Commercial Pilot Certificate

Ready to turn your passion for flying into a career? The Commercial Pilot Certificate is designed to help you achieve the skills and qualifications needed to fly for hire. Whether you're aiming to become an airline pilot, a flight instructor, or explore other commercial aviation opportunities, this certificate is the start of your professional aviation career. With personalized instruction and real-world experience, you'll learn everything from advanced maneuvers to complex decision-making, preparing you for a successful career in aviation. Let’s take your flying to the professional level!

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What can you do with a Commercial Pilot's Certificate?

Career Opportunities

A commercial certificate allows you to be compensated for your flying skills. This opens doors to various aviation careers, such as airline pilot, charter pilot, flight instructor, cargo pilot, or aerial surveyor.

Advanced Skills

Commercial training refines your flying abilities, focusing on advanced maneuvers, precision flying, and complex operations, making you a more skilled and confident pilot.

Pathway to ATP

The commercial certificate is a stepping stone toward obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, required for flying large aircrafts and working for the airlines.

Requirements

There are two different paths that the FAA lays out to obtaining a commercial pilot's license; Part 61 and Part 141. Part 61 offers more flexibility, allowing students to progress at their own pace with a flight instructor, making it ideal for those with varying schedules or learning preferences. Part 141, on the other hand, follows a more structured, formal curriculum often through flight schools or universities. While both programs meet FAA requirements, the choice depends on the student's learning style and goals.

That's why I prefer training 'Part 61 and a half' (not an FAA term) - Meaning, we will adhere to Part 61 requirements which allow me and my students to work quickly, but I also provide some structure in a training syllabus (see below) so there are no surprises on what we're going to do or where you are at in your progress.

To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must:

• Be at least 17 years of age

• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language

• Pass the required knowledge test (Written)

• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements

• Pass the practical test ('Checkride' - Oral & Flight)

• Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate (We'll take care of this before you get started)

• Hold a valid FAA Medical Certificate

(Per FAR § 61.103 Eligibility requirements: General.)

Don't get overwhelmed with this list, but this gives you an idea of all the things you'll be studying. Much of this will be done on your own with an online ground school (See Student Resources) and we'll go over it in person to make sure you're comfortable with the information.

A person who is applying for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on these aeronautical knowledge areas:

• Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) related to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations; • Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board; • Use of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” (AIM) and FAA advisory circulars; • Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems; • Radio communication procedures; • Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts; • Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence; • Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance; • Weight and balance computations; • Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems; • Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings; • Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and • Obtaining information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and • Planning for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

(Per FAR § 61.105 Aeronautical Knowledge.)

When we're in the air flying, aside from having a ton of fun, we'll work at mastering the following areas that you will eventually be tested on in order to get your license. You'll also get some insight on these areas in your ground school.

A person who applies for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on these areas of operation (single-engine):

• Preflight preparation • Preflight procedures • Airport operations • Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds • Performance maneuvers • Ground reference maneuvers • Navigation • Slow flight and stalls • Basic instrument maneuvers • Emergency operations • Night operations • Postflight procedures

(Per FAR § 61.107 Flight Proficiency.)

Here are the hours you need in order to get your Private Pilot's Certificate.

A person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of total flight time.

The 40 hours are made up of two types of flying: Flight Training and Solo Flight.

Flight Training

The flight training portion must be at least 20 hours and must include: • 3 hours of cross-country flight training • 3 hours of night flight training that includes: - One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and - 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop at an airport. • 3 hours of flight training on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments • 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test (within the preceding 2 calendar months)

Solo Flight

The solo flight time portion must be at least 10 hours and must include: • 5 hours of solo cross-country time; • One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and • Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.

(Per FAR § 61.109 Aeronautical Experience.)

Commercial Pilot Syllabus

Like I said before, my 'Part 61 and a half' training is about having some structure to keep both me and you on the same page to meet your goals. 'Stage Checks' are a term you normally hear at Part 141 programs, but I think they are very useful in the Part 61 environment as we get closer to getting you your Commercial Pilot's license.

Lesson 1: Straight & Level

Lesson 2: Climbs and Descents

Lesson 3: Shallow and Steep Turns

Lesson 4: Slow Flight and Power Off Stalls

Lesson 5: Ground Reference Maneuvers

Lesson 6: Traffic Pattern & Landings Part 1

Lesson 7: Emergency Procedures

Lesson 8: Slow Flight and Power On Stalls

Lesson 9: Landings Part 2

Lesson 10: Maneuver Review

All lessons will include the topics listed above and:

• Pre-flight Operations

• Radio Calls

• Approaching a Non-Towered Airport

• Taxiing & Surface Operations

• Aeronautical Decision Making & Situational Awareness

• Post-flight Operations

*Each lesson will be around 1.5 hrs.

Pre-Solo Knowledge Test

Before we can do the solo flight, you'll have to complete a short written test on the things we've talked about during the pre-solo stage. You can't fail this test and we will go over any missed questions after. This is to make sure you feel confident in your knowledge to fly the airplane and with everything else going on in the air.

The Solo Flight

Congrats! You've made it to a huge milestone in your aviation journey. It's time for you to fly an airplane all by yourself!

You'll fly several laps around the pattern as a solo pilot while I'm on the ground with a portable radio in hand in case you need any help.

Just make sure you wear a shirt you don't mind getting cut up!

Now that you've flow an airplane by yourself, it's time to expand our range to planning trips and landing at other airports. Not only will we cover the topics in the lessons below, but we will work in Scenario Based Training to our cross countries as you start to get an idea of what these flights might entail in the real world.

Lesson 1: Pilotage and Dead Reckoning

Lesson 2: Navigational Aids

Lesson 3: Flying by Instruments

Lesson 4: Night Flying

Lesson 5: Night Takeoffs & Landings

*These lessons will be anywhere from 1.5 - 3.0 hrs.

During this phase of training, I'll be using a checklist to evaluate the student and determine the next lessons. All tasks should meet the standards noted in the ACS to be considered “checkride ready.”

You've learned everything you need to be a private pilot, now we're polishing it up for your practical test so you can go in proficient and confident.

Lesson 1: Maneuvers Check

Lesson 2: Mock Checkride 1

Lesson 3: Deficiencies Practice

Lesson 4: Mock Checkride 2

*Each of these lessons will be about 1.5 - 2.0 hrs.

Commercial Pilot Certificate

What can you do with a Commercial Pilot's Certificate?

Career Opportunities

Advanced Skills

Pathway to ATP

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

Aeronautical Knowledge

Flight Proficiency

Aeronautical Experience

Commercial Pilot Syllabus

Pre-Training

Stage 1: Pre-Solo Flight

The Solo

Stage 2: Cross Country

Stage 3: Solo Cross Country

Checkride Preparation

Take the Leap and Get in the Air!