Sunstate Powered by Academy of Aviation Commercial Pilot Programs

Beyond AOA

Former AOA trainees and CFIs, Capt. Rejaul Rajib and First Officer Eric Riker, share the cockpit of a Republic Airways flight out of LaGuardia on Jan. 14, 2022. #flyaoa

AOA Certified

AOA certified pilots and flight crew out of Chicago O'Hare: Rejaul Rajib in the left seat with Jamaal Simon closest to the camera. #flyaoa

AOA Awesome

Armand DeLalla successfully completes his Commercial check ride at AOA in Farmingdale with CFI Jalen. #flyaoa

Before You Begin:

• You must hold a Private Pilot Certificate with an Instrument rating.
• You must be 18 years of age or older. There is no maximum age limit.
• You must be able to read, speak, and understand English.
• You must hold at least a Third Class FAA Medical Certificate.

FAA Minimum Requirements:

The Federal Aviation Administration has established the minimum training time for the Commercial Pilot Certificate. They require a minimum of 250 total flight hours, of which at least 20 hours are with a FAA Certificated Flight Instructor and 10 hours of solo flight.

The flight time that you obtain while training for your Private Pilot Certificate and Instrument Rating, as well as any other flight time you might obtain along the way, can be applied to the 250 hours of total flight time required.

How Long Will It Really Take?

Most new pilots do not complete their training in the 20 hours of minimum time with the flight instructor. This is due to a number of reasons but the most significant is how often that a person flies. The less frequently you fly the longer skills take to develop. The more frequently you fly the faster these skills will develop.

If you fly two to three times a week, you will minimize the amount of flight time required to obtain the Commercial Pilot Certificate. At this pace it will take approximately 5 to 6 months to complete the training and approximately 40 to 50 flight hours with the flight instructor and 10 hours of solo flight assuming you start the training with at least 200 hours total flight time.

Competitor Price

Part 61: Variable training time, higher costs.

• Piper Archer Basic Trainer
• Part 61 Only - No FAA oversight and training largely based on self-study.
• CFIs are independent contractors.
• Multi Engine Fleet: Piper Seminole
• Advertises a "Reserved Loan," but contrary to our competition's claims, we too can help you obtain financing as a Sallie Mae Approved provider.
• * +$3,000 in CA, MA, NY; +$2,000 in CT, MD, NJ, OR, WA, DC Area.