Pre-requisite: Ability
to pass FAA 2nd Class Medical Certificate, no DUI or narcotics
convictions.
Prairie Air Service. Inc. is a FAR Part 61 flight school, and the minimum
experience required for an FAA commercial pilot certificate is 250 hours; at
least 200 hours have to be flying time, and up to 50 hours can be instruction on
an FAA approved flight training device.
The equipment used for flight training are a Cessna 150 (click
here for picture) (single engine, 100 HP, 2 seat, 90 knots cruise
speed), a Cessna 172 (click
here for picture) (single engine, 150 HP, 4 seat, 105 knots cruise
speed), a Piper Arrow 180 (click
here for picture) (single engine, 180 HP, 4 seat, retractable landing
gear, 135 knots cruise speed), a twin engine Piper Apache 160 (click
here for picture) (2 x 160 HP, 5 seat, retractable landing gear, 135
knots cruise speed), and an ATC-610 flight training device (click
here for picture) (that's the FAA designation for a basic simulator).
The Cessna 150 has limited weight carrying capability. A Cessna 172 (single
engine, 150 HP, 4 seat, 100 knots cruise speed) is also available and is used
for primary flight training if a student is heavier than about 190 pounds. If
this should be necessary, it will increase the cost of all training courses
described below by about $ 1000.00.
Our specialty at Prairie Air Service, Inc. is multi-engine flight
training. What makes our training programs different from most other flight
schools is that we offer instrument
flight training in a twin engine Piper PA 23-160 Apache, which is equipped with
HSI, RMI, DME, RNAV and Loran, as well as the usual dual nav-com, ILS and ADF.
By taking your instrument training in a well equipped multi-engine airplane you
will become comfortable with the operation of equipment you will later on
encounter in typical business or airline airplanes, and you will also become
very familiar with multi-engine and complex airplane procedures. We also offer
single engine instrument training in the retractable gear Piper PA28R-180 Arrow.
We discourage instrument training in basic fixed gear airplanes such as the
typically used Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior. Using retractable gear airplanes
helps instrument students develop the procedural discipline they will need later
on in their flying careers.
We offer several different ab initio commercial pilot training programs,
which differ in the amount of multi engine flight time included. The least
expensive option is to conduct all of your training in single engine airplanes.
A multi engine rating can be added after you have completed your commercial
pilot training. The other programs include a multi engine rating and all of your
instrument flight training in the multi engine Apache and differ in the amount
of total multi engine flight time included. They are described below.
Single Engine Instrument and
Commercial Pilot Course: $16,000.00.
This is the least expensive commercial pilot course. It includes 38
hours of retractable gear flight time. We will use a Cessna 150 for your
primary training, most of your additional flight experience, and also part of
your single engine commercial training (approximately 200 hours: 35 hours dual
and 165 hours solo and / or pilot in command). The ATC-610 flight training
device will be used for approximately 16 hours of initial instrument procedures
training. The Piper Arrow (retractable gear) will be used for the flight portion
of the instrument training and part of your single engine commercial training
(approximately 35 hours dual and 3 hour for the instrument and commercial flight
tests). This package also includes a total of about 110 hours of instructor time
(approximately 70 hours flight, 16 hours flight training device and 24 hours
ground instruction).
Multi Engine Rating (Optional):
If you would like to receive a multi engine rating, it can be added after you
have completed your commercial pilot training. A 8 hour multi engine rating
course (with multi engine instrument privileges, including plane for the flight
test) costs $1495.00, plus a $200.00 examiner’s fee.
Single and Multi Engine
Instrument and Commercial Pilot Course #1:
$18,000.00
This training program includes 37
hours of multi engine flight time and a total of 48 hours retractable gear
experience. You will fly the Cessna 150 for your primary training, most of your
additional flight experience, and also part of your single engine commercial
training (approximately 190 hours: 35 hours dual and 160 hours solo and / or
pilot in command). The Piper Arrow (retractable gear) will also be used for part
of your single engine commercial training (approximately 10 hours dual and 1
hour for the flight test). We will use the twin engine Piper Apache for your
initial multi engine training, the instrument training, and finally for your
multi engine commercial training (approximately 33 hours of dual and 4 hours for
three flight tests). The ATC-610 flight training device will be used for
approximately 16 hours of initial instrument procedures training. This package
also includes a total of about 128 hours of instructor time (approximately 83
hours flight, 16 hours flight training device and 29 hours ground instruction).
Single and Multi Engine
Instrument and Commercial Pilot Course #2:
$20,250.00
This is our premium package which includes 100 hours of multi-engine flight time and a total of 111 hours
retractable gear experience. It includes 127 hours Cessna 150, 11 hours Piper
Arrow, 100 hours Piper Apache and 16 hours ATC 610 procedures trainer. This
package also includes 132 hours of instructor time (approximately 86 hours
flight, 16 hours flight training device and 30 hours ground instruction).
60 hours of multi engine flight time will be enhanced instrument training
and shared flight time: You will fly with another pilot, and one of you will
wear a hood and practice instrument procedures, while the other pilot acts as
safety pilot. Under this arrangement the FAA allows both pilots to log the
flight time. Due to insurance requirements an instructor will be on board on
these flights. He will ride in the back seat and act as coach. You will receive
enhanced instrument instruction above and beyond the requirements for the
instrument rating. If weather conditions permit, a multi-engine mountain flying
checkout to Colorado or New Mexico is included
in this package at no additional cost.
Single and Multi Engine
Instrument and Commercial Pilot Course #3:
$21,900.00
This is our "deluxe" package which includes 150
hours multi-engine flight time and a total of 161 hours of retractable gear
experience. It includes 78 hours Cessna 150, 11 hours Piper Arrow, 150 hours
Piper Apache and 16 hours ATC 610 procedures trainer. This package also includes
132 hours of instructor time (approximately 86 hours flight, 16 hours flight
training device and 30 hours ground instruction). 110 hours of multi engine
flight time will be enhanced instrument training and shared flight time: You
will fly with another pilot, and one of you will wear a hood and practice
instrument procedures, while the other pilot acts as safety pilot. Under this
arrangement the FAA allows both pilots to log the flight time. Due to insurance
requirements an instructor will be on board on these flights. He will ride in
the back seat and act as coach. You will receive enhanced instrument instruction
above and beyond the requirements for the instrument rating. A multi-engine
mountain flying checkout to Colorado or New Mexico is included. We can also fly
a long multi-engine cross country trip lasting several days to a tourist
attraction such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or Niagara Falls. There will be
a fuel surcharge of about $20.00 per hour (shared by both pilots) on long cross
country trips in the Apache, since fuel prices away from our home base are
considerably higher than our bulk fuel costs at home. Any hotel, restaurant and
rental car costs will be additional.
Customized Training Programs:
We can design a training program for you that includes any combination of Cessna
150, Cessna 172, Piper Arrow and Piper Apache time you desire.
The training packages described above are based upon average aptitude and
a large amount of self study. They include all applicable taxes.
Duration of Training:
Depending on weather conditions your training, if conducted full time, will take
about 4 to 5 months.
Ground Instruction:
All pre and post flight briefings as well as ground instruction in preparation
for your flight tests are included in the above training packages. You will also
be given study assignments in conjunction with your flight training. The
flight and ground instruction included with the training packages is based on
average aptitude and a considerable amount of self study on your part. Any
additional instructor time will be billed at $30.00 per hour.
Additional Expenses:
The above training packages include all of the actual training costs and
are based upon average aptitude. Additional expenses will be the various exam
fees for your knowledge and flight tests, an FAA medical exam, and some pilot
supplies. They are explained below, and will total about $1500.00 (or $1100.00 for the single engine only program).
Examination Fees:
In addition to the cost of your flight training one of the other expenses will
be fees for the required knowledge exams (formerly called written exams)
and flight tests. You will take the knowledge tests at a computer
assisted testing facility, where the results are available immediately after
your test. The fee is $70.00 per computer assisted knowledge exam. The
examiner's fee for each flight test is $200.00. You will have to take a total of
3 knowledge exams and 5 flight tests, for a total
cost of $1210.00. If you take the single engine only program, there will be
3 knowledge exams and 3 flight tests, for a total cost of $810.00.
FAA Medical Exam:
You will have to pass a FAA Second Class medical examination in order to be
eligible for your Commercial Pilot Certificate. You may want to visit an FAA
Medical Examiner in your local area before beginning your flight training to
insure that you have no disqualifying medical condition.
The cost of a second class medical examination is typically about $65.00.
Pilot Supplies:
You will need some basic pilot supplies such as a logbook, a navigation plotter,
a flight computer (that's a fancy word for an old fashioned circular slide
rule), textbooks for the private, commercial and instrument training and some
aeronautical charts of the local area. These supplies will add up to about
$200.00.
Housing:
If you do not live in the Wichita area, you will need accommodations. We have
several guest rooms available. The cost, including meals is $600.00
per month.
Brief Description of Training:
We will begin your flight training by preparing you for your first solo and then
your private pilot certificate. In addition to your flying lessons you will also
spend a large amount of time studying for the private pilot knowledge
(theoretical) exam, and at the conclusion of this phase of training take the
private pilot knowledge and flight tests.
After you have passed your private pilot flight test, you will begin
accumulating cross country flying experience to meet the 50 hour cross country
time requirement for the instrument rating. Usually you will also receive your
multi-engine rating fairly shortly after passing your private pilot flight test,
and then begin your simulator and flight training toward the instrument rating.
To keep the cost of the commercial course as affordable as possible, the
instrument training includes about 16 hours on the ATC-610 flight training
device. You will first learn the various procedures on the ground in the
simulator, and then continue the training in the Apache or Arrow.
At this stage of your training a typical day may consist of some cross
country flying in the Cessna 150 (or the Piper Apache if you are taking the #3
course), and an instrument lesson. You will also spend a large amount of time
studying for the instrument and commercial knowledge exams, watch many hours of
training video tapes, and work with test preparation software on one of our
computers. When you have completed your studies, you will take the instrument
and commercial pilot knowledge exams. If you have any difficulty preparing for
the knowledge exams, one of our instructors will gladly help you better
understand the area in question.
Upon completion of the instrument training you will take the IFR flight
test and then continue to accumulate flight time toward the 250 hours required
for the commercial license. If you are taking the #2 or # 3 course most of that
flying will be enhanced instrument training in the Piper Apache. When you have
about 235 to 240 hours, we will begin the maneuvers training in preparation for
the single and multi-engine commercial flight tests. Since the current
commercial pilot experience requirements went into effect in 1997, the most cost
effective way is to take the single engine commercial pilot flight test first.
Since you have to demonstrate single engine complex airplane competency, about
10 hours of your single engine commercial pilot training will be conducted in
the Piper Arrow.