Community College of Baltimore County
AVIATION MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
FLIGHT TRAINING GUIDE
• Flight Training: process and costs
• Pilot Ground Schools
• FAA Knowledge Testing
• Flight Simulator Training
Version 4.7 8/2017
CCBC
Community College of Baltimore County
800 South Rolling Road Baltimore, MD 21228
www.ccbcmd.edu/aviation 443-840-4157
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Earning your Commercial Pilot Certificate: The Process 1
Pilot Hiring and Career Progression 2
The Military Option 3
Flight Training Courses & Costs 4
The Bottom Line 5
Medical Certification 5
Approved Flight Training Centers 6
Great websites for more information on flight training 7
Credit for Pilot Certificates & Ratings 7
Pilot Ground Schools - Overview 8
Private Pilot 9
Instrument Pilot 9
Commercial Pilot 10
FAA PCI-Lasergrade Knowledge Testing 10
Flight Simulator 10
The recommended Flight Training Course Progression Schedule for degree seeking students can be found
on page 9 of the Aviation Program Information Packet
Students interested in starting flight training at CCBC are also encouraged to review:
CCBC Student Flight Training Handbook.
For more information on pilot career progression, please visit the Aviation Careers
website found on the CCBC Aviation Studies home page.
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THE FLIGHT TRAINING PROCESS
EARNING YOUR COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE: THE PROCESS
In order to fly professionally as a commercial pilot, you must progress through several pilot licenses. Each license (or
certificate as the termed by the FAA) builds on the skills and knowledge gained in the previous license. These licenses
are described below and the costs are for airplane and helicopter training.
The time and costs depend on how quickly you learn the required skills. Flight training time and costs are determined by
individual ability, but are also influenced by weather and maintenance factors which may interupt flight training.
Generally, students should fly frequently and consistently in order to complete their pilot training in minimum time.
Learning to fly requires repetition. Long breaks in flight training result in the student losing flying proficiency and skill.
Each license on the road to becoming a commercial pilot requires two parts: ground school and flight training. Ground
school provides the academic knowledge necessary to be a safe pilot and pass the FAA Knowledge Exam. The flight
training portion will teach you to operate the aircraft in a proficient and safe manner so that you will pass the FAA Flight
Evaluation.
Private Pilot - The first license you will earn is the private pilot certficate. This license allows you to fly in good weather
only under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). You may carry passengers, but cannot fly for hire (be paid as a pilot to fly
passengers or cargo). The minimum requirement for this license is 40 hours of instruction, but most people take closer
to 50 hours.
Instrument Pilot Rating - The next license you will earn is the instrument rating. This allows you to fly in limited visiblity
conditions under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). You may carry passengers, but cannot fly for hire. The minimum
requirements for this license is 40 hours of instruction, and thanks to simulator technology, most people are able to
complete this rating in this amount of time.
Commercial Pilot Certificate - The commercial pilot certificate will allow you to charge for your services as a pilot. This
license builds on the skills learned during your private and instrument training, but hones your piloting ability to a higher
proficiency level. The minimum requirements for this license is 250 hours of instruction (your private and instrument
flight training time counts toward this); however, through simulator training under part 141, the total time may be
reduced to 190 hours.
Commercial Pilot Certificate (Multi-Engine Airplane) - After completing your airplane commercial pilot single engine
training, you will want to "add-on" multi-engine privileges to your commercial license.
Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) - This license authorizes you to provide flight instruction and train new students in
learning to fly. This certification comes after earning your commerical pilot's license. The basic CFI allows you to
instruct in single-engine aircraft. You may also want to add instrument (CFII) and multi-engine (MEI) privileges to your
CFI certificate in order to train instrument and in multi-engine students.
Please see page 7 for some excellent websites that offer more information on flight training.
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PILOT CAREER PROGRESSION
PILOT HIRING AND CAREER PROGRESSION
When considering pilot applicants, employers use logged flying hours as a yardstick for pilot experience in addition to a
college degree. Organizations that hire pilots will have minimum flight hour requirements for employment.
When you finally earn your commercial pilot certificate, you will probably have less than 300 hours of flight time in your
logbook. This is not enough to meet the minimum hiring standards for most airline or commercial operators. Most
entry level flying jobs (regional airline, charter, and corporate operators require 1200-1500 hours. So you will be lacking
a thousand hours in order to be employable. This is referred to as the experience "gap." In order to bridge this gap, you
could go out and buy the additional time, but this would be prohibitively expensive. Most CCBC students turn to flight
instructing as an efficient and cost-effective means to bridge the gap and build their flight time.
By earning a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) license, you may now teach others to fly and at the same time log the
time that you fly with your students towards meeting the hiring requirements for an entry level flying job. Working as a
CFI can be extremely rewarding as you introduce others to flying. You will also learn a great deal from teaching others
to fly. The downside of flight instructing is the compensation. Most CFIs make $ 30 or more per hour, but they are only
paid for the time that they are actively instructing students, so the net income of a full-time CFI is approx. $20,000
annually, however some flight schools offer much higher compensation and even benefits packages. This low pay is
called "paying your dues" in the pilot world. Not all flight instructors are full-time; some are part-time and flight instruct
in order to build their hours while working another job. Other CFIs work for extra income or just for the love of flying.
CFI jobs are plentiful in the Baltimore Area.
While you are instructing, you will also need to accumulate multi-engine flight time. Multi-engine flight time
demonstates your ability to fly sophisticated aircraft. Entry level flying jobs require 100-500 hours of multi-engine flight
time. There are different ways to get multi-engine time in your logbook. You may add-on multi-engine privileges to
your CFI certificate which enables you to instruct in multi-engine aircraft or you may fly for a number of flight operators
or private owners that utilize multi-engine aircraft.
When you have met the flight-hour requirements, you may apply for flying jobs individually or attend an Aviation Job
Fair where representatives from numerous pilot hiring organizations are there to eagerly accept your resume. Some will
even interview you on the spot and offer you a position!
Starting salaries for entry-level regional airline jobs are typically $ 25,000 to $ 45,000 annually but can increase to
$75,000 after you upgrade to captain and serve a few years.
As you gain more experience and logbook hours, you will be able to qualify for employment with the major airlines or
more lucrative flying jobs elsewhere that pay in excess of $ 200,000 per year. Generally, a four-year college degree is
required.
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PILOT CAREER PROGRESSION
THE MILITARY OPTION
Another way to become a commercial pilot is by going the military pilot route. All branches of the service train pilots
and this training is considered to be the best in the world. With some exceptions, the Air Force and Navy fly mainly
airplanes while the Army, Coast Guard and Marines fly helicopters. The process is very selective and to qualify for US
Navy or Air Force pilot training a four-year degree is required. There is also a service commitment of 8-10 years. If you
join a service on active duty status, you will have to complete your commitment before you may enter commercial
aviation as a pilot; however, if you join a Reserve or Air/National Guard unit, you may start your commercial pilot career
while serving in inactive or reserve status.
One of the best kept secrets is joining the Reserves or Air/Army National Guard. Many states have Reserve or National
Guard components that offer aviation opportunities. Many CCBC students join an Army/Air National Guard flying unit
and take advantage of tuition assistance programs and Veteran's Benefits which almost completely cover the costs of
flight training and earning their aviation degree. Upon graduation from college, they have excellent prospects for pilot
selection with their unit.
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FLIGHT TRAINING COSTS
CCBC offers airplane and helicopter flight training courses that are contracted through local flight schools. By
contracting through local flight schools, we can offer flexible, lower-cost flight training options to our students. These
flight training courses have lab fee that pay the flight school for the training. These courses enable students to finance
their flight training via student loans, grants, VA Benefits, and employer tuition assistance.
FLIGHT TRAINING COSTS
CCBC offers the following flight training courses in the Professional Pilot Airplane AAS degree:
Each course has an associated lab fee to pay for the additional costs of flight training.
Lab fees: effective Fall 2017
AVMT 142 Private Pilot Certification, Airplane 3 $13,500
AVMT 242 Instrument Pilot Rating, Airplane 3 $12,200
AVMT 247 Commercial Pilot Certification, Airplane Single & Multi Engine 3 $24,800
AVMT 261 Certificated Flight Instructor Airplane (CFI) 3 $6,000
AVMT 263 Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (CFII) 3 $6,000
AVMT 265 Certificated Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Airplane (MEI) 3 $9,000
Total: $71,500
CCBC offers the following flight training courses in the Professional Pilot Helicopter AAS degree:
Each course has an associated lab fee to pay for the additional costs of flight training.
Lab fees: effective Fall 2017
AVMT 144 Private Pilot Certification, Helicopter 3 $22,500
AVMT 244 Instrument Pilot Rating, Helicopter 3 $22,500
AVMT 248 Commercial Pilot Certification, Helicopter 3 $18,200
AVMT 262 Certificated Flight Instructor Helicopter (CFI) 3 $8,000
AVMT 264 Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter (CFII) 3 $8,000
Total: $79,200
*AVMT 143 & AVMT 243 are introduction to flight operations courses designed for students enrolled in the Air Traffic
Control and Flight Management programs.
Training must be accomplished at a flight school approved by the college. Please see a list of approved flight schools on
the next page or contact the Aviation Department for details. Once a student registers for a flight training course, the lab
fee is placed in a CCBC flight account for the student. The Flight Training Center will bill the college in increments and will
be paid by the college up to the amount of the lab fee.
NOTES:
1. The lab fee may not be enough to complete the certificate or rating sought; sometimes the student may have to provide
additional funding.
2. These courses do not guarantee a certificate or rating.
3. Lab fees are to be used for flight instruction only and may not be used to purchase pilot supplies such as headsets,
GPS navigation devices, iPads, tablets or electronic flight bags (EFB).
4. For more information, please review the CCBC Student Flight Training Handbook.
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FLIGHT TRAINING COSTS
What does it realistically cost?
THE BOTTOM LINE
The estimated cost of the Flight Training Degree including flight training fees is itemized below:
Airplane Helicopter
Academic Credits for AAS Degree (Baltimore County rates*) $ 7,800 $ 7,800
Flight Training Lab fees (see page 4) $71,500 $79,200
CCBC Professional Pilot Degree Total Costs: $ 79,300 $ 87,000
Additional costs not covered in lab fees:
FAA Knowledge Exams $ 750 $ 750
Pilot Examiner Fees $ 2,500 $ 2,500
TOTAL COSTS $ 82,550 $ 90,250
* Different tuition rates apply for Maryland residents not living in Baltimore County and students living
out of state:
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/costs-and-paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees
MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
You will be required to have an FAA Class II Medical Certificate in order to start flight training at CCBC. This can only be
obtained from an FAA certified Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). The cost ranges from $ 85 - $ 120.
The medical evaluation is really a routine physical that checks visual acuity and color perception, hearing, blood pressure
and heart functions, and physical mobility associated with flying.
To find an AME in your area, please visit the FAA website link below:
www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/get/
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FLIGHT TRAINING
APPROVED FLIGHT TRAINING CENTERS
The CCBC Aviation Program serves Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. The following flight schools have been approved
for CCBC students to complete their flight training. Flight Schools are listed in alphabetical order.
VA Benefits
Name (linked to web sites) Airplane Helicopter Approved Airport & Location
Advanced Helicopter Concepts X X X Frederick Municipal Airport
301-694-5313 Frederick, MD
Aero-Tech Services X X Lancaster Municipal Airport
800-852-8693 †Private-NO Lititz, PA
American Helicopters/Aviation X X X Manassas Regional Airport
703-368-9599 Manassas, VA
AV-ED Flight Schools X X Leesburg Municipal Airport
703-777-9252 †Private-NO Leesburg, VA
Bravo Flight Training X Frederick Municipal Airport
240-651-1941 Frederick, MD
Brett Aviation X X Martin State Airport
410-391-0210 Essex, MD
Dream Flight School X Carroll County Airport
443-244-9218 Westminster, MD
Frederick Flight Center X X Frederick Municipal Airport
800-355-0620 Frederick, MD
Freeway Aviation X Freeway Airport
301-390-6424 Bowie, MD
Fort Meade Flying Activity X Tipton Airport
410-672-0080 Odenton, MD
GT Aviation X Potomac Airfield
301-248-1711 Ft Washington, MD
Harford Air Services X Harford County Airport
410-836-2828 Churchville, MD
Navy Annapolis Flight Center X X Lee Airport
410-956-8751 Annapolis, MD
Middle River Aviation X X X Martin State Airport
410-574-3897 Essex, MD
Trident Aviation X X Easton Airport
410-604-2680 Easton, MD
Washington Int'l Flight Academy X X Gaithersburg Airport
240-246-7529 Gaithersburg, MD
†Private-NO = Not approved for Private Pilot Flight Training, other licenses OK.
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FLIGHT TRAINING
PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS WEB SITE!
Learning to fly is different than learning most skills. We recognize that getting started in flight training can be confusing
and finding out exactly how to proceed can be frustrating. For this reason, we have provided a link to the Aircraft
Owners & Pilots Association in order to learn more about how flight training works. Please note that the costs
mentioned in these articles and pages may not reflect current prices.
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA)
Learning to Fly Homepage www.aopa.org
Includes info on getting started and choosing a flight school
CREDIT FOR PILOT CERTIFICATES & RATINGS
CCBC may award credit for airplane or helicopter pilot certificates and ratings earned at other flight training centers as
follows:
Private Pilot – 6 credits;
a. AVMT 141 Private Pilot Ground School (3 credits)
b. AVMT 142 or AVMT 144 Private Pilot Certification (3 credits)
Instrument Rating – 7 credits;
a. AVMT 241 Instrument Pilot Ground School (4 credits) ††
b. AVMT 242 or AVMT 244 Instrument Pilot Rating (3 credits)
Commercial Pilot – 7 credits;
a. AVMT 246 Commercial Pilot Ground School (4 credits) ††
b. AVMT 247 or AVMT 248 Commercial Pilot Certification (3 credits)
Certificated Flight Instructor Airplane (CFI) - 3 credits - AVMT 261
Certificated Flight Instructor Helicopter (CFI) - 3 credits - AVMT 262
Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (CFII) - 3 credits - AVMT 263
Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter (CFII) - 3 credits - AVMT 264
Certificated Flight Instructor Airplane Multi-Engine (MEI) - 3 credits - AVMT 265
†† Must be completed at an accredited aviation college and subject to the approval of the Aviation
Program Director
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PILOT GROUND SCHOOLS
CCBC PILOT GROUND SCHOOLS
Since 1974, thousands of pilots in the Baltimore area have attended ground school courses at CCBC. Many have returned
for refresher training. Ground school courses at CCBC are FAA approved and fully accredited. You'll earn college credits
while completing your ground school training!
CCBC Ground Schools are open to anyone who has an interest in flight training or is taking lessons at another flight school.
It is not necessary to be a degree-seeking aviation student in order to attend these courses. These courses can be taken
on a credit or non-credit (audit) basis, however, the cost is the same.
The key to earning a pilot certificate or rating is learning how to operate an aircraft safely and pass the FAA Knowledge
Exam. CCBC Pilot Ground Schools accomplish both of these objectives.
CCBC offers complete ground school training taught by instructors who have thousands of hours of actual flying and
instructional experience. They will share their knowledge with you, providing real examples, not just reciting textbook
lessons!
GROUND SCHOOL vs. TEST PREP COURSES
There are several types of ground schools available. Many ground schools are only designed to aid you in passing the
FAA Knowledge Exam, and while they usually achieve this objective, there is much more that you need to know to become
a safe and proficient pilot.
CCBC will teach you more than just how to pass the FAA Knowledge Exam! To be a competent pilot, you will need a
complete understanding of FAA regulations, airspace, communications, weather, and flight operations procedures.
Students learn in an environment utilizing multi-media equipment, online assignments and resources, and simulators.
They further benefit from training scenarios and class discussions, where students share their experiences and help one
another. CCBC Ground Schools integrate the FAA Instructional Training Standards (FITS) program.
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PILOT GROUND SCHOOLS
PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL
The private pilot ground school provides complete ground instruction required for the private pilot certificate. Students
completing this course will have satisfactorily completed the FAA Private Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge requirements and
will receive an endorsement to take the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge exam.
College course designator, description, and information for the Private Pilot Ground School is as follows:
AVMT 141 - Private Pilot Ground School covers aerodynamics, aircraft systems, flight theory, navigation, meteorology,
safety, aircraft loading, weight & balance, aircraft performance, physiology. and private pilot maneuvers.
OFFERED:
During the Fall and Spring semesters there are 3-4 class sections:
Meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays daytime & evenings.
CREDITS: 3 credits (or students may audit course), 45 hours of classroom instruction
COST: This is a 3-credit course (textbooks additional $60.00)
See Tuition & Fee Schedule
INSTRUMENT PILOT GROUND SCHOOL
The instrument pilot ground school provides students with the aeronautical knowledge required by FAA regulations for the
instrument rating. Students completing this course will receive an endorsement to take the FAA Instrument Pilot
Knowledge Exam.
College course designator, description, and information for the Instrument Pilot Ground School is as follows:
AVMT 241 - Instrument Pilot Ground School includes flight by reference to instruments, the air route structure & air
traffic control system, navigation systems, weather radar and thunderstorm avoidance equipment, IFR navigation, safety,
regulations, meteorology, communications, flight physiology, and terminal operations.
OFFERED:
During the Fall and Spring semesters there are 2-3 class sections:
Meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays daytime & evenings.
CREDITS: 4 credits (or students may audit course), 60 hours of classroom instruction
COST: This is a 4-credit course (textbooks additional $60.00)
See Tuition & Fee Schedule
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PILOT GROUND SCHOOLS
COMMERCIAL PILOT GROUND SCHOOL
The commercial pilot ground school provides students with the aeronautical knowledge required by FAA regulations for the
commercial pilot certificate. Students completing this course will receive an endorsement to take the FAA commercial
pilot written exam.
College course designator, description, and information for the Commercial Pilot Ground School is as follows:
AVMT 246 - Commercial Pilot Ground School studies advanced aerodynamics, advanced aircraft systems, operation of
high performance aircraft, including multi-engine & turbine aircraft, flight physiology, safety, meteorology, commercial pilot
regulations, commercial pilot maneuvers, and crew resource management (CRM).
OFFERED: Monday evenings during the Fall & Spring semesters
CREDITS: 4 credits (or students may audit course), 60 hours of classroom instruction
COST: This is a 4-credit course (textbooks additional $ 60.00)
See Tuition & Fee Schedule
FAA TESTING CENTER
CCBC is an FAA-Approved LaserGrade Testing Center. All exams for pilots, flight instructors, and aviation
mechanics,may be administered at our site. CCBC students and students at affiliated flight schools receive a 10%
discount for exams. Exams are administered at a cost of $150.00 for CCBC students and affiliated Flight School students
and $ 165.00 for others.
For more information, visit CCBC
the LaserGrade web site
Call 443-840-4157 or e-mail [email protected] to schedule an exam.
FLIGHT SIMULATORS
The CCBC Aviation Department has FAA Approved simulators for use by students and instructors. This simulator may be
used for instrument training, multi-engine training, and various types of transition training as 20 different aircraft panels may
be displayed including Piper Archer, Arrow, Seneca & Seminole, Cessna 172, 182, Mooney M-20 series, Beechcraft Baron
and King Air 200.
Call 443-840-4157 to schedule.
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