Zero to Hero takes you from no flight experience to a Commercial Pilot License in one continuous program.
You go from the Private Pilot License to the Instrument Rating to the commercial certificate without pausing between them. It can be done in as little as one year, though weather and your own pace affect the timeline.
The Path, in Order
Private Pilot License
The first certificate. The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours, flown in our Cessna 172 Skyhawks.
Instrument Rating
40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, part of it in the Redbird FMX simulator.
Commercial Pilot License
A minimum of 250 total flight hours, a knowledge exam and a practical test. This is the certificate that lets you be paid to fly.
CFI and CFII
Both instructor certificates are included in the full path. Instructing is the most common way pilots build hours toward airline and corporate jobs.
What is the Zero to Hero Program?
It is the private, instrument and commercial training run as one course. You do not wait between certificates, so you keep flying and keep your momentum.
The program is built for people starting from zero. Many students begin with their first discovery flight.
Intakes open monthly, so you start when you decide to.
What It Costs
The full Zero to Hero path runs about $78,000. That covers the Private, Instrument and Commercial programs plus the CFI and CFII.
We partner with Stratus Financial, a lender founded by flight and ground instructors. Stratus offers full flight school financing, with payment deferment for up to 12 months while you train and find a job. There are no prepayment penalties.
You can apply through our financing page.
What Skills Will I Learn?
The program covers:
- Basic Aircraft Control and Maintenance
- Navigation
- Communication
- Weather Analysis
- Instrument Flying
- Emergency Procedures
What Career Opportunities are Available After I finish the Program?
A commercial certificate means you can be paid to fly. It leads toward:
- Airline pilot positions
- Corporate aviation
- Cargo flying
- Flight instructing
Flying for an airline takes an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which requires a minimum of 1,500 flight hours. Instructing is the most common way pilots reach those hours. We hire instructors, and we support graduates moving into that step.
How Long Does The Program Take to Complete?
As little as one year, from zero experience to a Commercial Pilot License.
Weather and your individual progress affect the timeline. We fly essentially dawn to dusk, and a dispatcher schedules around your job or school.
Call (208) 996-8645 and ask what a realistic finish date looks like for your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zero to Hero program?
Zero to Hero is our accelerated, all-in-one flight training program that takes you from no experience to a career-ready commercial pilot. Instead of pausing between your Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot License, you progress through all of them in one streamlined, continuous path, so you keep flying, keep your momentum, and reach your goal faster.
Which certificates and ratings are included?
The program carries you through the full professional sequence: Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot License, with the option to continue into your CFI to start building hours as an instructor.
Do I need any prior experience to start?
None at all. Zero to Hero is designed for people starting from zero. If you've never flown before, this is built for you, and many students begin with their very first discovery flight.
How long does the full Zero to Hero program take?
In as little as one year, you can go from zero experience to a Commercial Pilot License. Weather and your individual pace affect the timeline, but the accelerated, continuous structure is specifically designed to get you there as efficiently as possible.
How much does the Zero to Hero program cost?
The full Zero to Hero path runs about $78,000, and that figure includes your CFI and CFII. It covers the Private, Instrument and Commercial programs plus both instructor certificates in one continuous course of training, which is what makes it the most cost-effective way to reach a professional certificate and start building hours as an instructor. Stratus Financial offers full flight-school financing built for exactly this kind of program.
Can I go from no experience to a paid flying career through this program?
Yes, that's the entire point. Zero to Hero is built to turn a complete beginner into a commercial pilot who can be paid to fly.
Is financing available for the program?
Yes. We partner with Stratus Financial, which was founded by flight and ground instructors and offers full flight-school financing, competitive rates, payment deferment for up to 12 months while you train and find a job, and no prepayment penalties. You can apply directly through our Financing page.
Will I be able to build hours as an instructor afterward?
Yes. Continuing into your CFI after the program lets you build flight hours while getting paid to teach, the most common route pilots use to reach airline and corporate hour requirements. We hire instructors and support graduates moving into that next step.
