Now forming. Booking opens once instructor certification is complete.
This is planned training. Nothing is bookable yet. Join the waitlist to hear when booking opens.
Who it's for
Pilots working toward a flying career. The commercial pilot certificate is what allows a pilot to be paid to fly, within the limits the FAA sets. You must already hold at least a private pilot certificate and be at least 18 to earn it.
Most pilots earn an instrument rating first. A commercial certificate without an instrument rating carries significant limits on carrying passengers for hire.
What it generally covers
- Commercial maneuvers such as steep turns, chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals, and eights on pylons
- Precision landings, including power-off accuracy approaches
- Advanced airplane systems and performance
- Commercial privileges, limitations, and regulations
- Risk management and decision-making at a professional standard
General FAA steps
- Hold a private pilot certificate and meet the age and English-language requirements.
- Train and meet the FAA's experience requirements in 14 CFR 61.129. Your instructor will track them with you.
- Complete the required training in a complex or technically advanced airplane. The FAA requires part of commercial training to be in a complex airplane (retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller), a technically advanced airplane (an electronic primary flight display, a moving-map display, and a two-axis autopilot), or a turbine-powered airplane.
- Pass the FAA knowledge test for the commercial pilot certificate.
- Pass the practical test (checkride) with an FAA examiner, flown to the Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards.
- Hold the right medical. To use commercial pilot privileges, you'll generally need at least a second-class medical certificate.
About the training airplane. Commercial training is planned in a Cessna 172 with advanced avionics. The part that must be in a complex or technically advanced airplane needs an airplane that meets the FAA definition. That will be confirmed for the specific airplane, or a suitable one will be arranged. The exact airplane will be shared when booking opens.
What to bring or ask
- Your pilot certificate(s), medical, photo ID, and logbook
- A summary of your flight time so far, so a training plan can be built around what you still need
- Ask which airplanes will be used for each part of training, including the complex or technically advanced airplane
- Ask how your training will fit with your instrument rating and career plans
General information only. FAA requirements are set out in 14 CFR Part 61 and the Airman Certification Standards, and they can change. Specific requirements will be confirmed with you directly before any training begins.
Interested? Join the waitlist.
Booking isn't open yet. Join the waitlist to hear first when it opens. Waitlist order also decides the Founding Five.