Single Engine Training
Structured commercial single-engine training for pilots building toward the airlines. Join at 225–230 total hours and finish your commercial certificate while building the remaining time with us. Train in the Diamond DA40 — glass cockpit, Garmin G1000 avionics, fuel-injected engine. Financing available through Stratus Financial.
The CSEL program is built around one core FAA milestone: 250 hours of total flight time. That's the minimum required to be eligible for the commercial checkride, and everything in this program is designed around getting you there efficiently and checkride-ready.
The ideal time to start is between 225 and 230 hours total time. That way, the 20–25 hours of flight training you do with us gets you to 250 while simultaneously bringing you to ACS standards across all commercial maneuvers. You're not building hours for the sake of it — every flight is preparing you for the checkride.
If you already have 250+ hours, we'll do a proficiency assessment and tailor the program to close the gaps — you may need fewer flight hours to get checkride-ready.
| Requirement | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Flight Time | 250 hrs | Join at 225–230 hrs |
| Commercial Flight Training | 20 hrs | With an authorized instructor |
| Instrument Training | 10 hrs | Instrument rating satisfies this |
| Solo/PIC Time | 10 hrs | In a single-engine airplane |
| Solo Cross-Country | 300 NM | One leg > 250 NM |
| Night Operations | Required | Included in training |
| Complex/TAA Aircraft | Required | DA40 qualifies as TAA |
| Written Exam (CAX) | Pass before checkride | Ground support included |
| FAA Medical | 2nd Class minimum | Student's responsibility |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old | For certificate issuance |
Evaluate current skills, review maneuver standards, establish baseline proficiency and training plan.
Chandelles, lazy eights, eights on pylons, steep spirals. Building precision to ACS standards.
Power-off 180s, short-field, soft-field operations. Consistent accuracy under varying conditions.
Solo cross-country flights, time building toward 250 hours, navigation and fuel management.
Mock checkride flights, oral exam review, weak-area polishing, maneuvers to ACS standards.
Practical test with a designated pilot examiner. Oral exam and flight test. You walk out a Commercial Pilot.
You need at least 225–230 total flight hours to begin the CSEL program. The FAA requires 250 hours total for the commercial certificate — we build the remaining time with structured training and cross-country flights.
Yes. The instrument rating is a prerequisite for the commercial single-engine certificate. If you don't have your IR yet, check out our Instrument Rating program.
Timeline varies based on your starting hours. If you join at 225 hours, plan for 4–6 weeks of training. If you're closer to 250, the maneuver-focused portion can be completed in 2–3 weeks.
Yes. Financing is available through Stratus Financial. You can apply before starting and spread the investment over time.
The DA40 qualifies as a Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) with its glass cockpit, Garmin G1000 avionics — satisfying the complex/TAA requirement for the commercial certificate. It's comfortable, fuel-efficient, and built for training.
Get Started
Fill out the form below and we will be in touch within 24 hours with a personalized training plan.
(480) 640-4160
sales@goflightstars.com
Mon–Fri: 7 AM – 6 PM
Sat: 8 AM – 4 PM
Sun: By appt
4550 E McKellips Rd STE 101, Mesa, AZ 85215
Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ)