No. Both start the same 8-day accelerated course. The rating is added to the certificate you hold, so your privileges follow that certificate. Our guide to the 8-day course walks through each stage.
Private vs Commercial
Multi-Engine Add-On
The same 8-day course can go on a private or a commercial certificate. Here is what changes, and which one fits your goal.
The Course Is the Same.
The Privileges Are Not.
A multi-engine rating is a class rating added to a pilot certificate you already hold. Our multi-engine program is built to be completed in 8 days, and it starts from at least a private pilot certificate.
That means a private pilot and a commercial pilot take the same training path: 8 hours of ground school, 5 hours of online videos, 8 hours of dual flight instruction, and 9.5 hours of aircraft rental, with the checkride flight portion included. What differs is the certificate the rating is added to, and the flying that certificate allows.
So the decision is less about the course and more about where you are in your training and where you want to go.
- Add-on to a private certificate: a fit for pilots who want to fly more capable aircraft for personal flying.
- Add-on to a commercial certificate: a fit for pilots building toward charter, cargo, corporate, or airline work.
- Same course either way: 8 days, a Piper Twin Comanche, and a checkride with an FAA examiner.
Side by Side:
Private vs Commercial Add-On
Here is how the two paths compare on what pilots ask us most.
| Criteria | Add-On to a Private Certificate | Add-On to a Commercial Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate you hold | Private pilot certificate | Commercial pilot certificate |
| Course length | 8-day accelerated course | 8-day accelerated course |
| Training included | 8 hours ground school, 5 hours videos, 8 hours dual, 9.5 hours aircraft rental | 8 hours ground school, 5 hours videos, 8 hours dual, 9.5 hours aircraft rental |
| FAA written exam | None | None |
| Checkride with an FAA examiner | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aircraft | Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche | Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche |
| Program investment | $4,440 - $4,850 | $4,440 - $4,850 |
| Flying for compensation or hire | ✕ | ✓ |
| Typical goal | Personal flying in more capable aircraft | Charter, cargo, corporate, and airline career paths |
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to hold at least a private pilot certificate and earn the required endorsements from an authorized instructor before the checkride.
No. There is no FAA written exam for this add-on rating.
Many pilots add the rating to the certificate they hold today. Tell us your plan and we will help you decide whether to add it now or after your next certificate. Our commercial pilot program is the usual next step.
The program investment runs $4,440 to $4,850. We bill pay as you go, and our financing partners include Stratus Financial, AOPA Financing, and Columbia Bank.
Which Add-On
Fits You?
If you fly for the joy of it and want a more capable airplane, adding the rating to your private certificate gives you twin-engine experience without changing your plans.
If you are heading toward charter, cargo, corporate, or airline flying, adding it to your commercial certificate lines the rating up with the career you are building. Our Zero-1500 program covers the longer airline route.
Not sure which fits? Tell us your certificate, your goal, and your dates, and we will point you to the right option.
- Hobby or personal flying: add it to your private certificate.
- Career flying: add it to your commercial certificate.
- Still deciding: talk to our team before you choose.
Still Not Sure?
Talk To Our Team
Tell us your goal and your schedule, and a member of our Van Nuys team will point you to the right option.