Overview
The Professional Pilot program is designed to meet the needs of students who plan a career as a pilot in commercial aviation. The program leads to F.A.A. certification as a commercial pilot with an instrument rating. Most classes take place at the Center for Advanced Aviation (CAA). The CAA is a newly renovated, 40,000 square foot facility adjacent to the Duluth International Airport’s flight line and right next door to Cirrus Aircraft. Students in this program begin flight training by the second week of class, and should earn their private Pilot license in their very first semester. View Catalog or Request Info
Skills & Knowledge
FAA Certifications earned: Private Pilot License Instrument Rating Commercial Pilot License Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certification Multi-Engine Certification (airplane)
Plan Your Education
The Program Guide is a tool to help you map out how to successfully get your degree at Lake Superior College. Program Guide
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$81,000
Approximate total tuition & fees with the flight fees listed below for MN residents to complete this degree.
2 Years
The aviation degree may be completed in 2 years if prerequisites are complete.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Regional air carrier pilot
- Freight pilot
- Charter pilot
- Helicopter pilot
- Pipeline Patrol
- Airplane flight instructor
- Aviation safety inspector
Duluth Hourly Wage
Minnesota Hourly Wage
US Hourly Wage
Flight Fees: 2018-2019 Academic Year
Archived Fees
Flight Fees per Course
Airplane flight fees per course
| Course | Description | Dual Flight Hours |
Solo Flight Hours |
Simulator Hours |
Pre / Post Hours |
Ground Hours |
Flight Time Cost |
| AVIA 1250* | Private Pilot Airplane | 40 | 5 | 5 | 38.6 | 11.4 *** | $14,215.00 |
| AVIA 1550* | Instrument Pilot Airplane | 31 | 10 **** | 14 | 35.5 | 16.5 *** | $14,781.00 |
| AVIA 2150* | Commercial Pilot Airplane | 35 | 0 | 15 | 28.7 | 11.3 *** | $12,290.00 |
| AVIA 2175* | Commercial Pilot Airplane MEL/SEL | 41 | 0 | 9 | 25.4 | 14.6 *** | $16,388.00 |
| AVIA 2250 | Certified Flight Instructor Airplane | 15 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 50 | $7,945.00 |
| AVIA 2275** | CFI Instrument Airplane | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | $6,635.00 |
| AVIA 2285** | CFI Multi-Engine Airplane | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | $7,985.00 |
| AVIA 2324** | Seaplane Add On Rating SEL | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $4,520.00 |
| AVIA 2326** | Multi-Engine Airplane | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | $7,985.00 |
* Indicates course is Pt. 141.
**AVIA 2275, AVIA 2285, AVIA 2324, and AVIA 2326 are not required courses.
***Remarks: Ground training will consist of the listed hours in addition to academic courses required as part of our Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot and Commercial Pilot TCOs. Tuition and fees for these courses are not included in Flight Time Cost listed above.
****Can be flown as solo time or PDPIC time.
Helicopter flight fees per course
| Course | Description | Dual Flight Hours |
Solo Flight Hours |
Pre / Post Hours |
Ground Hours |
Flight Time Cost |
| AVIA 1255* | Private Pilot Helicopter | 53 | 5 | 60 | ** | $40,195.00 |
| AVIA 1555* | Instrument Pilot Helicopter | 48 | 0 | 75 | ** | $35,495.00 |
| AVIA 2155* | Commercial Pilot Helicopter | 30 | 10 | 33 | ** | $27,655.00 |
| AVIA 2255 | Certified Flight Instructor Helicopter | 30 | 0 | 75 | ** | $27,375.00 |
| AVIA 2335* | Turbine Trans/External Load | 20 | 0 | 21 | ** | $17,260.00 |
*Indicates course is Pt. 141.
**Ground training will consist of academic courses required as part of our Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot, and Turbine Transition/External Load TCOs. Tuition and fees for these courses are not included in Flight Time Cost listed above.
Flight fee detail per course
AVIA 1550 - Instrument Pilot Airplane Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction Cirrus SR20* | 31 | $239.00 | $7,409.00 |
| Solo (or PDPIC) Flight Cirrus SR20** | 10 | $239.00 | $2,390.00 |
| Simulator Flight Instruction* | 14 | $131.00 | $1,834.00 |
| Pre/Post/ Ground Briefing | 52 | $49.00 | $2,548.00 |
| Check Ride | -- | -- | $600.00 |
| Total Cost = | $14,781.00 |
*Includes the rental cost per hour of the aircraft/simulator plus the $49.00/hr Flight Instructor fee.
**May be flown as Solo or PDPIC, price listed is as if flown PDPIC.
Remarks: Additional ground training consists of academic courses AVIA 1501 and AVIA 1550. These courses are required as part of our Instrument Pilot TCO. Tuition and fees for these academic courses are not included in total cost listed above.
AVIA 2150 - Commercial Pilot Airplane Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction Cirrus SR20* | 15 | $239.00 | $3,585.00 |
| Dual Flight Instruction C172/182RG* | 10 | $239.00 | $2,390.00 |
| Dual Flight Instruction Citabria* | 10 | $239.00 | $2,390.00 |
| Simulator Flight Instruction* | 15 | $131.00 | $1,965.00 |
| Pre/Post/ Ground Briefing | 40 | $49.00 | $1,960.00 |
| Total Cost = | $12,290.00 |
*Includes the rental cost per hour of the aircraft/simulator plus the $49.00/hr Flight Instructor fee.
Remarks: Additional ground training consists of academic courses AVIA 2102 and AVIA 2140. These courses are required as part of our Commercial Pilot TCO. Tuition and fees for these academic courses are not included in total cost listed above.
AVIA 2175 - Commercial Pilot Airplane MEL/SEL Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction C172/182RG* | 16 | $239.00 | $3,824.00 |
| Dual Flight Instruction PA 44T* | 25 | $329.00 | $8,225.00 |
| Simulator Flight Instruction* | 9 | $131.00 | $1,179.00 |
| Pre/Post/ Ground Briefing | 40 | $49.00 | $1,960.00 |
| Check Ride (x2) | -- | -- | $1,200.00 |
| Total Cost = | $16,388.00 |
*Includes the rental cost per hour of the aircraft/simulator plus the $49.00/hr Flight Instructor fee.
Remarks: Additional ground training consists of academic course AVIA 2165. This course is required as part of our Commercial Pilot TCO. Tuition and fees for this academic course are not included in total cost listed above.
AVIA 2250 - Certified Flight Instructor Airplane Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction C172/182RG* | 14 | $239.00 | $3,346.00 |
| Dual Flight Instruction Citabria* | 1 | $239.00 | $239.00 |
| Simulator Flight Instruction* | 10 | $131.00 | $1,310.00 |
| Pre/Post/ Ground Briefing | 50 | $49.00 | $2,450.00 |
| Check Ride | -- | -- | $600.00 |
| Total Cost = | $7,945.00 |
*Includes the rental cost per hour of the aircraft/simulator plus the $49.00/hr Flight Instructor fee.
Remarks: Additional ground training consists of academic courses AVIA 2201 and AVIA 2240. Tuition and fees for these academic courses are not included in total cost listed above.
AVIA 2275 - CFI Instrument Airplane Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction Cirrus SR20* | 15 | $239.00 | $3,585.00 |
| Ground Instruction | 50 | $49.00 | $2,450.00 |
| Check Ride | -- | -- | $600.00 |
| Total Cost = | $6,635.00 |
AVIA 2285 - CFI Multi Engine Airplane Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction PA44T* | 15 | $329.00 | $4,935.00 |
| Ground Instruction | 50 | $49.00 | $2,450.00 |
| Check Ride | -- | -- | $600.00 |
| Total Cost = | $7,985.00 |
AVIA 2324 - Seaplane Add-On Rating SEL Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction Cessna 172 SES* | 10 | $294.00 | $2,940.00 |
| Ground Instruction | 20 | $49.00 | $980.00 |
| Check Ride | -- | -- | $600.00 |
| Total Cost = | $4,520.00 |
AVIA 2326 - Multi-Engine Airplane Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction PA 44T* | 15 | $329.00 | $4,935.00 |
| Ground Instruction | 50 | $49.00 | $2,450.00 |
| Check Ride | -- | -- | $600.00 |
| Total Cost = | $7,985.00 |
AVIA 1250 - Private Pilot Airplane Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction Cirrus SR20* | 40 | $239.00 | $9,560.00 |
| Solo Flight Cirrus SR20 | 5 | $190.00 | $950.00 |
| Simulator Flight Instruction* | 5 | $131.00 | $655.00 |
| Pre/Post/ Ground Briefing | 50 | $49.00 | $2,450.00 |
| Check Ride | -- | -- | $600.00 |
| Total Cost = | $14,215.00 |
*Includes the rental cost per hour of the aircraft/simulator plus the $49.00/hr Flight Instructor fee.
Remarks: 58 hours of Ground School is conducted in academic courses AVIA 1201 and AVIA 1240. These courses are a required part of our Private Pilot TCO. Tuition and fees for these academic courses are not included in total cost listed above.
AVIA 1255 - Private Pilot Helicopter Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour |
Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction R-44 | 53 | $590.00 | $31,270.00 |
| Solo Flight R-44 | 5 | $530.00 | $2,650.00 |
| Pre/Post Flight Briefing | 60 | $60.00 | $3,600.00 |
| Check Ride* | -- | -- | $2,500.00 |
| POH + Check List +EFB** | -- | -- | $175.00 |
| Total Cost = | $40,195.00 |
**Includes Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and EFB upkeep.
Note: The ForeFlight application and POH cannot be certified for Veterans Education Benefits.
AVIA 1555 - Instrument Pilot Helilcopter Flight Lab*
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction R-44 | 48 | $590.00 | $28,320.00 |
| Pre/Post Flight Briefing** | 75 | $60.00 | $4,500.00 |
| Check Ride*** | -- | -- | $2,500.00 | IFR + EFB**** | -- | -- | $175.00 |
| Total Cost = | $35,495.00 |
*The Robinson R22 is required to be utilized (if currently available) for students that meet the weight restrictions as required by the manufacturer.
** Includes 19 hours of one-on-one simulator instruction.
*** Includes aircraft, DPE, & Instructor.
**** Includes Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), EFB upkeep, & IFR equipment.
AVIA 2155 - Commercial Pilot Helicopter Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost |
| Dual Flight Instruction R-44 | 30 | $590.00 | $17,700.00 |
| Solo Flight R-44 | 10 | $530.00 | $5,300.00 |
| Pre/Post Flight Briefing | 33 | $60.00 | $1,980.00 |
| Check Ride* | -- | -- | $2,500.00 |
| EFB + EFB Upkeep | -- | -- | $175.00 |
| Total Cost = | $27,655.00 |
*Includes aircraft, DPE, & Instructor.
AVIA 2255 – Certified Flight Instructor Helicopter Flight Lab*
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost | |
| Dual Flight Instruction R-44 | 30 | $590.00 | $17,700.00 | |
| Pre/Post Flight Briefing | 75 | $60.00 | $4,500.00 | |
| Check Ride (x2)** | -- | -- | $5,000.00 | |
| EFB + EFB Upkeep | -- | -- | $175.00 | |
| Total Cost = |
|
*The Robinson R22 is required to be utilized (if currently available) for students that meet the weight restrictions as required by the manufacturer.
**Includes aircraft, DPE, and Instructor. Includes both Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) & Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) check ride costs.
AVIA 2335 - Turbine Transition/External Load Helicopter Flight Lab
| Item | # of Hours | Cost Per Hour | Total Cost | |
| Dual Flight Instruction Bell 206 | 5 | $1,350.00 | $6,750.00 | |
| Dual Flight instruction R-44 | 15 | $605.00* | $9,075.00 | |
| Pre/Post Flight Briefing | 21 | $60.00 | $1,260.00 | |
| EFB + EFB Upkeep | -- | -- | $175.00 | |
| Total Cost = |
|
*Includes External Load equipment surcharge.
Flight fee detail per aircraft
Hourly rates for helicopters
| Aircraft Type | Horsepower | Hourly Rate |
| Robinson R-44 | 205 | $530.00 |
| Bell 206 | 420 | $1,290.00 |
| Flight Instructor | - | $60.00 |
| Check Ride* | - | $2,500.00 |
*Includes DPE, aircraft, & Instructor.
Remarks: The hourly cost for the R44 during the external load portion of AVIA 2335 will increase by $15/hr for the external load equipment surcharge.
Hourly rates for airplanes
| Aircraft Type | Horsepower | Hourly Rate |
| American Champion Citabria | 180 | $190.00 |
| Cessna 172RG | 180 | $190.00 |
| Cessna 182RG | 230 | $190.00 |
| Cirrus SR20 | 200 | $190.00 |
| Piper PA44T | 180 | $280.00 |
| Cessna 172SES | 160 | $245.00 |
| Flight Instructor | - | $49.00 |
| Check Ride | - | $600.00 |
*Includes DPE, aircraft, & Instructor.
Remarks: The hourly cost for the R44 during the external load portion of AVIA 2335 will increase by $15/hr for the external load equipment surcharge.
Hourly rates for simulators
| Simulator Type | Hourly Rate |
| AATD (airplane) | $82.00 |
***Flight Fees are subject to change. Lake Superior College does it’s best to accurately publish fees, but sometimes things outside of our control may cause changes in flight fees.
Program participation requirements
All LSC Flight Students must meet Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements. U.S. citizens must provide the following to the flight school: A valid unexpired U.S. passport, or
- Original birth certificate and a government issued picture ID, or
- Original certificate of birth abroad with raised seal and government issued ID, or
- Original certificate of US citizenship with raised seal and government issued ID, or
- Original US naturalization certificate with raised seal and government issued ID.
Students in this program must pass a Class II FAA Medical certification in order to fly at LSC. If you are not from the Duluth/Superior area, you can look on the FAA website for an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) near you. Local Flight Physical AME’s:
David Arvold St. Luke’s Internal Med. Assoc 1001 E. Superior Street 218-249-7960
David Arvold St. Luke’s Internal Med. Assoc 1001 E. Superior Street 218-249-7960
Paul A. Jones Essentia Health Lakewalk 1502 London Road Suite 102 (218) 727-8228
Steven Long Mount Royal Medical Center 1400 Woodland Ave 218-249-8800
Janus Butcher Physicians Specialty Clinic SMMC 3500 Tower Ave. Superior WI 715-392-1251
- General advisor: Emily Chapinski
(218) 733-5983 - Program Director: Dan Traska
(218) 733-7737 - Helicopter information: Eric Monson
(218) 213-7095
Career resources:
