Requirements
To be eligible for a commercial pilot certificate, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.
- Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
- Pass the knowledge test.
- Pass the practical test.
- Pass the written test.
- To exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate, you must hold at least a current Second Class Medical Certificate.
Flight Time Requirements for an Airplane Single Engine Rating
If you are applying for a Commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating, you must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
- 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
- 100 hours of pilot in command flight time, which includes at least 50 hours in airplanes and 50 hours in cross-country flight in airplanes.
- 20 hours of training on the areas of operation as listed for this rating, which includes at least 10 hours of instrument training, of which at least 5 hours must be in a single-engine airplane, 10 hours of training in an airplane that has retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine-powered, one cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure, one cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure.
- 10 hours of solo flight in a single-engine airplane, including one cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance and as specified, and 5 hours 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.
Obtaining your Commercial license opens the door to fly for pay.
If you already have a Private Pilot’s License and are interested in earning your Commercial license, please fill out our student registration form.