Midwest Corporate Air | Zero To Hero
Midwest Corporate Air | Zero To Hero
Zero to Hero

Become a Professional Pilot in 12 Months.

From your first flight to your first paycheck. One structured program. Every rating. A clear path to the airlines.

✓ Cirrus Authorized Training Center
✓ 600+ Pilots Trained Per Year
✓ In-House DPE · Bellefontaine, OH
Program Overview
Hear directly from founder & DPE Steve Buchenroth
6-12 mo
To Every Rating
255 hrs
Total Flight Time
Price shown reflects the standard course footprint. Students who need additional flight time beyond this are billed the applicable overage rate.
12
Ratings & Endorsements
17,000
Pilots Needed Annually
Two Paths. One Decision.

The Traditional Route Takes 4 Years.
This One Takes 12 Months.

The Traditional Path
✗ 4 years before your first real paycheck
✗ $100,000+ in student debt with no flight hours
✗ Average starting salary around $55,000
✗ Career path uncertain and highly competitive
✗ Hope something works out
The MCA Zero to Hero Path
✓ Earning $40,000 to $60,000 within 12 months
✓ Financing available up to $110,000 through Quest Federal Credit Union
✓ Loan repaid during your earning years, not before
✓ Six-figure airline career within 3 to 5 years
✓ 17,000 pilots needed every year through 2033
Everything You Get

12 Ratings and Endorsements.
One Structured Curriculum.

Zero experience to career-ready professional pilot. Every certificate and endorsement you need to teach, build hours, and advance to the airlines.

✈️
"Zero to Hero" Package
255 total hours · 12 ratings & endorsements
Full Program
#
Rating
Course
Aircraft
01
Private Pilot
Private Pilot (ZH)
DA-20
02
Instrument Rating
Instrument Rating (ZH)
DA-20 DA-40 SR-20 ALSIM
03
High Performance
High Performance Endorsement (ZH)
SR-20
04
Commercial Pilot
Commercial Pilot (ZH) + Tailwheel (ZH) (optional)
DA-20 DA-40
05
Multi-Engine
Multi-Engine (ZH)
DA-42
06
Complex
Complex Endorsement (ZH)
DA-42(with multi)
07
CFI
Certified Flight Instructor (ZH)
DA-20 DA-40
08
CFII
Certified Instrument Flight Instructor (ZH)
SR-20
09
MEI
Multi-Engine Instructor (ZH)
DA-42
10
High Altitude
Vision Jet High Altitude Endorsement (ZH)
SF50
5 additional hours available at DA-42 rates if needed
✓
Complete Package
10 ratings + endorsements included
6 Aircraft 1 Simulator
Endorsements Included
🔧
Complex Endorsement
⚡
High Performance Endorsement
🛫
High Altitude Endorsement
OPTIONAL
🏆
Tailwheel Endorsement
🔄
Spin Endorsement
Your Career Trajectory

From Enrollment
to the Left Seat.

A defined career path in a $300K industry with 17,000 new pilots needed every year.

1

Step 1

Enroll

Secure your financing through Quest Federal Credit Union. Begin training at Midwest Corporate Air in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

2

Step 2

Complete Zero to Hero

6 to 12 months. Earn every rating from Private Pilot through MEI. Graduate as a certified professional pilot with jet time in your logbook.

3

Year One

Teach and Build Hours

Work as a CFI at any flight school nationwide. Build the 1,500 hours required for your Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

$40,000 to $60,000+ / year

4

Year 2-3

Regional Airline First Officer

Starting salary at a regional airline. Seniority begins. You are building toward the majors.

$90,000+ / year

5

Year 5+

Major Airline Captain

Left seat of a commercial jet. Career earnings in the top percentile. Well before 40.

$150,000 to $300,000+ / year

MCA does not guarantee CFI employment. Career placement opportunities exist with operators and flight schools nationwide. Salary ranges are industry estimates and vary by region and employer.

Zero to Hero at Midwest Corporate Air

Your Career Starts
the Day You Enroll.

12 months. Every rating. 255 hours. A defined path from zero experience to the airlines.

$117,600
Course Estimate
255
Total Hours
12
Ratings
6–12
Months
Program price, examiner fees included
$117,600
Housing, six months at $1,350
About $8,100
Realistically, all in
About $144,000
Quest Federal Credit Union lends, per borrower
Up to $110,000
So plan to bring, over the course of training
About $34,000
Your medical and any hours beyond the designed sequence are also on top. Quest pays us directly and sets your terms with you. Most people do this in stages, and we can price each stage on its own.
Financing available through Quest Federal Credit Union. Pre-qualification takes 5 minutes.
Or call Student Relations directly: Joti Buchenroth, 937-889-2511
midwestcorporateair.com

Quick Links

Flight Training Training Calendars Maintenance Services Bellefontaine FBO

Company

About Us Meet Steve Buchenroth Student Success Stories

Contact

3100 State Route 47 W
Bellefontaine Ohio 43311
Training: 937-889-2511
Maintenance:  937-266-6215
FBO: 937-729-3217
Accounts Receivable: ‭937-729-2031
training@midwestcorporateair.com maintenance@midwestcorporateair.com fbo@midwestcorporateair.com accounting@midwestcorporateair.com finance@midwestcorporateair.com

Midwest Corporate Air | Zero To Hero
Midwest Corporate Air | Zero To Hero

Pricing

Instrument Rating – Concierge

$26,325 in MCA's SR20 G7, or $17,954 in your own Cirrus.

Airplane 22.3 hrs — $10,035 (MCA) / $2,230 (own aircraft)

Simulator 30.0 hrs — $7,500

CFII instruction 80.0 hrs — $6,000

Cirrus Instrument video course — $950

Concierge fee — $500
Examiner fee for the initial practical test is included.
Overage: Cirrus $100/hr; ALSIM $250/hr; CFII instruction $75/hr; Overage Deposit $2,000."

Pricing

Certified Flight Instructor - CFI

Pricing
$7,800 - Diamond DA20
(incl. $159.14 tax)
$8,300 - Diamond DA40
(incl. $193.50 tax)
$10,800 - SR20 G7
(incl. $324.44 tax)

Available only with prior Cirrus
experience and Chief Pilot approval.

Pricing

Certified Flight Instructor - CFII

$6,300 - SR20 G7 (incl. $326.25 tax)

Security Deposit:
1,000

Checkride Fee:
$1,200 Checkride fee

Overage:
SR20 G7 $450/hr
ALSIM $225/hr

$65/hr for instructor

Overage Deposit $2,000
Booking deposit $1,000, applied to the price. One free reschedule.
**Training Account Balance must be paid IN FULL before you start training**

The $1,200 Flight Examiner's fee is separate and is due upon the commencement of your checkride and must be paid in cash to the examiner

Pricing

Time Building

DA20 $210/hr + tax

DA40 $260/hr + tax

DA42 $450/hr + tax

SR20 G7 $450/hr + tax

Instruction $65/hr (not taxed).
No checkride

Pricing

Endorsement Add-ons: High Performance

$1,041 - SR20 G7 (incl. $48.94 tax). No checkride fee.

Overage: SR20 G7 $450/hr; Instruction $65/hr. Paid at scheduling.

Pricing

Endorsement Add-ons: Complex

$1,041 - SR20 G7, tax included ($48.94 tax). No checkride fee.

Overage: SR20 G7 $450/hr; Instruction $65/hr. Paid at scheduling.

Requirements

Multi-Engine Private or Commercial
(Added Rating)

Course Requirements:
  • Must hold a Private Cerfitcate
  • A valid Medical or Basic Med
  • Be US Citizen with a Passport or Birth Certificate with a government issued ID
  • TSA Approval is required for foreign pilots
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Pricing

Instrument Rating – Concierge

Diamond DA20 - $192 hr
Diamond DA40 - $225 hr
+ $65 hr - instruction (flight and ground)

$600 (estimated) - books and supplies (includes King Schools Video Course)
**Training Account Balance must be paid after each flight**

$1,200 - checkride (paid in cash only directly to examiner)

Pricing

Flight 1 Tec G6 Sim - SR20, SR22, SR22t

Diamond DA20 - $192 hr
Diamond DA40 - $225 hr
+ $65 hr - instruction (flight and ground)

$600 (estimated) - books and supplies (includes King Schools Video Course)
**Training Account Balance must be paid after each flight**

$1,200 - checkride (paid in cash only directly to examiner)

Pricing

SR22 6x

$3,626 (incl. $130.50 tax) — training block, not a fixed price.

Breakdown: simulator 8.0 hrs @ $225/hr = $1,800.00; ground/classroom 12.0 hrs @ $65/hr = $780.00; accelerated program fee $915.50; sales tax $130.50.

Overage: PFC 6-DOF simulator $225/hr; Instruction $65/hr; Overage Deposit $1,000.
Payment: Training block $3,626 paid in full before training starts and credited to account; invoiced against actual time. Credit not used stays on account.

Diamond DA20 - $210 hr
Diamond DA40 - $260 hr
+ $65 hr - instruction (flight and ground)

$600 (estimated) - books and supplies (includes King Schools Video Course)
**Training Account Balance must be paid after each flight**

$1,200 - checkride (paid in cash only directly to examiner)

Requirements

ALSIM ALSR G7 - SR20, SR22, SR22t

Course Requirements:
  • Minimum 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
  • Minimum 40 hours of simulated/actual instrument time
  • Minimum 15 hours of flight instruction from a CFII
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

Flight 1 Tec G6 Sim - SR20, SR22, SR22t

Course Requirements:
  • Minimum 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
  • Minimum 40 hours of simulated/actual instrument time
  • Minimum 15 hours of flight instruction from a CFII
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

SR22 6x

Course Requirements:
  • Minimum 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
  • Minimum 40 hours of simulated/actual instrument time
  • Minimum 15 hours of flight instruction from a CFII
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

SR20 G7x

Course Requirements:
  • Minimum 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
  • Minimum 40 hours of simulated/actual instrument time
  • Minimum 15 hours of flight instruction from a CFII
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

SR20 G7

Course Requirements:
  • Minimum 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
  • Minimum 40 hours of simulated/actual instrument time
  • Minimum 15 hours of flight instruction from a CFII
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

SR20 G6

Course Requirements:
  • Minimum 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
  • Minimum 40 hours of simulated/actual instrument time
  • Minimum 15 hours of flight instruction from a CFII
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

Instrument

Course Requirements:
  • Minimum 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
  • Minimum 40 hours of simulated/actual instrument time
  • Minimum 15 hours of flight instruction from a CFII
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

Private

Course Requirements:
  • Must be at least 17 years old
  • Minimum of 40 hours of flight time
  • Minimum of 20 hours of dual instruction
  • Minimum of 10 hours of solo flight
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Pricing

Private

DA20 $210/hr + tax

Decathlon $400/hr + tax

AATD $150/hr + tax; Instruction $65/hr (not taxed)
**Training Account Balance must be paid after each flight**

$1,200 - checkride (paid in cash only directly to examiner)

Requirements

Commercial

Course Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Minimum of 250 hours of flight time (50 hours of this may come from an AATD simulator) (100 hrs in powered aircraft, 50 hrs in airplanes, 100 hrs as pilot in command - which 50 hrs must be cross-country flight time)
  • Commercial pilots must hold an instrument rating, or be restricted to flying for hire only in daylight, under visual flight rules (VFR), within 50 miles of the originating airport
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Pricing

Commercial

DA20 $210/hr + tax

DA40 $260/hr + tax

AATD $150/hr + tax

ALSIM $225/hr + tax

Instruction $65/hr (not taxed)
"Time building to 250 hours priced separately"

Checkride $1,200 paid cash to examiner

Pricing

ATP-Multi Engine

$8,000 - Diamond DA42 (incl. $358.88 tax)

Security Deposit
$1,000

Checkride: $2,000

Overage:
$450/hr for aircraft (DA42)
$65/hr for instructor
Simulator $225/hr

Overage Deposit $2,000
Booking deposit $1,000, applied to the price. One free reschedule.
**Training Account Balance must be paid IN FULL before you start training**

The $2,000 Flight Examiner's fee (separate and must be paid in cash to the examiner)

Requirements

ATP - Multi Engine

Pre-course Requirements:
  • Must hold a Commercial Certificate
  • A Valid Medical or Basic Med
  • Be a US Citizen with a Passport or Birth Certificate with a government issued ID
  • TSA Approval is required for foreign pilots
  • Must be at least 23 (21 with restricted ATP) years old
  • Minimum of 1,500 hrs of flight time, must include 500 hrs of cross-country flight time, 100 hrs of night flying, and 75 hrs in actual or simulated instrument flight conditions
  • Must have a commercial certificate and an instrument rating
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Requirements

Multi Engine Instructor - MEI

Pre-course Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must hold a commercial AMEL certificate, an instrument rating, and a CFI Certificate
  • Must hold a current Class III medical or basic med
  • Must have 8.4hrs of multiengine PIC prior to starting the program and a total of 15hrs multiengine PIC prior to taking the MEI checkride.
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Pricing

Certified Flight Instructor - CFII

$6,300 - SR20 G7 (incl. $326.25 tax)

Security Deposit:
1,000

Checkride Fee:
$1,200 Checkride fee

Overage:
SR20 G7 $450/hr
ALSIM $225/hr

$65/hr for instructor

Overage Deposit $2,000
Booking deposit $1,000, applied to the price. One free reschedule.
**Training Account Balance must be paid IN FULL before you start training**

The $1,200 Flight Examiner's fee is separate and is due upon the commencement of your checkride and must be paid in cash to the examiner

Requirements

Certified Flight Instructor - CFII

Pre-course Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must hold a commercial certificate, an instrument rating, and a CFI Certificate
  • Must hold a current Class III medical or basic med
  • Be a US Citizen with a Passport or Birth Certificate with a government issued ID
  • TSA Approval is required for foreign pilots
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Pricing

Certified Flight Instructor - CFI

Pricing
$7,800 - Diamond DA20 (incl. $159.14 tax)
$8,300 - Diamond DA40 (incl. $193.50 tax)


Security Deposit
$1,000

Checkride fee: $1,500

Balance due at the start of training

Overage:
DA20 $210/hr; DA40 $260/hr
AATD $150/hr

$65/hr for instructor

Overage Deposit $1,000
Booking deposit $1,000, applied to the price.

One free reschedule.
**Training Account Balance must be paid IN FULL before you start training**

The $1,500 Flight Examiner's fee is separate and is due upon the commencement of your checkride and must be paid in cash to the examiner

Requirements

Certified Flight Instructor - CFI

Pre-course Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must hold a commercial certificate and an instrument rating
  • Must hold a current Class III medical or basic med
  • Be a US Citizen with a Passport or Birth Certificate with a government issued ID
  • TSA Approval is required for foreign pilots
*Note*
You must have your ORIGINAL pilot certificate, medical certificate, with passport or birth certificate and government id

Pricing

Instrument

DA20 $210/hr + tax; DA40 $260/hr + tax; SR20 G7 $450/hr + tax

ALSIM $225/hr + tax; Instruction $65/hr (not taxed)

Cirrus Video Course $950 (change from $1,100)
"Training Account Balance must be paid IN FULL before you may receive your checkride"
Checkride $1,200 paid cash to examiner

Pricing

MEI Accelerated

$6,400 - Diamond DA42 (incl. $254.48 tax)

Checkride fee : $1200
Security Deposit
$1,000

Remaining balance due at the start of the training

Overage:
$450/hr for aircraft (DA42)
$65/hr for instructor

Overage Deposit $2,000
Booking deposit $1,000, applied to the price. One free reschedule
Training Account Balance must be paid IN FULL before you may receive your check-ride

The $1200 Flight Examiner's fee is separate and is due upon the commencement of your check ride and must be paid in cash to the examiner

Multi-Engine Private or Commercial Added Rating

$6,400 - Diamond DA42 (incl. $254.48 tax)

Checkride fee: $1,200

Overage:
DA42 $450/hr; Instruction $65/hr

Overage Deposit $2,000
Booking deposit $1,000, applied to the price. One free reschedule.
Training Account Balance must be paid IN FULL before you may receive your
check-ride

The $1,200 Flight Examiner's fee (separate and must be paid in cash to the examiner)

Application Submission