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Professional Pilot Training
in Madison, WI
Earn your FAA pilot certificates through Madison College and Wisconsin Aviation as part of the Professional Aeronautics Certificate (PAC).
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Flight School: Wisconsin Aviation
Location: Juneau · Madison · Watertown, WI
College: Madison College
Courses: Private · Instrument · Commercial
Part-Time: 15-20 hours/week · 17-22 months
Full-Time: 30-40 hours/week · 10-14 months
Cost (est): $79,121
Your Path to a Professional Pilot Career
A Direct Pathway to a Professional Pilot Career
The Professional Aeronautics Certificate (PAC) is a structured, non-degree college flight-training program for students seeking an efficient and affordable path to professional pilot certification.
Program Highlights:
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Non-degree certificate focused strictly on the FAA ratings required for employment
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Part-time (standard program): 15-20 hours per week for 17–22 months
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Full-time (optional): 30-40 hours per week for 10–14 months
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Simple progression: Private → Instrument → Commercial → Instructor Pilot (optional)
PAC is designed for:
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Traditional college students pursuing a degree outside aviation
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Adults preparing for a career change
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High-school students beginning flight training early
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Military veterans transitioning into aviation careers
Locations
Ground school (classroom instruction) is held at Madison College in Madison, WI, and flight training is conducted through one of these Wisconsin Aviation flight-school locations:
Wisconsin’s seasonal flying conditions train students to safely manage a variety of weather, and Madison features controlled and uncontrolled airspace in low- and high-density traffic environments with picturesque cross-country corridors.
Want to know more?
Discuss your training goals with us or attend a free webinar to learn how the program works.
Training Format & Weekly Commitment
Overview
Part-time students train approximately 15-20 hours per week in a cohort-based program with scheduled start dates and classroom instruction, typically completing the program in 17–22 months. Full-time students follow an individualized training plan requiring approximately 30-40 hours per week, with flexible start dates and an estimated completion time of 10–14 months. Completion time varies with weather, scheduling, instructor and aircraft availability, and individual progress.
Part-Time Training: 15-20 Hours / Week for 17-22 Months
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3 hours of classroom instruction per week, typically evenings
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7 hours of flight training, typically three days per week
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5-10 hours of independent study and flight preparation
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Scheduled cohort start dates
Full-Time Training: 30-40 Hours / Week for 10-14 Months
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6-8 hours of online and individual ground instruction
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10-14 hours of flight training, typically five or six days per week
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10-20 hours of independent study and flight preparation
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Flexible start dates and individualized scheduling
Flight schedules require flexibility and may be affected by weather, maintenance, aircraft and instructor availability, and individual student progress. If you would like to know exactly how flight training can fit into your busy schedule, please contact us for a free consultation.
Pilot Training Curriculum
Three Core Stages of Professional Pilot Training
The PAC curriculum guides students through three consecutive stages of FAA pilot training.
Semester 1: Develop the knowledge and flight skills required to operate a single-engine aircraft safely under visual flight rules.
Approximately 60–70 flight hours and 5–10 simulator hours.
Semester 2: Learn to fly by aircraft instruments and operate aircraft safely in clouds, reduced visibility and the national airspace system.
Approximately 50–60 flight hours and 20–30 simulator hours.
Semester 3: Advance your airmanship while building toward the FAA experience requirements for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
Students typically complete the core program with 250–300 total hours.
Two Optional Stages of Professional Pilot Training
Optional instructor and multi-engine courses are available for students who want to expand their qualifications.
Semester 4 (Optional): Earn a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate and a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) rating to pursue paid flight instruction and continue building experience toward airline eligibility.
Optional: Depending on your chosen career path, you may want to add a Multi-Engine Rating, pursue a Multi-Engine Instructor rating or complete additional multi-engine time-building to meet airline qualifications.
Aircraft, Simulators & Training Equipment
Overview
The PAC Program combines a mixed aircraft fleet with both conventional (analog) and digital (glass-panel) avionics, low- and high-wing configurations and low- and high-performance engines along with FAA-creditable flight simulation devices to reduce training costs while producing more versatile, marketable, career-ready pilots.
Training Aircraft
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Piper Archer: Economical primary and instrument trainer with a low-wing configuration and legacy (analog) instruments
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Cessna 172 Skyhawk: Economical primary and instrument trainer with a high-wing configuration and legacy (analog) instruments
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Cirrus SR20: High-performance primary and instrument trainer with a low-wing configuration and both legacy (analog) and digital (glass-panel) avionics and instrument displays
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Piper Seneca: Complex multi-engine aircraft used for optional Multi-Engine and Multi-Engine Instructor training
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Wisconsin Aviation supports its training fleet with on-site maintenance services performed by FAA-certificated technicians.
Electronic Flight Bag
Each student is required to use an Apple® iPad equipped with Jeppesen ForeFlight® navigation software throughout the program. This electronic flight bag supports flight planning, weather briefings, aeronautical charts, airport information, aircraft performance calculations and in-flight situational awareness. Standardized equipment ensures students train with the same professional tools used throughout modern aviation.
Flight Simulation
Students use FAA-approved advanced aviation training devices (AATDs) to develop instrument procedures, navigation skills and cockpit proficiency before applying those skills in an aircraft. AATDs allow students to repeat specific flight segments, build proficiency and safely practice emergency scenarios that would be unsafe or impractical in an aircraft. Up to 50 AATD hours may count toward the 250 hours required for a Commercial Pilot Certificate, substantially reducing training costs.
Admissions, Cost & Financing
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:
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Be at least 17 years old during their first semester
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Complete a discovery flight and formal flight-readiness evaluation (~$250–$300). Contact us to schedule
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Obtain an FAA First-Class Medical Certificate (~$200–$250). Contact us beforehand to avoid preventable delays
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Commit to the attendance, preparation and weekly training requirements of their selected schedule
What the Core Program Includes
The estimated cost to complete Private Pilot, Instrument and Commercial Pilot training from zero experience is approximately $79,121. Actual cost depends on aircraft selection, individual proficiency, flight hours required, testing fees and other training expenses.
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Private Pilot training
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Instrument Rating training
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Commercial Pilot training
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College instruction and structured curriculum
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Aircraft and simulator training
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FAA knowledge tests and practical examinations
Optional Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) training involve additional costs (see tables below).
Cost Summary
PAC Core Course | Tuition | Flight Fees | Exam Fees | Other Fees | TOTAL | Aircraft Hours | Simulator Hours | Instructor Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Private | $635 | $17,320 | $1,475 | $5,797 | $25,227 | 70 | 10 | 78 |
Instrument | $635 | $24,925 | $1,475 | $4,180 | $31,215 | 60 | 25 | 117 |
Commercial | $635 | $17,580 | $1,475 | $2,989 | $22,679 | 67 | 15 | 73 |
PAC TOTAL | $79,121 | 197 | 50 | 268 |
NOTE: "Other Fees" for Private course includes $1000 Apple® iPad + $1300 Bose® Aviation Headset
Optional Course | Tuition | Flight Fees | Exam Fees | Other Fees | TOTAL | Aircraft Hours | Simulator Hours | Instructor Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Instructor Pilot (CFI + CFII) | $635 | $12,420 | $3,125 | $1,819 | $17,999 | 55 | 5 | 77 |
Multi-Engine (ME + MEI) | 0 | $15,660 | $1,475 | $2,691 | $19,826 | 25 | 3 | 35 |
Career Path After Graduation
After earning a Commercial Pilot Certificate, graduates may pursue paid flying opportunities in flight instruction, charter, cargo, corporate aviation, aerial survey and other commercial operations. Many graduates earn CFI and CFII qualifications and work as flight instructors while building the experience required for an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and airline employment.
Expected Compensation and Career Progression
Graduates typically begin flight instructing with 250–300 hours and build the 1,500 hours generally required for an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate in approximately 18–24 months. Regional-airline first officers commonly start near $90,000–$100,000 annually, with earnings increasing through seniority and captain upgrades. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median annual pay of $123,220 for commercial pilots and $232,140 for airline pilots, with the highest-paid airline pilots earning more than $463,830.
Financing and Scholarships
Private financing is available to qualified applicants, and students are encouraged to pursue aviation scholarships and other education or career-training assistance when eligible. PAC does not currently accept Sallie Mae financing or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. The following financing options are currently available to qualified candidates:
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College Prepay / 529 Account Funds Accepted
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Over $20M in Scholarship Funds Available: www.AviationStart.org
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Personal Financing / Loans Accepted
Each student's circumstance differs slightly with regard to financing availability, scheduling requirements and work-life balance to accommodate professional flight training, so prospective flight students should request a free consultation.