Quality Score
Fair
Base (15) + components above = 58
About
Command Aviation is a full service maintenance facility and flight school located at Bellingham International Airport (KBLI). Established in 2009, we provide AP/IA aircraft maintenance and repair, fixed wing flight training, and aircraft rentals to the Pacific Northwest aviation community.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-28-161 (Warrior II) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $85 – $330/hr | $5,800 – $23,100 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,000 – $32,000 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Command Aviation is estimated to cost $8,000 – $32,000. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Command Aviation operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, Command Aviation does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
Command Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Piper PA-28-161 (Warrior II), and Piper PA-28-181 (Archer II). Having multiple types in the fleet keeps your training on track if one plane is down for maintenance. Ask the school about current availability and any additional charges per aircraft.
Yes, Command Aviation has the following flight training device: Gleim BATD. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Command Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.