Here are just a
few of the basic requirements for the Commercial License. We'll discuss what's
entailed in each of these requirements later in this section.
You must be able
to read, speak, write, and understand the English Language
You must be able to obtain
a 2nd class medical certificate
You must be 18 years of age
You must hold at least a private pilot license
You must have recieved and logged
the appropriate ground and
flight training for the Commercial License
You must have 250 hours total flight
time
You must have 100 hours flight time as pilot in
command
You must have 50 hours of cross country flight
time as pilot in command
You must pass the FAA Commercial Pilot written exam
You must pass the Commercial Pilot Oral and Practical Exam
Training
Training for the commercial license is
not all that different than from your private license. Then difference is in the
tolerances that you are going to be held to. In addition you will learn some new
maneuvers along the way and be required to demonstrate them to proficiency on
the check ride. The main goal before beginning your training for the commercial
license is to build your time towards the 250 total time requirement. Included
in that time is 100 hours as pilot in command, and 50 hours of
cross-country.Since most folks
have about 60hrs after they complete their private license you have some time to
build. Even if you choose to obtain an instrument rating to help knock out some
of that time you still have a ways to go to reach 250 hours total time.One idea is to do a lot of cross-country
flying. You can go see places you've always wanted to see, and best of all
you're the pilot. Doesn't get any cooler than that!
When it comes time for actual training
in preparation for the check ride its time to learn some new maneuvers. The new
maneuvers required for the commercial check ride are chandelles, lazy 8's, and
8's on pylon's. You'll learn more about these in your training but these are the
maneuvers that are required in addition to basic stalls, steep turns and etc.
that you demonstrated for your private license.
As far as flight training goes for the commercial license there isn't a whole lot that you haven't seen in your
previous training in terms of maneuvers and such. However you are required to
complete your check ride in a complex aircraft. Well that sounds complex, so
what's so complicated about it? What the FAA considers as 'complex'is an
aircraft with retractable gear (goes up and down just like an airliner),
adjustable flaps (just about every modern training aircraft has them), and a
controllable pitch propeller (that means you can change the angle of the blades
to control the amount of thrust produced). Complex aircraft are as their name
suggests more complicated. However by the time you have the required 250 hours,
the learning curve isn't that steep, and after a few lessons most people learn
to handle the extra knobs and switches of the these 'complex' systems with
ease.
One of the most important parts of you
commercial training likes any other license or rating is the required
aeronautical knowledge. Once you are a commercial pilot there is a whole new
world of flying and regulations you have to know. Specifically the limitations
of your commercial license and what you can and cannot do while getting paid to
fly and what requires addition training or authorization.
After your instructor is confident you
know your stuff and can nail those chandelles then it's a jingle on the phone to
your local FAA office to sign you up for the check
ride.
Testing
The FAA
Written
The written test for
the Commercial License like all other licenses
and ratings is an 80 question computerized test. The questions cover a
variety of subjects including, commercial operations, complex aircraft systems, performance calculations and
aerodynamics.
The FAA Oral
Exam
The oral exam will consist of
various questions
related to commercial operations and limitations, weather, cross country planning, and much more. The examiner will most
likely have you plan a cross-country and then discuss your flight planning and give
you some scenarios to evaluate your thought process as well as level
of knowledge. Once the examiner is satisfied then it's on to the flight
portion.
The FAA Practical
Exam
The practical exam or flight portion of the
check ride will be a demonstration of your ability to fly to the standards of a
commercial pilot. The standards are tighter but by the time you reach the
required flight time the demands being placed upon you are not excessive. During
the flight you will have to demonstrate all the typical flight maneuvers
(stalls, steep turns, slow flight), in addition to chandelles, lazy 8's, and 8's
on pylon's as required for the commercial license. As far as emergency
procedures go, you can expect a simulated engine failure, in addition to
emergency operations of some of the aircrafts systems such as the landing gear.
You will also need to demonstrate your proficiency in specialty landings such as
short field landings, soft field landings and no flap landings. Once the
examiner is satisfied you are issued some fresh ink on a new slip of paper that
is your commercial pilot license. You can now get paid to fly instead of having
to pay for it all your self.
Costs
The cost of obtaining your commercial license can be
steep. Figure your hourly aircraft rental cost and multiply by 250.Throw in some instructor costs to obtain
your private license and instrument rating plus any instruction in preparation
for commercial license and it adds up quickly. By the time it's all said and
done it can be 15 to 20 thousand dollars and up for your training. Most people
choose to take out a loan for their flight training or it's lumped together with
the rest of their schooling if its being conducted through a university
flight-training program. Doing it on your own through a small FBO or flight
school has advantages such as going at your own pace. Larger university flight
programs can get you done quickly and efficiently but they can be more
expensive. Each has its pros and cons. Do some research because its a lot of
money to spend in one place but once you've decided what's right for you, your
on your way to becoming a professional pilot. Hopefully this website provides
you with some useful insights and aides you in choosing the right path to your
aviation career.
