Click image to view original
The commercial pilot certificate is wher you will demonstrate to the FAA that you have a safe, professional command of your aircraft and are prepared for in flight emergencies.
The commercial certificate will allow you to fly (in limited scenarios) passengers and/or cargo for hire. This is the first step toward becoming a professional pilot. Commercial pilot training will build on skills you already have from your primary flight training and instrument training.
You will demonstrate a greater precision in flying, flight planning and understanding federal regulations, as well as a greater knowledge of weather and aircraft systems.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
Hold a current FAA medical certificate.
Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course, such as studying the Commercial Pilot FAA Knowledge Test (and the related Gleim FAA Test Prep software), the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the Airplane Flying Handbook. Subjects include:
FARs
NTSB Part 830
Aerodynamics
Aviation weather
Operation of aircraft
Weight and balance
Performance charts
Effects of exceeding limitations
VFR charts
Navigation facilities
Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
Aircraft systems
Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations in the airplane
Night and high-altitude operations
National airspace system
Pass the FAA commercial pilot knowledge test with a score of 70% or better.
Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.129). You must log at least 250 hrs of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
100 hrs in powered aircraft, of which 50 hrs must be in airplanes
100 hrs as pilot in command flight time, which includes at least:
50 hrs in airplanes
50 hrs in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hrs must be in airplanes
20 hrs of training in the areas of operation listed in item 8. below, including at least:
10 hrs of instrument training of which at least 5 hrs must be in a single-engine airplane
10 hrs of training in an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine-powered
One cross-country flight of at least 2 hrs in a single-engine airplane in day-VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 NM from the original point of departure
One cross-country flight of at least 2 hrs in a single-engine airplane in night-VFR conditions, consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 100 NM from the original point of departure
3 hrs in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the test
10 hrs of solo flight in a single-engine airplane training in the areas of operation required for a single-engine rating, which includes at least:
One cross-country flight of not less than 300 NM total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 NM from the original departure point
5 hrs in night-VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower
Hold an instrument rating or your commercial certificate will be endorsed with a prohibition against carrying passengers for hire on flights beyond 50 NM or at night.
Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.127). You must receive and log training, and obtain a logbook sign-off (endorsement) from your CFI on the following areas of operation:
Preflight preparation
Preflight procedures
Airport and seaplane base operations
Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
Performance maneuvers
Ground reference maneuvers
Navigation
Slow flight and stalls
Emergency operations
High-altitude operations
Post flight procedures