Commercial Pilot Training in Des Moines, Iowa
Earn Your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) at Our In-Person Flight Academy
Training in new modern aircraft fleet
~40 hours of training with a Certified Flight Instructor
Complete in as little as 2-3 months, depending on experience and schedule
100% in-person ground classes from experienced instructors
What People Are Saying About Vertical Vision’s Commercial Pilot License (CPL) at Our In-Person Flight Academy
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Just passed my commercial multi add-on checkride on the first try after training for four days with MEI Milton Ventura! Milton provided high-quality instruction and created a great learning environment during ground and simulator training and in the aircraft. The experience of training in a brand new Seminole made transitioning from other glass panel aircraft very seamless. I recommend anyone looking to quickly move through their multi-engine training to consider Vertical Vision and Milton V.!
- Michael Schmeltzer
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As a current student at Vertical Vision Flight Academy, I can tell you with confidence that they will get you where you want to be and make your dreams start to become reality. Even as a student who works full-time in the corporate world (career change), Vertical Vision works with me to make sure I'm getting the quality training I need when it's most convenient for me. Don't let the age of the flight school worry you–they have knowledgeable and experienced instructors, modern and well-kept planes, and an owner (Ed) who is present and listens to student feedback. I came into Vertical Vision with my private pilot license already secured, and Vertical has gotten me through my instrument and commercial training without any checkride failures. My instructor, Paul Kraemer, has to take most of the credit for my success. He is the most experienced instructor that Vertical has and it shows. He is extremely knowledgeable, supportive, and responsive. Paul knows how to cater to his students, and he has seen his students pass their private, instrument, commercial, and flight instructor checkrides with flying colors. Paul knows how to add fun to the learning process, and I would highly recommend him to any student, new or experienced.
- Brady Kutz
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Vertical Vision has been nothing but exceptional for me! As an individual who often struggles in most schooling types of environments, just being able to sit down one-on-one with my instructor Bailey has been an invaluable asset to my success in my flight training over the last 14 months in this program! Bailey along with all the flight instructors at Vertical Vision are super knowledgeable, very relatable, skillful, very patient, and most importantly always professional! My instructor Bailey and I have flown in many different types of aircrafts within Vertical Vision’s growing fleet! I couldn’t thank her enough for the growing confidence in my ever-expanding knowledge as well as my understanding of how to prepare for real world situational experiences while flying!
My instructor Bailey makes every flight experience and ground class we have together an absolutely enjoyable, informative, and supportive environment! Being a veteran and in my mid-20s, I thought the transition would be very difficult to try to jump back into any school-like environment! Bailey and all the other instructors here at Vertical Vision have made my dreams of becoming a pilot a reality! I could not thank all the incredibly talented instructors enough! I highly recommend Vertical Vision to anyone looking to pursue a career in aviation or just wanting to give flying a try for the very first time! Everyone at Vertical Vision is truly the very best in all of the Midwest!!
- Austin Beerbower
What Are the FAA Requirements for Becoming a Commercial Pilot?
At Vertical Vision Flight Academy, our commercial pilot program is your gateway to getting paid for what you love—flying! The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set specific time and training requirements to ensure your success as a professional pilot. Here at Vertical Vision, we help you meet each of these standards:
Have your Private Pilot License (PPL)
Be at least 18 years old
Pass the FAA Knowledge Test (written) and Practical Exam (checkride)
250 hours of total flight time in our Part 61 program with at least:
100 hours of Pilot In Command
10 hours of Instrument Flight Training
20 hours of instruction
Day and night cross-country flight training of at least 100 nm
One 300 nm solo cross-country
10 hours of solo flight
5 hours of night VFR with at least 10 takeoffs & landings at a towered airport at night
Specific training in a Complex, Turbine-Powered, or Technically Advanced Aircraft
Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On Training
Enhance your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with a FAA Commercial Multi-Engine Land (AMEL) rating! This advanced certification qualifies you to fly multi-engine aircraft for hire—and is a key requirement for most airline, cargo, and corporate pilot jobs.
The add-on program does not require any additional flight hours or written tests beyond the requirements for the commercial single-engine license (CSEL). Our experienced multi-engine instructors (MEIs) will prepare you for your final checkride with training in our brand new Piper Seminole twin-engine aircraft equipped with G1000 avionics and upgraded safety features.
Duration: typically completed in 1–2 weeks
Curriculum: includes multi-engine flight operations, complex aircraft experience, and real-world emergency procedures training
Estimated Training Hours
Commercial Single-Engine
Flight Training: ~40 hours of training with a CFI
Solo Flight Training: ~30 hours
Safety Pilot Training: ~20 hours
Commercial Multi-Engine
Multi-Engine Training: ~5 hours with a MEI
Simulator Training: ~5 hours with a MEI
Ground Instruction: ~3 hours with a MEI
Disclaimer: The estimated training hours provided are based on student averages and may vary. Actual hours may be less or more, depending on individual performance and learning pace.
Why Train at Des Moines International Airport?
Our commercial pilot program is built around real-world experience and professional-level training based right here at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM). KDSM is a Class Charlie Airspace, which means you’ll benefit from daily communication training with air traffic control (ATC). This will give you the confidence and communication skills that mirror what you'll encounter in commercial operations.
You’ll also learn in our dynamic, in-person ground school environment and full-motion flight simulator led by expert instructors who bring practical insight to every lesson.
The Path to Becoming a Commercial Pilot
Our structured commercial pilot course is taught in person by experienced instructors who bring the textbook to life with real-world examples and practical insights. You'll dive deep into advanced aerodynamics, systems, regulations, high altitude operations, performance calculations, and commercial maneuvers—all in a focused, collaborative classroom setting. This face-to-face instruction ensures you're not just memorizing content but truly understanding it.
With the added benefit of peer discussion and immediate instructor feedback, our in-person ground class builds a solid foundation for both your checkride and your future career as a commercial pilot.
Structured Flight Training
Our commercial flight training is broken into clearly defined stages, guiding you from advanced proficiency to professional-level performance. You'll develop precision through complex maneuvers, cross-country navigation, and high-performance aircraft operations—all under the mentorship of experienced certified flight instructors (CFIs).
Each lesson follows a structured syllabus designed to build confidence, reinforce core skills, and ensure consistent progress. Stage checks and time building are built into the program to assess your development, reinforce understanding, and keep you on track toward your goals. Upon successful completion of our program and the FAA practical exam, you will be issued your commercial pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating.
With access to our in-house multi-engine program here in Des Moines, you can go on to complete the additional ratings needed to stand out in today’s competitive aviation industry—all in one seamless path.
Take Flight at Vertical Vision
Learn to fly at Vertical Vision’s Central Iowa aviation academy. You’ll master the skies in our premier fleet of modern aircraft, preparing you for the technology used in today’s commercial flight decks. Plus, with our in-house multi-engine program, you'll have the opportunity to earn the ratings employers look for—all in one place.
Our commercial pilot program at KDSM provides a complete, career-focused training path designed to make you the most competitive commercial pilot candidate possible. Whether you're flying for fun or looking to soar with the country’s top airlines, we provide top-notch, supportive aviation instruction, technology, and connections to make your goals a reality.
