
Ready To Turn Your Hobby Into A Career?
Your Commercial Pilot Certificate Will Allow You To Get Your First Flying Job.
A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is a certification that permits individuals to operate aircraft for compensation or hire. With a CPL, pilots can work as paid pilots for charter companies, flight schools, or other aviation organizations.
Prerequisite: FAA Private Pilot Certificate
Commercial Pilot Certificate Requirements
- One 2-hour XC flight in single-engine airplane in daytime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100nm from original point of departure
- One 2-hour XC flight in single-engine airplane in nighttime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100nm from original point of departure
- One XC flight of not less than 300 nm total distance with landings at a minimum of three points
- Including 10 Takeoffs and 10 Landings, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport with an operating control tower
*Three (3) hours of flight training must be conducted within the 2 calendar months preceding the test.
Part 61 flight training provides a more flexible, less structured approach to obtaining your pilot certificates.
One main advantage of choosing a Part 61 program is that it caters to those with busy lifestyles or prior aviation knowledge who may not require the strict structure of Part 141 programs.
Students can progress at their own pace, balancing other life responsibilities with their flight hours.
Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold at least a private pilot certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
- Receive appropriate endorsements from a qualified instructor
- Pass the FAA Instrument Knowledge Test (Written exam)
- Pass the FAA Practical Exam (Oral & Checkride)
- Meet aeronautical knowledge requirements of 14 CFR §61.125.
- Demonstrate flight proficiency requirements of 14 CFR §61.127.
- Meet the Aeronautical experience per 14 CFR §61.129.
Part 141 flight training is designed for those who aspire to become professional pilots, offering a more formal and highly regulated learning environment. Under the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), Part 141 schools must adhere to an FAA-approved syllabus and strictly defined training structure.
The key components of Part 141 training include classroom instruction, stage checks conducted by authorized flight instructors, and comprehensive ground training. These training programs significantly reduce the requirements for the Commercial Pilots License.
Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold at least a private pilot certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
- Receive appropriate endorsements from a qualified instructor
- Pass the FAA Instrument Knowledge Test (Written exam)
- Pass an FAA Practical Exam (Oral & Checkride)
- Complete requirements of VFA’s FAA-Approved 141 Training Course Outline (TCO)
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to be at least 18 years old in order to take the Commercial Pilot practical exam.
It may take 10-12 months to earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate, however there are many variables that affect how quickly one earns their Commercial Pilot Certificate. For example, bad weather on a day you are scheduled to fly. Generally, if a student studies the material and flies frequently, he or she will complete training in the shortest amount of time.
If you already have the minimum required flight experience, the amount of time needed to prepare for the Commercial Pilot Practical Test will largely depend on how long it takes to become proficient in the required maneuvers.
Your Commercial Pilot training will involve a certain amount of dual instruction (with an instructor). You will also need some ground instruction. You can lessen the hours you spend going over ground training with your instructor, if you study the material at home.
With a Commercial Pilot Certificate, you can get paid to do certain types of flying. Some examples are: flying skydivers, scenic and photo flights, banner towing, or crop dusting. The Commercial Pilot Certificate is also a requirement to become a Certificated Flight Instructor.
You can keep your Commercial Pilot Certificate current in one of two ways. You can add another certificate or rating or, alternatively, you can take a biennial flight review (once every 24 calendar months) with an authorized flight instructor.