Commercial Pilot Program

A commercial pilot is a licensed aviator who is authorized to be compensated for their flying services. They can be employed as pilots for various purposes, including airline, cargo, or charter operations. Commercial pilots have more advanced training and experience compared to private or sport pilots.

To become a commercial pilot, you typically need to follow these steps: a. Obtain a private pilot license. b. Build flight experience, often requiring a minimum of 250 flight hours. c. Complete additional training to meet the commercial pilot certification requirements. d. Pass a written knowledge test and a practical flight test. e. Obtain a Class II medical certificate. f. Apply for and receive your commercial pilot certificate.

The time it takes to become a commercial pilot can vary widely, but it often takes several years. The duration depends on factors like your availability for training, the flight school you choose, and the specific pathway you follow.

Commercial pilot salaries can vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of aircraft flown, the employer, experience, and location. On average, commercial pilots in the United States earn a median annual salary in the range of $60,000 to $80,000 or more.

To qualify for a commercial pilot certificate in the United States, you typically need a minimum of 250 total flight hours, including a specified number of hours in various categories of flight (e.g., solo, cross-country, night, etc.).

A Part 61 flight training program requires that students obtain a Private Pilot certificate, Instrument rating, and meet the requirements to take a Commercial (usually Single Engine Land) exam – which requires a minimum of 250 hours. Part 61 flight training offers more flexibility, as students can attend part-time as their schedule allows. There is no specific training program, and this unstructured approach allows a highly personalized training program to directly meet the specific student’s needs. At the end of the course, students who are looking to obtain their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license will, once they have obtained their SEL COMM certificate, will generally obtain a Multi-Engine Land (MEL) add-on.

A Part 141 course can only be offered by FAA approved schools, and also requires that students obtain a Private Pilot certificate, Instrument rating, and meet the requirements to take a Commercial (usually Single Engine Land) exam – which requires a minimum of 190 hours. The courses typically are compressed and are ‘linear’ in their completion requirements – i.e. lesson 3 has to be fully completed prior to starting lesson 4. A Part 141 course is highly structured, and can be the preferred choice for students who want to obtain their SEL COMM certificate in the shortest possible timeframe.

In order to qualify for a Part 141 SEL COMM, you are required to take the part 141 Instrument rating and SEL COMM courses. Students can take a Part 61 Private Pilot and then switch to a Part 141 Instrument course. Students who take a Part 61 Instrument rating are NOT eligible for a Part 141 COMM certificate.

The biggest differentiator between the Part 61 and 141 COMM rating is the reduction in the number of hours – Part 61 requires 250 hours, while Part 141 COMM only needs 190 hours; This directly translates to less time and money.

No – both licenses provide students with an FAA COMM license.