The FalKor Aviation Academy Commercial Pilot finish-up program includes:

• 20 hours in our glass-equipped Cessna 172S fleet
• 20 hours of flight instruction
• Approximately 10 regular flight lessons
• Two formal stage-check flights
• A 0.5-hour preflight and postflight briefing with every flight event
• Eight structured two-hour ground lessons
• Two formal stage checks
• Two hours of ground evaluation during each stage check

Stage-check aircraft and instructor time are included within the 20-hour flight estimate.

Stage I — Commercial Standards and Precision Flying

Stage I introduces the higher level of accuracy, consistency, planning, and professionalism expected of a commercial pilot.

Training includes:

• Commercial Pilot privileges and limitations
• Aircraft systems and performance
• Weight-and-balance calculations
• Weather analysis and risk management
• Professional checklist and flight-deck management
• Normal, short-field, and soft-field operations
• Slow flight and stall recognition
• Steep turns
• Emergency descents
• Simulated emergency approaches and landings

The focus is not simply learning new maneuvers. Students must demonstrate stronger aircraft control, situational awareness, judgment, and command authority than was required at the Private Pilot level.

Stage II — Commercial Maneuvers and Advanced Operations

Stage II develops the advanced maneuvers and precision-landing skills evaluated during the Commercial Pilot practical test.

Training includes:

• Chandelles
• Lazy eights
• Steep spirals
• Eights on pylons
• Power-off 180-degree accuracy landings
• Accelerated stalls
• Precision takeoffs and landings
• Navigation and diversion scenarios
• Automation and avionics management
• Commercial-level emergency procedures

Stage II concludes with the first formal stage check:

• Two-hour ground evaluation
• 1.5-hour flight evaluation
• Standard 0.5-hour briefing

Stage III — Checkride Preparation

Stage III brings the course together through scenario-based training, mock oral evaluations, and complete commercial flight profiles.

Training emphasizes:

• Consistent commercial-level aircraft control
• Commercial takeoffs and landings
• Power-off 180-degree accuracy landings
• Review of all performance maneuvers
• Emergency and abnormal operations
• Commercial regulations and pilot qualifications
• Aircraft systems, limitations, and performance
• Practical-test preparation
• Required instructor endorsements

The course concludes with a final stage check consisting of a two-hour ground evaluation, 1.5-hour flight evaluation, and standard 0.5-hour briefing.

The FAA Commercial Pilot–Airplane ACS evaluates the applicant’s knowledge, risk management, and proficiency across commercial-level aircraft operations. Applicable single-engine land tasks include the following:

Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds

• Normal takeoff and landing
• Soft-field takeoff and landing
• Short-field takeoff and landing
• Power-off 180-degree accuracy approach and landing
• Go-around or rejected landing

Performance and Ground-Reference Maneuvers

• Steep turns
• Steep spirals
• Chandelles
• Lazy eights
• Eights on pylons

Slow Flight and Stalls

• Maneuvering during slow flight
• Power-off stalls
• Power-on stalls
• Accelerated stalls
• Spin awareness

Navigation and Emergency Operations

• Pilotage and dead reckoning
• Navigation-system use
• Diversions
• Lost procedures
• Emergency descents
• Simulated emergency approaches and landings
• Systems and equipment malfunctions
• Emergency equipment and survival considerations

Commercial training is about more than staying within maneuver tolerances. Students must demonstrate sound judgment, risk management, situational awareness, and the ability to promptly recognize and correct deviations.

Applicants who enter with at least 230 total hours, have completed the required aeronautical experience, and train consistently can typically complete the Commercial Pilot program in approximately one to three months.

Commercial maneuvers require precision, repetition, and consistent practice. Extended breaks can result in lost proficiency and additional training.

For the best results, we recommend completing three to six flight and ground training sessions each week.

Completion time may vary based on:

• Applicant preparation
• Training frequency
• Prior experience
• Weather
• Aircraft availability
• Logbook deficiencies
• Individual proficiency

Estimated Course Investment: $6,980

This estimate is based on 20 hours of advanced commercial training in our glass-equipped Cessna 172S fleet, eight structured ground lessons, two formal stage checks, and preflight and postflight briefings with every flight event.

Applicants must begin the course with at least 230 total flight hours and complete a logbook review before enrollment. Additional flight time or training may be required when an applicant has not completed all FAA aeronautical-experience requirements or has not yet reached commercial-level proficiency.

This estimate assumes:

• 20 hours in the glass-equipped Cessna 172S
• 20 hours of instructor time during flight or supervised duties-of-PIC operations
• 10 regular flight lessons
• Two stage-check flights
• 12 total flight events
• A 0.5-hour briefing with every flight event
• Eight two-hour ground lessons
• Two two-hour ground stage checks

Stage-check aircraft and instructor time are included within the 20 flight hours.

Estimated Course Investment: $6,980

This estimate is based on 20 hours of advanced commercial training in our glass-equipped Cessna 172S fleet, eight structured ground lessons, two formal stage checks, and preflight and postflight briefing with every flight event.

Applicants must begin the course with at least 230 total flight hours and complete a logbook review before enrollment. Additional flight time or training may be required when an applicant has not completed all FAA aeronautical-experience requirements or has not yet reached commercial-level proficiency.

The Commercial Pilot program is designed as a finish-up course for experienced pilots entering with at least 230 hours of total flight time.

Unlike primary training, these applicants already have substantial flight experience. The final 20 hours focus on developing commercial-level precision, completing advanced maneuvers, refining aircraft control, and preparing for the FAA practical test.

The FAA requires 250 hours of total flight time and specifies several categories of experience within those hours. FalKor’s 20-hour estimate assumes that the applicant has already completed most of those underlying requirements—or that the remaining requirements can be completed during the course.

A pre-enrollment logbook review is required to determine whether the applicant qualifies for the standard 20-hour program. Pilots missing cross-country, night, instrument, technically advanced aircraft, pilot-in-command, or supervised-PIC experience may need additional flight time.

This course estimate covers the final commercial-training phase. It does not represent the total cost of progressing from a new student pilot to the Commercial Pilot Certificate.

Course estimates do not include:

• Sporty’s Commercial Pilot ground-school course, unless included with enrollment
• FAA Commercial Pilot knowledge-test fee
• Designated Pilot Examiner fee
• FAA medical examination
• Renter’s insurance
• Headset, charts, electronic flight-bag subscriptions, or other pilot supplies
• Time-building required before reaching 230 hours
• Missing cross-country, night, instrument, PIC, or TAA experience
• Additional instruction required to reach Commercial Pilot practical-test standards

Course estimates are provided for planning purposes and are not fixed-price guarantees. Final costs may vary based on applicant preparation, training frequency, prior experience, weather, aircraft availability, logbook requirements, and individual proficiency.

• Pay as you go (pay for each lesson as you complete them.)
• Discount "block time": Purchase 10 hours of flight time for a 10% discount. As long as you have hours on your contract, you just pay for the instructional time. 
• Program Financing. Finance up to 100% of your flight training, including deferred funding options via:
  • Stratus Financial. (Coming soon)
  • Affirm (Coming soon)
  • AOPA Financing https://finance.aopa.org/flight-training-finance 
  • Grant and Scholarship Programs: Click here

Before beginning the Commercial Pilot finish-up program, applicants must:

• Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating
• Be at least 18 years old before certificate issuance
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Have at least 230 hours of total flight time
• Complete a FalKor Aviation Academy logbook review
• Meet, or have a plan to complete, all applicable requirements of 14 CFR §61.129
• Complete the required ground and flight training
• Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot–Airplane knowledge test
• Receive the required practical-test endorsements

The FAA requires applicants to be at least 18, hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate, complete the required training and aeronautical experience, and pass the applicable knowledge and practical tests.

Instrument Rating

An Instrument Rating is strongly recommended before beginning the Commercial Pilot program.

Without an Instrument Rating, the Commercial Pilot Certificate will contain a limitation prohibiting the carriage of passengers for hire at night or on cross-country flights exceeding 50 nautical miles.

Medical Certification

• Applicants should hold the appropriate medical qualification for the training and practical test being conducted.
• At least a second-class FAA medical certificate is required when exercising Commercial Pilot privileges in an airplane (to work as a commercial pilot).
• A third-class medical certificate or another qualifying medical provision is sufficient for training and practical-test operations.

For a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, the FAA requires at least:

The required commercial flight experience also includes:

• A two-hour daytime cross-country flight exceeding 100 nautical miles straight-line distance
• A two-hour nighttime cross-country flight exceeding 100 nautical miles straight-line distance
• A 300-nautical-mile solo or supervised duties-of-PIC cross-country
• Landings at a minimum of three points during that cross-country
• One destination at least 250 nautical miles straight-line distance from the original departure point
• Five hours of night VFR experience
• Ten night takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower

These requirements are established in 14 CFR §61.129.

Having 230 hours of total flight time does not automatically mean that every FAA commercial requirement has been completed.

Before enrollment, FalKor Aviation Academy reviews the applicant’s logbook to verify:

• Total and pilot-in-command time
• Airplane and powered-aircraft time
• Cross-country experience
• Instrument training
• Complex, turbine, or technically advanced airplane experience
• Day and night cross-country training
• Solo or supervised duties-of-PIC experience
• Night takeoffs and landings

Missing experience requirements may require additional training or flight time beyond the 20-hour course estimate.