Commercial Pilot Training (Single or Multi-Engine)

After mastering VFR as a private pilot and flying IFR in the clouds, the commercial pilot certificate is the next step toward a career as a professional pilot. Ironically, this training takes you back to the basics and is an "eyes outside" kind of training, while improving your overall skills and tightening down headings and altitudes. This course hones the private pilot skills to a commercial level of precision. You will discover new value in the maneuvers you flew as a private pilot student and will add new 3D maneuvers such as Chandelles and Eights on Pylons. This training can be flown exclusively in the Mooney (encouraged if you are proceeding to your CFI) or in a combination of Skyhawk, Mooney, and twin engine Beechcraft Travel Air. The Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards require 10 hours in the "complex" aircraft. You must demonstrate mastery of the machine including the cross-country portion, the take-offs and landings, and the emergency maneuvers. The second half of the test, including the Chandelles, Lazy Eights, steep spiral, Eights on Pylons, etc. can be performed in a Skyhawk or Mooney.  The important end result is to fly well in all attitudes with grace and coordination. The two-hour day/two-hour night dual can be lots of fun, as seen in this trip to Cleveland video.

This program utilizes the Jeppesen Professional Pilot Curriculum. This is the second half of the book most people initially acquired for the instrument course. The course will expand upon the basic principles and understanding you gained as a private pilot. You will learn more detailed performance and systems information and carefully study the aircraft you will be flying.  After flying the past 40 or so hours only on instruments, one major challenge will be getting the eyes outside again and controlling by visual references. Also, the small and gentle control pressures we stressed in instrument flying are now set aside and you are trained to be more forceful in making the aircraft fly the profiles you want. Many pilots need to build up some cross-country and night solo time to qualify for the commercial so there are day and night 200 mile cross-country trips to accomplish. We know you are ready when all the experience requirements are met and you can dead stick the aircraft onto a pre-determined spot on the runway within 200 feet.