FAQs

 

What are the application and participation requirements?

Applicants should turn 17 years of age in the same year they start the PAC program. Applicants under age 18 must have legal guardian or parent approval to enroll. Students must be citizens or permanent alien residents of the United States with no history of felony criminal convictions. Excessive use of alcohol or use of most prescription drugs, all illegal drugs, marijuana or any cannabis-derived products (including CBD in any form) is strictly prohibited. Substance use violations are grounds for immediate expulsion.

Applicants must possess a valid class 1 or class 2 FAA medical certificate at the time of application, and they are expected to maintain their medical status throughout the duration of the program. Some medical certificates may be deferred 6 to 12 months or more, and students with deferred medicals will be admitted to PAC on a case-by-case basis. For more information on applying for an FAA medical certificate, please contact us. 

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What’s the job market for professional pilots?

Right now is an ideal time to start flight training. The pilot-shortage crisis that the industry faced in 2017, 2018, and 2019 was only paused briefly by the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for air travel slumped during the pandemic but bounced back to exceed pre-pandemic demand in 2023. With increases in baby boomer retirements amidst growing demands for pilots in traditional cockpits (manned aviation) and new aviation markets (unmanned aviation), pilot hiring is forecast to be stronger than any other period in history for at least the next decade. This is why aviation companies are paying higher salaries than ever before, and many of them are offering large signing bonuses that substantially offset the cost of flight training.

 

What is a typical career pathway?

Graduates typically either work for private or charter operators or as instructor pilots to build the 1500 hours required to earn an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license. An ATP license is required to work for most airlines, major cargo operators and corporate flight departments that operate jet aircraft. Flight instructors and new commercial pilots can expect to earn $40,000-$60,000 per year, and after 15-20 months of experience / hour-building, graduates typically move on to be First Officers at regional airlines or captains at charter flight departments, earning $80,000-$150,000 per year. Career airline pilots enjoy competitive salaries with comprehensive benefits packages, annual raises, union representation and travel perks for themselves and friends and family, and they can earn salaries over $500,000 within 10-12 years of joining a major air carrier such as Delta, American, United, FedEx, or UPS whose most senior Captains work only 10-13 days per month.

 

How are commercial pilots different from airline pilots?

Airline pilots fly scheduled passenger or cargo flights and must hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license, the highest FAA qualification. However, all pilots must hold a commercial certificate and an instrument rating prior to being eligible for the ATP license. The minimum experience for a commercial certificate is 250 flight hours, and the minimum for an ATP is 1,500 hours, so commercial pilots most often choose to work in private aviation or become flight instructors and work at a school teaching new pilots while building their hours before taking the ATP licensing exam. The ATP test is normally conducted by an airline in combination with a jet specific type rating after hiring.

 

Why choose this program over a 2-year or 4-year degree?

PAC is an accelerated, targeted, vocational program for aspiring professional aviators that is more flexible, less time-consuming and faster than the rigid, full-time commitment required for an associates or bachelors degree in aviation. Since PAC only requires 15-20 hours of work each week, high school students can dual-enroll in PAC while finishing high school. This allows them to enter the aviation workforce 1-2 years ahead of their peers, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional total career earnings. PAC is also designed to attract returning adult students looking for an exciting new career. PAC allows them to work part-time to pay bills while earning their professional flight certifications. Another unique feature of PAC is that it is not tied to an aviation degree, which allows our students to earn a degree in ANYTHING they choose while simultaneously earning their professional flight certifications. The result is a well rounded applicant with valuable skills beyond professional aviation. Many professional pilots maintain secondary careers or 'side gigs' outside of aviation, further increasing earning potential and broadening long term career horizons.

 

What is the training schedule?

Ground school will meet one evening per week for 3 hours, and each student will be assigned a flight block on first come, first served basis. Students will be expected to be at the airport every other day 15 minutes BEFORE the start of their flight block. The 8 flight block times are: Mon, Wed, and Fri (MWF) or Tues, Thurs, and Sat…early morning, late morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. 

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What is the attendance policy?

To promote successful program completion, students are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled flight time and 100% committed to flying at that time. Students unable to make their scheduled flight time are expected to notify their instructor at least 24 hours in advance. No call no show students may be charged a missed appointment fee. Make up flights will be conducted on Sundays subject to instructor and aircraft availability.

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Can I use my GI Bill/Veteran benefits?

Unfortunately, GI Bill benefits cannot currently be used for flight fees under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 61, but we are working to FAR Part 141 approval for the PAC program that will allow GI Bill benefits to be used for flight fees. 

 

What does a weekly schedule look like?

This program is built to maintain 9-12 hours of contact learning with instructors each week, and it is expected that students will spend at least another 6-8 hours of personal home study and flight preparation, for an estimated 15-20 hours per week on average. Students will spend three (3) hours in class one day per week. Additionally, students will be scheduled for three (3) 2.5-hour flight lessons each week. Ground school courses are scheduled according to the academic calendar: PPL in fall of year 1, IFR in spring of year 1, CPL in fall of year 2, and CFI / CFII in spring of year 2, but flight training is not as rigid. Flight training can start anytime, and PAC coordinators will work with your schedule to build a program that fits. Students will coordinate closely with their instructor on scheduling, and staying on track will require commitment to work around scheduling interruptions caused by weather and aircraft maintenance. Students should be prepared to make up cancelled flight lessons on any day of the week, including Sundays if required. Other outside commitments will need to be scheduled accordingly, and students must be flexible and ready to fly when the weather and aircraft availability allows.

 

How do I finance this?

Financing is available through a variety of private lenders, who specialize in flight training lending and are able to offer the most competitive rates. Please contact us for specific details.

 

Is insurance required?

Yes, non owned aircraft renters insurance is required, and is available for approximately $200 per year from several reputable underwriters. Please contact us for specific requirements.

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How do I learn more or APPLY?