Accelerated Commercial Pilot Training in the Quad Cities
Enrollment is now open. Personal Consults Available.
Professional Aeronautics Certificate (PAC)
The Professional Aeronautics Certificate (PAC) is an accelerated career-pathway program strategically designed to take students from zero experience to Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in just 12–16 months without requiring a traditional four-year aviation degree.
Regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), PAC serves students in the Quad Cities, the Midwest and the Greater Mississippi Valley. PAC was built to address the global pilot shortage by producing highly trained, safety-focused, jet-ready graduates prepared for careers in commercial aviation, corporate flight departments, and airline operations worldwide.
Developed in partnership with Black Hawk College, Quad Cities Aero and former Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor, Dr. Chris Johnson, PAC produces commercial pilots in fraction of the time and cost as traditional college flight programs.
Program Highlights
- Non-degree certificate focused strictly on FAA licenses required for employment
- Part-time (standard program): 15–20 hours per week for 12–16 months
- Full-time (optional): 30–40 hours per week for 6–9 months
- Simple progression: Private → Instrument → Commercial → Instructor Pilot (optional)
PAC is designed for:
- Traditional college students who want a non-aviation degree
- Career-changing adults who do not want or need a degree
- High school seniors seeking an early start in aviation
- Transitioning military Veterans
Program Structure & FAA Certification Pathway
PAC uses a blended learning format combining real-world flying with flight simulation and
classroom instruction and online coursework with individualized flight and ground training.
Students also may rent aircraft between semesters to continue building flight time.
PAC students complete one certification per semester in a clear, linear progression:
PPL → IFR → CPL → CFI / CFII
Semester 1: Private Pilot License (PPL)
• Earn FAA Private Pilot License (single-engine)
• Train for safe flight under visual flight rules (VFR)
• 60-70 flight hours + 5-10 simulator hours
Semester 2: Instrument Flight Rating
- Earn FAA Instrument Flight Rating
- Learn to fly in clouds and low-visibility conditions under instrument flight rules (IFR)
- 50-60 flight hours + 20-30 simulator hours
Semester 3: Commercial License (CPL)
- Earn FAA Commercial Pilot License (single-engine)
- ~200 total flight hours + ~50 simulator hours (minimum combined experience)
- Eligible for paid commercial flying positions
Semester 4 (Optional): Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII)
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)
- Preferential consideration for open instructor positions
Multi-Engine (Optional)
- Multi-Engine rating and optional Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) certification
- One-on-one instruction with flexible scheduling
Training Format and Weekly Commitment
PAC is structured as a part-time professional program with an accelerated full-time option.
Part-Time Commitment: 15–20 hours/week for 12–16 months
- 3–4 hours of structured classroom instruction (typically evenings)
- 5–7 hours of flight training (typically three days per week)
- 5–10 hours of independent study and flight preparation
Full-Time Commitment: 30-40 hours/week for 6-9 months
- 6–8 hours of online learning + one-on-one ground instruction
- 10–14 hours of flight training (typically 5-6 days per week)
- 10–20 hours of independent study and flight preparation
Flight schedules require flexibility due to weather, maintenance, and resource availability.
Locations
Ground school is held at Black Hawk College in Moline, IL, and flight training is conducted at Quad Cities Aero location at the Quad Cities International Airport, providing students with access to:
- Controlled and uncontrolled airspace
- Seasonal, Midwest weather systems
- Low- and high-density tranic environments
- Picturesque cross-country corridors
Midwest flying conditions allow students to train year-round in a variety of weather conditions.
Career path after graduation
Upon earning their CPL (~250 total flight hours), graduates typically build time as:
- Certified Flight Instructors (CFI/CFII)
- Charter or cargo Pilots
- Corporate flight crew
- Aerial survey or specialized operators
Once pilots reach 1500 total hours and obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate,
they are eligible for positions at airlines and advanced corporate and cargo operations.
PAC is structured to produce competitive applicants prepared for long-term aviation
careers, not simply certificate completion.
Why the Pilot Shortage Matters
A sustained workforce shortage in aviation is expected for the next 10-20 years due to:
- Mandatory retirement at age 65
- Aging aviation workforce
- Continued global air travel growth
- Increased training pipeline constraints
- Military-to-civilian pilot transition declines
- Expansion of unmanned systems and advanced air mobility aircraft
These factors have strengthened long-term demand for commercial pilots, allowing them to earn higher salaries and enjoy faster career progression than ever before.
Return on Investments & Career Outlook
This hiring environment is widely considered one of the strongest in aviation history.
- Strong pilot shortage projected for the next 10-20 years
- First officers enter regional airports at ~$80,000-$100,000 annually
- Rapid upgrade timelines compared to previous decades
- Mid-career salaries often exceed $300,000 annually, working 13-15 days per month
PAC requires less time and often less total investment than most bachelor’s degree programs while offering access to a high-income professional career path.
Training and Aircraft Equipment
PAC prepares students for both legacy and modern cockpits
• Legacy Cessna + Cirrus Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA)
• Analog “6-pack” instruments + digital “glass cockpit” avionics
• Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) simulator -> 50 loggable hours toward CLP
• ForeFlight Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) for digital flight planning, GPS tracking, traffic, weather, and digital document/logbook management
Training in both analog “6-pack” aircraft and TAA aircraft ensures graduates are prepared and comfortable transitioning to turbine and airline-style avionics.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be at least 17 years old during their first semester
- Obtain a FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
- Demonstrate academic discipline and professional commitment
Because FAA medical standards are strict, applicants are strongly encouraged to CONTACT US prior to scheduling their exam to avoid preventable delays.
Cost of Pilot training in the quad Cities
Estimated cost is $66,137 from zero hours to CPL, and total cost varies depending on hours in aircraft type, individual proficiency and certifications pursued:
PAC COURSE | TUITION | FLIGHT FEES | EXAM FEES | OTHER FEES | TOTAL |
Private Pilot | $500 | $17,892 | $1,275 | $3,200 | $22,867 |
Instrument Pilot | $500 | $19,494 | $1,275 | $300 | $21,569 |
Commercial Pilot | $500 | $19,377 | $1,275 | $550 | $21,702 |
PAC TOTAL | $66,137 | ||||
OPTIONAL COURSES | |||||
Flight Instructor | $500 | $10,362 | $3,625 | $500 | $14,987 |
Multiengine / MEI | 0 | $14,425 | $2,200 | $250 | $16,875 |
Estimated cost is $66,137 from zero hours to CPL, and total cost varies depending on hours in aircraft type, individual proficiency and certifications pursued:
Financing options are available and vary by applicant:
- Private financing
- Aviation-specific loan programs
- Government Workforce Pell Program (anticipated late 2026)
- Scholarship opportunities (see FAQs)
For detailed pricing and financing guidance, please CONTACT US
Program Developer and Manager
Dr. Chris Johnson, PhD, CFI, CFII, MEI
The PAC program was developed by Dr. Chris Johnson, an aviation educator, Air Force veteran, commercial pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor.
Prior to PAC, Dr. Johnson was a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
He earned his PhD in Engineering from University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he conducted FAA-funded research focused on improving pilot training safety and human-machine systems.
His academic work contributed to advancements in unmanned systems and aviation training technologies, including development of a weather simulator used to improve pilot and drone training.
Dr. Johnson also founded Pilot Training System, the aviation industry’s only fully free online ground school platform, which has grown to over 72,000 YouTube subscribers.
Start Your Pilot Training in the Quad Cities
If you’re ready to begin a professional aviation career without spending four years in a traditional degree program, PAC offers a direct and accelerated path. APPLY NOW or CONTACT US to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to become a commercial pilot?
Most PAC students complete their Commercial Pilot License (CPL) within 12–16 months while training part-time. Full-time students can finish in 6-9 months, and all graduates finish with approximately 250–300 total flight hours.
Airline eligibility requires building additional flight time to meet the 1,500-hour ATP minimum, which takes 18-24 months of full-time flying.
What's the job market like?
This is one of the strongest hiring cycles in aviation history driven by mandatory retirements at age 65 and sustained travel demand that has created a workforce shortage that is projected to last 10-20 years, resulting in higher starting pay, faster upgrades, and long-term career stability.
What is the difference between a commercial pilot and an airline pilot?
A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) allows a pilot to be paid for flying services such as charter/cargo, instruction, or corporate aviation.
An Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license is required for airline employment and requires 1,500 total flight hours under FAA regulations.
Do airlines require a college degree?
US airlines no longer require a four-year degree. Hiring decisions are primarily based on FAA certifications, total flight time, training quality, and professional performance.
PAC provides a direct path to airline eligibility without requiring a traditional aviation degree program.
Why choose PAC over an aviation degree program?
- Airlines no longer require a college degree
- PAC is a faster, lower-cost path to airline eligibility
- Government Workforce Pell Program is anticipated in late 2026
- Ideal for career changers or those who already hold degrees
- Hiring is based on FAA licenses and flight hours, not aviation degrees
Can I use my GI Bill?
The PAC program is not currently GI Bill eligible. Students should CONTACT US regarding future eligibility and other financing options.
How do I finance this?
Private financing is available to qualified borrowers (CONTACT US), and the US Department of Education is launching its Workplace Pell Program in late 2026. Many scholarships and grants are available to qualified applicants, and these websites each list dozens of opportunities.
What are the medical requirements?
Students must obtain a First-Class Medical Certificate prior to enrollment to ensure future ATP eligibility. We strongly recommend students (and parents) CONTACT US before scheduling an exam to avoid common disqualifying issues.
Is insurance required?
Students must carry $50,000 renter’s insurance, available through AOPA who offers a fee 3-month student membership.
How do I sign up?
APPLY NOW or CONTACT US to learn more.