how to become a commercial pilot

commercial Pilot license Requirements

age requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.

English proficiency

Read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

pilot certificate

Hold at least a Private Pilot certificate.

Aeronautical Knowledge

Complete ground training or home study, get a logbook endorsement, and pass the FAA written exam.

Flight training

Receive instruction in required areas and logbook endorsement for practical test readiness.

pass the checkride

Pass a practical test for the aircraft rating sought.

aeronautical experience

hours total time

0

hours pilot in command

0

hours of cross-country

0

hours with an instructor

0

hours of solo flight

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Total flight time

You must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot, including:

  • 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes

  • 100 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) flight time, including:

    • 50 hours in airplanes

    • 50 hours in cross-country flight, of which at least 10 hours are in airplanes

Required Flight Training (20 hours minimum)

Training must cover all areas of operation listed in FAA §61.127(b)(1) and include:

  • Instrument Training (10 hours):

    • Using a view-limiting device

    • Attitude instrument flying, partial panel skills, recovery from unusual attitudes

    • Intercepting and tracking navigational systems

    • 5 hours must be in a single-engine airplane

  • Complex or Technically Advanced Airplane Training (10 hours):

    • Training in a complex, turbine-powered, or technically advanced airplane appropriate for the rating sought

  • Cross-Country Training:

    • One 2-hour daytime flight >100 nautical miles

    • One 2-hour nighttime flight >100 nautical miles

  • Practical Test Preparation:

    • 3 hours with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane within 2 months of your checkride

Solo or Pilot-in-Command Flight

10 hours of solo flight or PIC flight with an instructor on board, including:

  • One cross-country flight ≥300 nautical miles with landings at 3 airports 

  • 5 hours of night VFR flight with 10 takeoffs and 10 full-stop landings at a towered airport

Recommended knowledge test prep

For the Commercial Pilot written (CAX), I recommend Sheppard Air for one reason: it works. It’s not flashy, but it’s highly effective at preparing you for the FAA written exam. Sheppard Air also provides the required endorsement to take your written exam, so there’s no extra step or guesswork.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more

Costs vary depending on aircraft rental, instructor time, and type of training aircraft, but most students budget around $30,000–$40,000 from private to commercial completion. A personalized estimate can be provided during your initial meeting.

With a commercial certificate, you can work as a charter pilot, flight instructor, banner tow pilot, or corporate pilot. It’s also the essential step toward an airline career once you meet additional flight hour requirements.

Training timelines vary based on your schedule and consistency, but most students complete the certificate in 6–12 months after earning their Private Pilot Certificate.

Ready to Take the Next Step Toward a Professional Pilot Career?

Interested in becoming an airline pilot? Obtaining your Commercial Pilot Certificate is the essential first step. With the right training, experience, and guidance, you’ll gain the skills and confidence needed to launch a career in professional aviation.

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