Requirements to Obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate

Be at least 18 years of age. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English. Hold a current FAA medical certificate. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course, such as studying Commercial Pilot FAA Knowledge Test (and the related Gleim FAA Test Prep CD-Rom), and Pilot Handbook. Subjects include: FARs NTSB Part 830 Aerodynamics Aviation weather Operation of aircraft Weight and balance Performance charts Effects of exceeding limitations VFR charts Navigation facilities Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) Aircraft systems Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations in the airplane Night and high-altitude operations National airspace system Pass the FAA commercial pilot knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.129). You must log at least 250 hr. of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least: 100 hr. in powered aircraft, of which 50 hr. must be in airplanes 100 hr. as pilot in command flight time, which includes at least: 50 hr. in airplanes 50 hr. in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hr. must be in airplanes 20 hr. of training in the areas of operation listed in item 8. below, including at least: 10 hr. of instrument training of which at least 5 hr. must be in a single-engine airplane 10 hr. of training in an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine-powered One cross-country flight of at least 2 hr. in a single-engine airplane in day-VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 NM from the original point of departure One cross-country flight of at least 2 hr. in a single-engine airplane in night-VFR conditions, consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 100 NM from the original point of departure 3 hr. in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the test 10 hr. of solo flight in a single-engine airplane training in the areas of operation required for a single-engine rating, which includes at least: One cross-country flight of not less than 300 NM total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 NM from the original departure point In Hawaii, the longest segment need have only a straight-line distance of at least 150 NM. 5 hr. in night-VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower Use our Commercial Pilot Flight Maneuvers and Practical Test Prep book for your first commercial flight lesson to your practical test. We outline and illustrate each flight maneuver you will perform during your flight training and explain the common errors associated with each maneuver. Hold an instrument rating or your commercial certificate will be endorsed with a prohibition against carrying passengers for hire on flights beyond 50 NM or at night. Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.127). You must receive and log training, and obtain a logbook sign-off (endorsement) from your CFI on the following areas of operation: Preflight preparation Preflight procedures Airport and seaplane base operations Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds Performance maneuvers Ground reference maneuvers Navigation Slow flight and stalls Emergency operations High-altitude operations Postflight procedures Successfully complete a practical test, which will be conducted as specified in Gleim's Commercial Pilot Flight Maneuvers and Practical Test Prep.