Commercial Pilot Certificate

Eligibility

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, subject to FAA exceptions.
• Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
• Receive required ground and flight training and instructor endorsements.
• Pass the FAA commercial pilot aeronautical knowledge test and practical test.
• Hold the appropriate medical qualification when required. A third-class medical may suffice for a checkride when acting as PIC; exercising commercial pilot privileges generally requires at least a second-class medical, subject to applicable rules and exceptions.

An instrument rating is not universally required to obtain the commercial certificate. Without an airplane instrument rating, limitations apply to carrying passengers for hire on cross-country flights over 50 NM or at night.

Aeronautical Experience — 250 Hours Total

• 250 hours total flight time as a pilot, including applicable categories of experience.
• 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which at least 50 hours must be in airplanes.
• 100 hours pilot-in-command time, including at least 50 hours in airplanes and 50 hours cross-country PIC, at least 10 of which must be in airplanes.
• 20 hours of specified training with an authorized instructor, including instrument and complex/TAA training as outlined below.
• 10 hours solo flight time in a single-engine airplane or performing the duties of PIC with an authorized instructor, meeting the specified cross-country and night requirements.

Required Instructor Training

• 10 hours of instrument training using a view-limiting device, including attitude instrument flying, partial panel, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, and navigation systems.
• 10 hours in a complex airplane, turbine-powered airplane, or technically advanced airplane (TAA), or a combination permitted by regulation.
• One 2-hour daytime cross-country flight and one 2-hour nighttime cross-country flight, each covering more than 100 NM straight-line distance from the departure point.
• 3 hours of checkride preparation in a single-engine airplane within the preceding 2 calendar months.

Required Solo / Performing PIC Duties

• One cross-country flight of at least 300 NM total distance, with landings at three points, including one at least 250 NM straight-line distance from the original departure point.
• 5 hours of night VFR, including 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at an airport with an operating control tower, each involving a flight in the traffic pattern.

These are components of the 10-hour solo or performing-PIC-duties requirement; they are not necessarily additional hours on top of it.