Commercial Pilot Certificate
Turn your passion into a profession. Build the advanced skills, flight hours, and knowledge required to earn your Commercial Pilot Certificate and qualify for paid flying opportunities.
ABOUT THIS CERTIFICATE
The Commercial Pilot Certificate is what separates recreational pilots from professionals. This certificate legally qualifies you to be compensated for flying — a critical milestone on the path to the airlines.
Over 6 weeks of intensive training, you'll master commercial maneuvers including chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals, and precision power-off 180° landings. You'll also develop the aeronautical decision-making and professionalism standards expected of a commercial pilot.
Our program is designed to build efficiently on the hours you've already logged during your PPL and Instrument Rating training. You'll train in our Piper Archers at Falcon Field, refining your skills to the polished standards required for the commercial checkride.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Complex & high-performance endorsements
- Chandelles, lazy eights & steep spirals
- Precision landings (power-off 180°)
- Night commercial operations
- Emergency procedure proficiency
- Professional pilot standards & ADM
ESTIMATED HOURS
PREREQUISITES & FAA REQUIREMENTS
PREREQUISITES
- Private Pilot Certificate
- Instrument Rating
- FAA Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate
- Must be at least 18 years old
FAA REQUIREMENTS
- 250 hours total flight time
- 100 hours as Pilot in Command
- 50 hours of cross-country flight as PIC
- 20 hours of flight training for the commercial
- 10 hours of complex or turbine-powered aircraft training
- 10 hours of instrument training
- FAA Commercial Knowledge Test (written exam)
- Practical Test (checkride) with DPE
TRAINING INCLUDES
INVESTMENT
Prices are estimates and may vary based on individual progress.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No. You can begin the commercial training course before reaching 250 total hours. However, you must have 250 hours logged by the time you take the commercial checkride. Our program is designed to build your hours efficiently throughout training, and if you fall short, we offer options like our Time Building — Crew Flight course and Simulator Rental to help you reach the 250-hour requirement.
A Commercial Pilot Certificate allows you to be paid to fly. Career options include flight instruction (with CFI), aerial photography, banner towing, crop dusting, charter flying, and eventually airline transport — once you meet ATP hour requirements.
The FAA officially issues pilot "certificates," not "licenses." While people sometimes use the terms interchangeably in casual conversation, the correct terminology is Commercial Pilot Certificate.
START YOUR CPL TRAINING
Take the next step in your aviation career. Contact us to discuss your training goals, schedule a tour of our facilities at Falcon Field, and learn how we can help you earn your commercial pilot certificate.