The Commercial Rating

     The commercial pilot certificate is identical to your private pilot certificate except that it allows you to fly an airplane and carry passengers and/or cargo for compensation or hire.  The certificate will be identical to your private pilot certificate except it will indicate "Comercial Pilot.

     If you obtain your commercial pilot certificate before you obtain your multiengine rating, your multiengine rating practical test will be based on the commercial practical test standards, giving you a commercial pilot multiengine rating rather than a private pilot multiengine rating.

FAA requirements to obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate

1. Be at least 18 years of age (when you finish your training and take your FAA Practical Test.)

2. Be able to read, speak, write, and converse fluently in English.

3. Take a flight physical and obtain a Third Class Medical Certificate.

4. Hold an instrument rating.  A commercial pilot is presumed to have an instrument rating.  If

    not, his/her commercial pilot certificate will be endorsed with a prohibition against carrying

    passengers for hire on day VFR flights beyond 50 NM or at night.

5. Receive and log ground and flight training in the appropriate areas.

6. Pass the 100 question pilot knowledge test with a score of 70% or better.

7. Flight experience.  A total of 250 hrs pilot flight time. which must include the following:

  a. 100 hrs in powered aircraft, of which 50 hr must be in airplanes

   b. 100 hrs as pilot in command time, which includes at least

      1.  50 hrs in airplanes

      2.  50 hrs in cross-country flight, of which 10 hrs must be in airplanes

   c. 20 hrs of flight training that includes at least

      1.  10 hrs of instrument training of which at least 5 hrs must be in an airplane

      2.  10 hrs of training in a plane with flaps, retractable gear and constant speed propeller.

      3.  One cross-country flight of at least 2 hr. in an airplane in day VFR conditions,

           consisting of at least 100 NM distance.

      4.  One cross-country flight of at least 2 hr. in an airplane in day VFR conditions,

           consisting of at least 100 NM distance.

      5.  3 hr in an airplane in preparation for the practical test within 60 days of the test.

   d. 10 hrs of solo flight in an airplane, which includes at least

      1.  One cross-country flight of not less than 300 NM total distance, with landings at a

           minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 NM from

           the original departure point.

      2.  5 hr. in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing

           involving a flight in the traffic pattern.) at an airport with an operating control tower.

8. Successfully complete a FAA Practical Flight Test.