The Aircraft Single Engine Land Commercial Certificate is your first step toward your career in aviation. Pacific Skies Aviation offers you many paths to achieve your Commercial Certificate. Not only do we offer time building options in the less expensive Cessna 152, but we also offer the option to acquire Complex and High Performance endorsements in our TR (Turbo Retractable) Cessna 182.
What do I need to get my Commercial Certificate?
In addition to classroom study, the below diagram breaks down the minimum aeronautical experience a commercial candidate must have in order to take their commercial exam.
Complex Requirement
Commercial candidates must complete ten hours of complex training. This can be accomplished in a complex aircraft (retractable landing gear, variable pitch propeller, electric flaps), like the Cessna TR182. It is also possible to accomplish the requirement in a technically advanced aircraft.
Do I have to do my check ride in the Cessna TR182?
No. Commercial candidates are allowed to sit their Commercial check ride in a non-complex aircraft, provided the complex requirements have been met. The pros and cons of which aircraft to train in are detailed in our "Which aircraft is best for me" page.
How much will this cost?
There are many ways to achieve this certificate and meet the required time and experience requirements. Students can choose between the Cessna 172 and 152 as their primary training aircraft, as well as training at an accelerated versus non-accelerated rate.
Some students may come to Pacific Skies having most, if not all of their requirements met elsewhere. We have laid out the costing tables below to give you an idea of the minimum costs to expect.
Accelerated Commercial Training - Cessna 172 and Cessna 182
Students entering into the commercial program will need to meet the aeronautical experience requirements of the commercial certificate before taking their check ride.
When planning finances, students should consider whether the requirements have already been met, or they are moving through their training from Private, Instruments and then Commercial in relatively quickly and need to gain cross country and/or night aeronautical experience.
Non-Accelerated Training In a Cessna 152 - Regular Time (70 Hours)
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Sim | 5 @ $165/hr | $825 |
Dual | 60 @ $200/hr | $12,000 |
Solo | 10 @ $125/hr | $1250 |
Ground | 30 @ $80/hr | $2,400 |
Pilot Supplies | $300 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $17,675 |
Non-Accelerated Training In a Cessna 172 & 182 - Requirements met
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Cessna 182 Dual | 10 @ $260 | $2,600 |
Cessna 172 Dual | 10 @ $240/hr | $2,400 |
Ground | 15 @ $80/hr | $1,200 |
Pilot Supplies | $120 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $7,220 |
Accelerated Rates:
Cessna 172 $165/hr ($175/hr non-accelerated)
Cessna 182 $195/hr ($205/hr non-accelerated)
Instruction $80/hr
Non-accelerated Commercial Training in Cessna 172 and 182
Students entering into the commercial program will need to meet the aeronautical experience requirements of the commercial certificate before taking their check ride.
When planning finances, students should consider whether the requirements have already been met, or they are moving through their training from Private, Instruments and then Commercial in relatively quickly and need to gain cross country and/or night aeronautical experience.
Non-Accelerated Commercial Training - Cessna 172 & 182
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Cessna 172 Solo | 125 @ $175/hr | $21,875 |
Cessna 182 Dua | 10 @ $280/hr | $2,800 |
Cessna 172 Dual | 10 @ $250/hr | $2,500 |
Ground | 15 @ $80/hr | $1200 |
Pilot Supplies | $120 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $29,395 |
Non-Accelerated Commercial Training - Cessna 172 Requirements Met & 182
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Cessna 182 Dual | 10 @ $280/hr | $2,800 |
Cessna 172 Dual | 10 @ $250/hr | $2,500 |
Ground | 15 @ $80/hr | $1,200 |
Pilot Supplies | $120 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $7,520 |
Non-accelerated Rates:
Cessna 172 $175/hr Non-accelerated ($165/hr Accelerated )
Cessna 182 $205/hr Non-accelerated ($195/hr Accelerated)
Instruction $80/hr
Accelerated Commercial Training in Cessna 152 and Cessna 182
Students entering into the commercial program will need to meet the aeronautical experience requirements of the commercial certificate before taking their check ride. Â
When planning finances, students should consider whether the requirements have already been met, or they are moving through their training from Private, Instruments and then Commercial in relatively quickly and need to gain cross country and/or night aeronautical experience.
Accelerated Commercial Training – Cessna 152 & 182
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Cessna 152 Solo | 125 @ $115/hr | $14,375 |
Cessna 182 Dua | 10 @ $270/hr | $2,700 |
Cessna 172 Dual | 10 @ $190/hr | $1,900 |
Ground | 15 @ $80/hr | $1200 |
Pilot Supplies | $120 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $21,195 |
Accelerated Training In a Cessna 152 & 182 Requirements Met
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Cessna 182 Dual | 10 @ $270/hr | $2,700 |
Cessna 152 Dual | 10 @ $190/hr | $1,900 |
Ground | 15 @ $80/hr | $1,200 |
Pilot Supplies | $120 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $6,670 |
Accelerated Rates:
Cessna 152 $115/hr ($125/hr Accelerated)
Cessna 182 $195/hr ($205/hr Accelerated)
Instruction $80/hr
Non-accelerated Commercial Training - Cessna 152 and Cessna 182
Students entering into the commercial program will need to meet the aeronautical experience requirements of the commercial certificate before taking their check ride. Â
When planning finances, students should consider whether the requirements have already been met, or they are moving through their training from Private, Instruments and then Commercial in relatively quickly and need to gain cross country and/or night aeronautical experience.
Non-Accelerated Commercial Training - Cessna 152 & 182
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Cessna 152 Solo | 125 @ $125/hr | $15,625 |
Cessna 182 Dual | 10 @ $280/hr | $2,800 |
Cessna 152 Dual | 10 @200/hr | $2,000 |
Ground | 15 @ $80/hr | $1,200 |
Pilot Supplies | $120 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $22,645 |
Non-Accelerated Commercial Training - Cessna 152 & 182 Requirements Met
Training Device | Hours | Total |
Cessna 182 Dual | 10 @ $280/hr | $2,800 |
Cessna 152 Dual | 10 @ $200/hr | $2,000 |
Ground | 15 @ $80/hr | $1,200 |
Pilot Supplies | $120 | |
Knowledge Test | $150 | |
Checkride | $750 | |
Total | $7,020 |
Non-accelerated Rates:
Cessna 152 $125/hr ($115/hr Accelerated)
Cessna 182 $205/hr ($195/hr Accelerated)
Instruction $80/hr