Professional Pilot Certificate
Let your aviation dreams take flight
Find your future at Academy College
Professional pilot certificate training turns your aviation ambitions into a rewarding profession. Academy College delivers professional instruction, comprehensive ground school, and hands-on flight experience that prepares you for entry-level roles such as sport pilot, cargo pilot, fire watch pilot, or air charter pilot.
Why choose Academy College?
- A diverse fleet of aircraft, which includes Cessna, Piper, Warrior, Seminoles, and Arrows
- Evening and online class options
- Experienced flight instructors
- Ground school preparation covering federal aviation regulations and flight safety
- Small classes with a student-to-flight instructor ratio of 5:1
- Train at two different Thunderbird Aviation locations, a leader in flight training since 1962.
Interested in learning more?
What can you do with a professional pilot certificate?
- Build the foundation for a career as a commercial-rated pilot in general aviation, corporate aviation, or with an airline
- Earn multiple FAA ratings, including Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine
- Gain the technical skills and flight experience needed for entry-level positions such as sport pilot, cargo pilot, fire watch pilot, or air charter pilot
Professional pilot training program
Student Fit
A professional pilot certificate is ideal for:
- Individuals pursuing careers in aviation, including roles in general aviation, corporate flight, air charter operations, or cargo operations
- Students seeking a structured Part 141 pathway from Private Pilot through Multi-Engine certification
- Aspiring pilots who want to build flight hours and experience toward airline eligibility
- Career changers looking for a hands-on, skills-based profession with long-term advancement opportunities
- Aviation enthusiasts ready to turn their passion for flying into a professional credential and career foundation
Program Requirements
The Professional Pilot Certificate program includes the training and flight experience needed to earn the following FAA ratings: Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine.
What it will take:
- Comprehensive ground school and flight training that meet FAA requirements for each rating
- Completion of FAA knowledge exams (minimum passing score of 70%)
- Instructor endorsements confirming readiness for each test and checkride
- Successful completion of practical checkrides with FAA-designated examiners
- Accumulation of required flight hours, progressing from Private through Multi-Engine
Licensing requirements:
- Minimum age of 17 to begin Private Pilot certification (18 for Commercial)
- Ability to read, speak, write, and understand English
- FAA First-Class Medical Certificate (required for all flight programs and must be kept current)
- Fulfillment of FAA experience and knowledge requirements for each rating level
Flight Training
Flight training is through our partnership with Thunderbird Aviation.
- Emergency procedures and aviation safety techniques
- Flexible scheduling with morning, afternoon, and evening options
- Night flying experience and basic instrument procedures
- Solo flights and supervised cross-country navigation
- Training in single-engine, multi-engine, and complex aircraft, including Cessna 172 and Piper models
Curriculum Overview
Ground school topics:
- Aircraft systems and performance
- Aviation safety and emergency procedures
- Cross-country flight planning and execution
- Federal aviation regulations and airspace requirements
- Navigation techniques and radio communications
- Weather interpretation and flight planning
Practical training:
- Air traffic control communications and airport operations
- Cross-country navigation and flight planning application
- Pre-flight inspection and aircraft systems
- Solo flight progression and confidence building
- Takeoff and landing techniques in various conditions
Program Experience
What to expect:
- FAA written exam preparation and testing facilities
- Certified flight instructors
- Comprehensive preparation for your practical checkride
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate work and personal commitments
- Ground school classes and individual study support
- Diverse training aircraft
- Personalized instruction
Get our curriculum, outcomes, and faculty in one place
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The Upper Midwest's aviation leader for flight training
Thunderbird Aviation is the exclusive training partner of Academy College. Aviation students benefit from professional instruction, diverse aircraft fleets, and operations at Flying Cloud and Crystal airports.
Our flight students speak up
Accredited and respected programs
Academy College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). They are a private, nonprofit organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an institutional accrediting agency for post-secondary career schools and colleges.
Interested in a commercial aviation career?
You can pursue a career in commercial aviation. Academy College offers comprehensive commercial pilot training programs that prepare you for airline and corporate pilot positions with advanced certificates and degree options.
FAQs
Good questions
How long does it take to get a professional pilot certificate?
Most students complete their training in 6–12 months, depending on weather, scheduling, and individual progress. The minimum requirement is 40 hours of flight time, though most students need 60–80 hours.
What can I do with a professional pilot certificate?
You can fly single-engine aircraft for personal transportation and recreation anywhere in the United States. You cannot fly for compensation or hire, but you can share expenses with passengers.
Do I need any experience to start flight training?
No prior aviation experience is required.
What type of flying will I learn?
You’ll learn all aspects of single-engine flying, including normal takeoff and landing procedures, cross-country navigation, night flying, and basic instrument flying skills.
How much does professional pilot training cost?
Costs vary based on how quickly you progress and current aircraft rates. Contact our admissions team for current pricing and financing options.
What medical requirements do I need to meet?
You need a third-class medical certificate from an FAA-approved aviation medical examiner. Most healthy individuals qualify for this basic medical certificate.
Can I use this training toward a commercial pilot career?
Yes. A professional pilot certificate is the foundation for all advanced pilot training. Many of our private pilot graduates continue with instrument rating and commercial pilot training.
How flexible is the flight training schedule?
Very flexible. You can schedule flight lessons in the morning, afternoon, or evening based on your availability, weather conditions, and aircraft availability.
Conduct your private pilot training at Academy College