Commercial Pilot Certificate
Ready to turn your hobby into a career? Your Commercial Pilot Certificate will allow you to get your first flying job.
Commercial Pilot Certificate Requirements
PRIVATE
CERTIFICATE
18
YEARS OF AGE
250
TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS
100
PILOT IN COMMAND HOURS
50
PIC CROSS COUNTRY HOURS
$79
CFI HOURLY RATE
$125-188
AIRCRAFT HOURLY RATE
$8,000-29,000
PROGRAM ESTIMATE
10-12 MONTHS
PROGRAM TIME FRAME
Note: Checkride, Testing, and Pilot Equipment costs are not included in this estimate. Training time and costs for a Commercial Certificate varies widely based on the hours you have from previous training and renting.
What Will I Learn?
Ground Knowledge:
Advanced Aerodynamics
Aviation Meteorology
Aircraft Performance
Accepting Compensation for Flying
Flight Experience:
Night & High Altitude Operations
Extended Cross Country Flight
Advanced Performance Maneuvers
Instrument Flying
TRAINING BREAKDOWN
Ground Training
The ground training will be completed through a combination of one-on-one sessions with your instructor and through a home study course. You will learn about advanced aerodynamics and aircraft performance, aviation meteorology and accepting compensation for flying.
Maneuvers Training
Several advanced flight maneuvers must be mastered and demonstrated by the pilot before being able to complete the Commercial Pilot Certificate. Your instructor will work with you to perfect your airmanship before solo practice.
Instructor Endorsement
Your instructor will give you multiple endorsements throughout your training, allowing you to take your FAA Knowledge Exam, Solo Flights and Checkride with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
Solo Flight Training
After perfecting the Commercial Pilot Certificate maneuvers with your instructor, it’s important to practice them while solo, ensuring you can demonstrate the maneuvers without having an instructor in the aircraft.
Flight Time Building
To be eligible for the Commercial Pilot Certificate several flight experiences and time requirements must be met. The largest requirement that must be met is accumulating 250 total flight hours, which means building meaningful flight experience, is the largest part of becoming a Commercial Pilot. You will experience several cross-country flights as you accumulate your flight hours.
FAA Knowledge Exam
The FAA Knowledge Exam is a multiple-choice test with 100 questions that covers the fundamental knowledge required to become a Commercial Pilot. Once you and your instructor have determined you’re ready for the test, it can be completed at VFA’s onsite FAA Certified Testing Center. Applicants must study for and pass the examination.
Oral & Practical Exam
After meeting all of the FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate requirements and your instructor has determined you have mastered the maneuvers, and demonstrated the applicable aeronautical knowledge, you will take the Oral Exam and Practical Test with a Designated Pilot Examiner. The Oral Exam focuses on aeronautical decision making, scenario based training, and general knowledge. The Practical Test will evaluate your ability to safely operate the aircraft, and complete several maneuvers and simulated emergency procedures. Upon successful completion, you will be issued your Commercial Pilot Certificate.
THE VFA DIFFERENCE
ADVANCED FLEET
With the largest and most advanced rental fleet in the state, VFA has the right aircraft for you. All of our aircraft are maintained to the highest standards by our in-house maintenance department.
PASSIONATE STAFF
VFA has a diverse group of passionate and knowledgeable instructors here to help you achieve your goals. No matter your learning style, we have the right instructor for you.
AVIATION COMMUNITY
When you join us at VFA, you join a passionate community dedicated to furthering aviation education in Vermont. Every lesson you take at VFA helps to contribute to providing flights to underprivileged children in Vermont.
FAQ
How old do I have to be to get my Commercial Pilot Certificate?
How long will it take to earn my Commercial Pilot Certificate?
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.
What will my Commercial Pilot training involve?
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.
What can I do once I have my Commercial Pilot Certificate?
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.
Once I get my Commercial Pilot Certificate , what do I have to do to keep it current?
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.
General Information
HOURS:
Monday - Friday | 8AM - 5PM
Saturday | 8AM - 4PM
Sunday | 8AM - 4PM
* Hours are subject change.
PHONE:
802.863.5988
EMAIL :
office@flyvfa.org
LOCATION:
355 Valley Road
South Burlington, VT 05403