What is a Commercial Pilot?
This is the first step to earning money as a pilot! A commercial pilot license, or certificate, is a type of pilot license that allows someone to operate an aircraft for compensation.
Privileges
A licensed commercial pilot may act as the pilot-in-command of an aircraft for compensation or hire, and carry persons or property for compensation or hire. Holding a commercial pilot license means you are legally allowed to get paid as a pilot!
What Does a Commercial Pilot do?
Commercial pilots are hired and paid to fly as a pilot. They often transport cargo and/or passengers, as well as perform other operations such as aerial surveying and search and rescue.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for an FAA commercial pilot license, a person must be at least 18 years of age; and be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Reference 14 CFR §61.123 for the entire list of eligibility requirements.
Requirements
To earn a commercial pilot license, a pilot must:
Aeronautical Experience
According to federal regulations, you must meet the following aeronautical flight experience requirements to earn a commercial pilot license.
Commercial Pilot Flight Time Requirements
Total Flight Time - 250 Hours
Pilot-In-Command (PIC) - 100 Hours
Cross-Country PIC - 50 Hours
Instrument Training - 10 Hours
Technically Advanced Airplane (TAA) - 10 Hours
Reference 14 CFR §61.129 for more details on flight time requirements.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Commercial Pilot?
On average, it takes 2 weeks to 1 month for a student to complete the requirements for a commercial license.
Medical Requirements
In order to obtain a commercial pilot license, you must hold either a second- or first-class medical certificate, which can be obtained through an aeromedical examiner (AME).
Health Requirements for Commercial Pilots
Commercial pilots are subject to certain health standards, such as vision, hearing, equilibrium, mental, neurologic, and cardiovascular requirements. For a complete list of the health requirements reference CFR 14 §67 Subpart C.
This is the first step to earning money as a pilot! A commercial pilot license, or certificate, is a type of pilot license that allows someone to operate an aircraft for compensation.
Privileges
A licensed commercial pilot may act as the pilot-in-command of an aircraft for compensation or hire, and carry persons or property for compensation or hire. Holding a commercial pilot license means you are legally allowed to get paid as a pilot!
What Does a Commercial Pilot do?
Commercial pilots are hired and paid to fly as a pilot. They often transport cargo and/or passengers, as well as perform other operations such as aerial surveying and search and rescue.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for an FAA commercial pilot license, a person must be at least 18 years of age; and be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Reference 14 CFR §61.123 for the entire list of eligibility requirements.
Requirements
To earn a commercial pilot license, a pilot must:
- Hold a private pilot certificate.
- Receive the following logbook endorsements from an instructor:
- Logbook endorsement to take the aeronautical knowledge test
- Logbook endorsement to take the practical test
- Pass the following tests:
- Commercial pilot knowledge test (often referred to as a "written")
- Commercial pilot practical test (or a "checkride")
Aeronautical Experience
According to federal regulations, you must meet the following aeronautical flight experience requirements to earn a commercial pilot license.
Commercial Pilot Flight Time Requirements
Total Flight Time - 250 Hours
Pilot-In-Command (PIC) - 100 Hours
Cross-Country PIC - 50 Hours
Instrument Training - 10 Hours
Technically Advanced Airplane (TAA) - 10 Hours
Reference 14 CFR §61.129 for more details on flight time requirements.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Commercial Pilot?
On average, it takes 2 weeks to 1 month for a student to complete the requirements for a commercial license.
Medical Requirements
In order to obtain a commercial pilot license, you must hold either a second- or first-class medical certificate, which can be obtained through an aeromedical examiner (AME).
Health Requirements for Commercial Pilots
Commercial pilots are subject to certain health standards, such as vision, hearing, equilibrium, mental, neurologic, and cardiovascular requirements. For a complete list of the health requirements reference CFR 14 §67 Subpart C.