Become a Commercial Pilot

What is a Commercial Pilot License (CPL)?

A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) allows you to get paid to fly. Whether you want to fly for an airline, charter company, cargo operation, or other professional aviation career, a CPL is the next step beyond private and instrument training.

With a commercial certificate, you can:
✅ Be compensated for flying
✅ Work as a flight instructor, banner tow pilot, cargo pilot, and more
✅ Build flight experience toward an airline career

Requirements to Become a Commercial Pilot (FAR 61.123 & 61.129)

To earn your Commercial Pilot License, you must meet the following FAA requirements:

1. Basic Eligibility Requirements (FAR 61.123)

✅ Be at least 18 years old
✅ Hold at least a Private Pilot License (PPL)
✅ Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
✅ Hold at least a second-class medical certificate
✅ Receive ground and flight training from an authorized instructor
✅ Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Exam
✅ Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Practical Test (checkride)

2. Flight Experience Requirements (FAR 61.129)

The FAA requires a minimum of 250 total flight hours to earn a Commercial Pilot License. These hours must include:

A. Total Flight Hours (Minimum: 250 Hours)

🛩️ 100 hours as pilot-in-command (PIC)
🛩️ 50 hours of cross-country flying
🛩️ 20 hours of dual flight training with an instructor, including:

  • 10 hours of instrument training

  • 10 hours of complex aircraft or TAA (technically advanced aircraft) training

  • One 300-nautical-mile cross-country flight, including landings at three different airports

  • 5 hours of night flight, with 10 takeoffs and landings

B. Solo Flight Time (Minimum: 10 Hours)

🛩️ One cross-country solo flight of at least 250 nautical miles, with landings at three different airports
🛩️ 5 hours of solo or PIC night flying, including 10 takeoffs and landings

3. Ground School and Exams

Before taking your checkride, you must complete ground training, covering:
📖 Aerodynamics and aircraft systems
📖 Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) for commercial pilots
📖 Weather interpretation and flight planning
📖 Navigation, charts, and airspace
📖 Crew resource management and emergency procedures

After completing ground school, you must pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Exam, a multiple-choice test on these subjects.

4. The Checkride (FAA Practical Test)

The final step is the Commercial Pilot Checkride, which includes:

✈️ Oral Exam – The examiner will ask questions about regulations, aerodynamics, weather, and flight planning.
✈️ Flight Test – You will demonstrate:

  • Takeoffs and landings (normal, short-field, and soft-field)

  • Steep turns, stalls, and emergency procedures

  • Advanced maneuvers like Chandelles, Lazy Eights, and Eights-on-Pylons

  • Cross-country navigation and precision flying

Why Get a Commercial Pilot License?

✅ Start Getting Paid to Fly – Open the door to professional aviation jobs
✅ Gain Advanced Flying Skills – Become a more precise and confident pilot
✅ Work Toward an Airline Career – A CPL is required before earning an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License
✅ More Opportunities to Build Flight Hours – Get paid while gaining experience

Additional Requirements for International Students

If you are an international student, you must meet additional requirements before beginning training:

1. TSA Flight Training Security Program (FTSP)

Before starting training, you must:
✈️ Apply for flight training approval through the TSA’s FTSP website
✈️ Select your flight school and submit fingerprints
✈️ Pay the TSA application fee and wait for approval

2. M-1 or F-1 Student Visa

If you are traveling to the U.S. for training, you may need:
📌 An M-1 visa for vocational flight training
📌 An F-1 visa if your flight school offers programs that allow for work opportunities after training

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL)?

Earning your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) allows you to get paid to fly and is a major step toward a career in aviation. The cost of training varies based on your current flight experience, so we create a custom training plan based on what you need to meet FAA requirements.

What Affects the Cost of Your Commercial Training?

The total cost of your CPL training depends on:

  • Your total flight hours (FAA requires 250 total flight hours for a commercial certificate)

  • Your previous training (Do you already have time in complex or high-performance aircraft?)

  • How much additional flight and ground instruction you need

Customized Training Plans

Since every pilot comes in with a different background, we don’t offer a fixed price for the commercial training course. Instead, we will:

  1. Review your logbook and total flight time

  2. Discuss your training goals and requirements

  3. Create a personalized training plan to get you to 250 hours

Get a Quote for Your Training

To find out how much your Commercial Pilot License will cost, contact us with your flight experience, and we’ll build a plan that fits your needs and budget.

📞 (951) 336-6666
📧 info@cloudaviationusa.com