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Ready to get paid to do what you love? Becoming a commercial pilot is very rewarding and allows you to be compensated for flying people or cargo, banner tow, fly skydivers, crop dust, and many more opportunities in South Florida. You might even want to try your luck at an airline in the Caribbean or in the Bahamas.
Flying can be expensive, but going through me, you will save a lot more money and time than going through a flight school. I’m talking thousands, yes, thousands. Read this page to see the benefits of starting your flight training, whether it is hobby or career based, through a private CFI.
SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE STARTING
Medical Exam: If you are in Palm Beach County, I recommend getting your medical exam done through Dr. Gerald Weingarden, (561) 626-5635, 8033 Cranes Point Way, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412. Make sure you are medically fit before you start flying, so if you know you want to fly, I recommend getting your medical certificate after your first or second flight lesson. The cost for a medical exam is about $60 and you need a minimum of a 3rd class
Foreign Nationals: This course is considered part of the Alien Flight Student Program and therefore anyone who does not have US Citizenship must complete a TSA clearance. For more information on this program, please visit AOPA’s Guide to TSA’s Alien Flight Student Program. When ready, you should sign up using this website and selec me, Iovine J – Independent CFI, as the provider. The cost is about $150 and you’ll be required to be fingerprinted. This includes Green Card holders.
US Citizens: You must have your original birth certificate or US Passport (valid) and a government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, prior to beginning flight training (excluding the discovery flight). This endorsement is free of charge and can be given as soon as I verify the documents are valid and they belong to you.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Advanced knowledge of aerodynamics, airspace, flight planning, aeromedical factors, weight and balance, performance, meteorology, night operations, and safe and efficient operation
Regulations regarding commercial privileges such as common vs private carriage
Commercial PTS maneuvers
Emergency scenarios and situations
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE
Act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire (within certain limitations)
If you do not have an instrument rating, you are limited for commercial operations up to 50nm and during day hours
Eligible for flight instructor and ATP certificates
Apply for jobs such as banner towing, crop dusting, pipeline patrol, fire department operations, skydiving flights, and sightseeing
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Per part 61.123, be at least 18 years of age
Be able to read, write, understand, and speak English
Receive and log ground instruction required in part 61.125 (home study courses are discouraged for a primary base of studying this complex material, but can be very useful for reference and review)
Receive an endorsement fro an authorized instructor to take the practical exam
Take and pass the written exam (CAX)
Hold at least a US private pilot certificate
AERonAUTICAL EXPERIENCE
Single Engine Land – Initial
Per the Practical Test Standards, a complex aircraft (retractable landing gear, flaps, and constant speed propeller) must be used for the checkride for the initial single engine land. I currently do not have one for rental at this time, so you will be required to have access to an aircraft to pursue a single engine land – commercial initial with me
250 total hours logged (50 hours can be credited from a flight simulator)
100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 which must be in airplanes
100 hours of pilot in command time, which includes 50 hours in airplanes, 50 hours cross country flight of which 10 must be in airplanes
20 hours of flight instruction for the commercial requirements in 61.127, which include 10 hours of simulated or actual instrument, 10 hours of single engine complex aircraft or turbine aircraft time, one 2 hour cross country more than 100 nm straight line from departure point during the daytime, one 2 hour cross country more than 100nm straight line from departure point during nighttime, and 3 hours of checkride prep within 2 calender months of the test
10 hours of solo time or 10 hours of dual time (either one) which include one cross country flight not less than 300nm total distance with landings at a minimum of three points, one which is a straight line distance of at least 250nm from the departure point, and 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and landings at an airport with a control tower
Multi Engine Land – Initial
250 total hours logged (50 hours can be credited from a flight simulator)
100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 which must be in airplanes
100 hours of pilot in command time, which includes 50 hours in airplanes, 50 hours cross country flight of which 10 must be in airplanes
20 hours of flight instruction for the commercial requirements in 61.127, which include 10 hours of simulated or actual instrument (5 of which must be in a multiengine), 10 hours of multiengine complex aircraft or turbine aircraft time, one 2 hour cross country more than 100 nm straight line from departure point during the daytime, one 2 hour cross country more than 100nm straight line from departure point during nighttime, and 3 hours of checkride prep within 2 calender months of the test
10 hours of solo time in a multiengine or 10 hours of dual time (either one) which include one cross country flight not less than 300nm total distance with landings at a minimum of three points, one which is a straight line distance of at least 250nm from the departure point, and 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and landings at an airport with a control tower
Single or Multi Engine Land – Add on
Must currently hold a Commercial Pilot’s Cerificate
Must receive an endorsement from an instructor within 2 calender months of the checkride