first 5 years you do not repay the principal; you only pay interest. After that time, the remaining balance (€100,000 in full) is repaid over the following 5 years.

Payments during grace period (years 1 to 5): approximately €416 per month ≈ €5,000 per year.

Repayment installments (years 6 to 10): recalculated to repay €100,000 + remaining interest in 60 months = €1,887 per month ≈ €22,644 per year.

Expected income of an average co-pilot

Let’s assume that CESDA training was excellent (with an average grade above 7.2) and the market behaves as expected (as explained in this blog post: How will commercial aviation grow from 2024 to 2043?). Under these conditions, we can assume it takes 12 months to find the first job, meaning the 5th year is dedicated to job hunting.

From the 6th year (newly hired), we use a national average of entry-level salaries (Vueling, Iberia Express, Air Europa Express, etc.).

The following chart makes it clear

Figure 1. Loan payments vs net income year by year. You can see the jump in payments after the grace period and how income exceeds those payments from the very first year of work. Initially, the margin is small, but it grows steadily. By year 10, the loan is paid off and net income continues to rise. The family provides support during the first 5 years, and from the 6th year onward, the graduate can contribute with part of their salary.

Practical tips for talking to the bank

When speaking with your bank, consider discussing the following points to help you negotiate better conditions:

• Partial grace period options: Some banks allow you to pay even €0 during the grace period (interest is capitalized). This reduces immediate pressure but increases the amount to be repaid later and the future monthly payment.
• Extend the repayment term: Turning the 5-year repayment into 10 or 15 years would cut the annual payment in half, at the cost of more interest. Ideal if the pilot expects to start in subsidiaries with lower salaries.
• Refinancing upon promotion: Once promoted to senior first officer (≈ €50,000 gross) or captain, renegotiating the rate or making early repayments can drastically reduce the total cost.
• Payment protection insurance: Unemployment/illness coverage to ensure payment in case of unforeseen events.

Is it worth it?

With proper financial planning, a €100,000 loan is manageable in a pilot’s career: the first 5 years require liquidity, but the average co-pilot salary allows you to take control and end the decade on a strong financial footing.

Disclaimer

The calculations presented here are estimates based on a 5% NIR and average co-pilot salaries in Spain. Each financial institution may offer different conditions, and each airline has its own salary scale. It’s advisable to request personalized simulations and consider individual tax implications. Job placement data is based on CESDA graduates since 2005.