REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE
In order to qualify for a Commercial Pilot License and fly for hire, you must:
Be a Private Pilot
Be at least 18 years old
Pass a second class medical exam
Have 250 hours of flight experience
Have 10 hours of multi-engine or complex aircraft time
Meet minimum Pilot In Command (PIC) time requirements
Meet the minimum cross country flight time requirements
Pass an FAA knowledge exam
Pass the FAA practical (oral and flight) exam
THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Instruction is based on a time tested, curriculum-based program which will allow you to learn quickly and effectively. Ground and flight school are interwoven with simulators, books, and videos into a seamless training program that maximizes learning. All training is delivered in a one-on-one setting. Your experienced ADF Flight Instructor will guide you through each stage with patience and a smile. Classes can be arranged to fit your busy schedule. We are available to train 7 days a week, 363 days a year (Christmas and New Years day are the only days we are closed)
A 3 STAGE APPROACH TO A SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIAL TRAINING PROGRAM
STAGE 1 – GAINING FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
During this stage, you will go and gain the required aeronautical experience requirements by flying on your own. Usually, you will be making cross country flights to gain the required time. ADF Airways will guide you as to how much time you will need to fly in order to meet the requirements. ADF will also custom tailor the remainder of your training so you meet the FAA requirement of 250 hours total time. When we build the program, we factor in 50 hours of simulator training. Since simulators cost less than the actual airplane, you save on your flight training expenses.
The goal here is to reach 220 hours of total flight time before moving onto stage 2. In getting to the 220 hours of time, we calculate time spent on private and instrument training. Another important goal in this phase is passing the commercial pilot written examination.
STAGE 2 – SINGLE ENGINE MANEUVERS
Training for commercial maneuvers begins once you accumulate 220 and pass the commercial written exam. You will have 10 hours of training in advanced aircraft maneuvers, as well as an additional 10 hours of solo flight time to practice the maneuvers you learn. You will also receive ground training in areas such as Crew Resource Management, Aeronautical Decision Making, Weather, Air Carrier/Operator Federal regulations, aircraft and passenger considerations, and pilot-in-command professionalism.
STAGE 3 – MULTI-ENGINE TIME
Multi-engine aircraft allow commercial operations to travel farther, faster and higher while carrying the largest loads possible per flight. ADF will prepare you to proficiently command these aircraft by training in our Piper Seminole. The Seminole is considered to be one of the better multi-engine trainers because of its relative stability and weight structure.
After completing stage 3, you will be recommended for the FAA Practical (Oral and Flight) examination. Upon completion of the examination, you will be issued a Commercial Pilot, Single Engine and Multi Engine Land Certificate and you are now free to pursue a career as a pilot.
All training is geared toward meeting or exceeding the FAA Practical Test Standard (PTS). To see the actual Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standard and what is required, click on the link below.
wher DO I GO FROM HERE?
once you have your Commercial Pilot’s License, you have the education and training you need to fly for hire. Keep in mind that in addition to a Commercial Pilot License, many owner/operators also require a certain amount of flight experience – especially if you are going for your Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
One of the best ways to build flight experience is to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). Flight Instructors gain valuable experience as they teach others about flying. Instructors are allowed to log all flight training given as flight experience. This adds to the total flight time and makes the pilot more marketable at a regional, cargo, or charter company. In addition, many in the aviation world know this time trusted axiom:
The best way to learn something is to teach it.
This makes the Instructor path a very desirable next step in attaining time and experience. Finally, instructors are paid to teach new students how to fly airplanes.
Commercial Pilot Privileges
Commercial Pilots can fly for hire, which means they can receive compensation for services they render as pilots under many conditions. While there are some limitations to the license, once at the commercial level, pilots begin to see returns on their investment. They usually go on to become flight instructors, banner towers, crop dusters, or they may go work for an airline, corporate or Charter Company.
Most aspiring pilots get a commercial single and multi-engine rating, though there are some that chose to just get a single engine rating, while others chose to just get a multi engine rating. ADF strongly recommends the commercial single and multi engine rating, as it gives the commercial pilot more options when it comes to getting employment. This license is the best of both worlds since you can start flying singles and move onto twins once you have the required experience.
Regardless of your chosen path, ADF Airways will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to obtain this license and join the world of the professional aviator.
