Commercial Pilot Certificate

Ready To Turn Your Hobby Into A Career?

Your Commercial Pilot Certificate is the key to your first professional flying job.

A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is a certification that permits individuals to operate aircraft for compensation or hire. With a CPL, some pilots start out with jobs such as flying skydivers, towing banners, doing aerial photography, or working as a personal pilot to an aircraft owner. From there, some continue on to earn their flight instructor certificate or pursue other professional flying opportunities.

Prerequisite: FAA Private Pilot Certificate
Aircraft Rental Cost*
$ 0 /h

*Commercial training can be completed in the Cessna 152, 172R, and 172S. Prices vary based on aircraft, view aircraft rental rates for more information.

Instructor Cost
$ 0 /h
Estimated Timeframe
0 mo.

Commercial Pilot Certificate Requirements

PART 61

Total Flight Time as a Pilot
250 Hours
Flight Time in Powered Aircraft
100 Hours
Commercial Flight Instruction*
20 Hours
Instrument Flight Training
10 Hours
Training in a Complex or Technically Advanced Airplane
10 Hours
  • One 2-hour XC flight in single-engine airplane in daytime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100nm from original point of departure
  • One 2-hour XC flight in single-engine airplane in nighttime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100nm from original point of departure
Solo Flight or Time Performing Duties of PIC with a CFI Onboard
10 Hours
  • One XC flight of not less than 300 nm total distance with landings at a minimum of three points
Night VFR Flight Time
5 Hours
  • Including 10 Takeoffs and 10 Landings, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport with an operating control tower

*Three (3) hours of flight training must be conducted within the 2 calendar months preceding the test.

Part 61 flight training provides a more flexible, less structured approach to obtaining your pilot certificates.

While Part 141 training provides the most structured and efficient path for aspiring professional pilots, Part 61 flight training offers a flexible alternative for students with complex schedules or prior aviation experience. This approach allows students to progress at their own pace while still meeting FAA certification standards.

Students can progress at their own pace, balancing other life responsibilities with their flight hours.

Requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Hold at least a private pilot certificate
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
  • Receive appropriate endorsements from a qualified instructor
  • Pass the FAA Instrument Knowledge Test (Written exam)
  • Pass the FAA Practical Exam (Oral & Checkride)
  • Meet aeronautical knowledge requirements of 14 CFR §61.125.
  • Demonstrate flight proficiency requirements of 14 CFR §61.127.
  • Meet the Aeronautical experience per 14 CFR §61.129.

PART 141

Total Flight Time as a Pilot
120 Hours: Must be completed within the Commercial 141 course prior to the checkride.
Commercial Flight Training
55 Hours
Instrument and Complex/TAA Training
10 Hours

Part 141 flight training is designed for those who aspire to become professional pilots, offering a more formal and highly regulated learning environment. Under the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), Part 141 schools must adhere to an FAA-approved syllabus and strictly defined training structure.

The key components of Part 141 training include classroom instruction, stage checks conducted by authorized flight instructors, and comprehensive ground training. These training programs significantly reduce the requirements for the Commercial Pilots License.

Requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Hold at least a private pilot certificate
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
  • Receive appropriate endorsements from a qualified instructor
  • Pass the FAA Instrument Knowledge Test (Written exam)
  • Pass an FAA Practical Exam (Oral & Checkride)
  • Complete requirements of VFA’s FAA-Approved 141 Training Course Outline (TCO)

In-House Examining Authority:
Pinnacle Aviation Academy now holds FAA examining authority for the Commercial Pilot Certificate under Part 141, allowing qualified students to complete their checkride in-house with our designated examiners. This streamlines the certification process and helps students move efficiently into their professional pilot careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

You need to be at least 18 years old in order to take the Commercial Pilot practical exam.

It may take 10-12 months to earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate, however there are many variables that affect how quickly one earns their Commercial Pilot Certificate. For example, bad weather on a day you are scheduled to fly. Generally, if a student studies the material and flies frequently, he or she will complete training in the shortest amount of time.

If you already have the minimum required flight experience, the amount of time needed to prepare for the Commercial Pilot Practical Test will largely depend on how long it takes to become proficient in the required maneuvers. 

Your Commercial Pilot training will involve a certain amount of dual instruction (with an instructor). You will also need some ground instruction. You can lessen the hours you spend going over ground training with your instructor, if you study the material at home.

With a Commercial Pilot Certificate, you can get paid to do certain types of flying. Some examples are: flying skydivers, scenic and photo flights, banner towing, or crop dusting. The Commercial Pilot Certificate is also a requirement to become a Certificated Flight Instructor.

You can keep your Commercial Pilot Certificate current in one of two ways. You can add another certificate or rating or, alternatively, you can take a biennial flight review (once every 24 calendar months) with an authorized flight instructor.