{"id":1004053,"date":"2023-07-18T19:06:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T19:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/?p=1004053"},"modified":"2023-07-18T19:06:21","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T19:06:21","slug":"what-is-a-commercial-pilot-license","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/what-is-a-commercial-pilot-license\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Commercial Pilot License?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><i>Getting Your Commercial Pilot&#8217;s License<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-80575\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.fly8ma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ifr-instrument-rating-test-prep-300x139.jpeg\" alt=\"ifr instrument rating training\" width=\"483\" height=\"224\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>What is a Commercial Pilot?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A commercial pilot is a pilot who has completed the necessary requirements and training to fly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and be paid for their flying.\u00a0 You could be paid to fly cargo, passengers, skydivers, etc.\u00a0 Any flying <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">job<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires you to hold a commercial pilot license.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What is a Commercial Pilot License?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A commercial pilot&#8217;s license or CPL allows a pilot to fly passengers or cargo for compensation. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a Commercial Pilot License, you can now get paid to fly, but there are many regulations around this that you will learn about during your flight training. In order to obtain your commercial pilot license, you will need to pursue ground and flight training to dive deeper into aviation knowledge and further develop your flying skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Who can obtain a Commercial pilot&#8217;s license?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To earn your CPL you must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hold a private Pilot Certificate (you have to get this license <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you can become a commercial pilot).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be at least 18 years or older<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Attend ground school (can be online) and receive flight training from an instructor<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.fly8ma.com\/courses\/commercial-pilot-written-prep-bootcamp\/\">Pass Written Knowledge Test<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.fly8ma.com\/courses\/commercial-pilot-asel-checkride-prep-cram-course\/\">Pass A Commercial Pilot Checkride\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-82434\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.fly8ma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/8511058357_282a6829ef_o-300x211.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"513\" height=\"361\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Should you become a Commercial pilot?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on what your reasons for flying are. If you know you want to get paid for flying or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simply enhance your skills as a pilot,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> then yes.\u00a0 Pilots can and do make respectable earnings. However, experience and flight time tend to dictate that. In other words, don\u2019t expect to make big bucks right out of flight school. Commercial flight training will sharpen your skills and the maneuvers that you will learn are incredibly fun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How long does it take to get your Commercial Pilot&#8217;s license?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where you are at in your life and why you want to begin flight training will determine how long it will take to obtain your Commercial pilot certificate. If you are regularly attending flight school and have good structure, it is possible to earn all of your licenses and ratings quickly. There are pros and cons to choosing an accelerated track. It is best to find what pace works the best for your learning. Your instructor can be a valuable resource when making this decision. If you are flying for fun, it can take several years to build the appropriate amount of flight time. If you&#8217;d like an estimate based on your specific scenario, email cfi@fly8ma.com to ask an instructor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the requirements you must meet before you take your check ride.<\/span><\/p>\n<table dir=\"ltr\" style=\"height: 226px;\" border=\"1\" width=\"963\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<colgroup>\n<col width=\"234\" \/>\n<col width=\"183\" \/>\n<col width=\"368\" \/><\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;250 hours total&quot;}\"><strong>250 hours total<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;20 Dual&quot;}\"><strong>20 Dual<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;10 Solo ASEL or 10 w\/CFI performing PIC duties&quot;}\"><strong>10 Solo ASEL or 10 w\/CFI performing PIC duties<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;100hrs in powered AC&quot;}\">100hrs in powered AC<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;10 IFR Training (5 in ASEL)&quot;}\">10 IFR Training (5 in ASEL)<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;300nm XC (250nm straight line) 3 airports&quot;}\">300nm XC (250nm straight line) 3 airports<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;50 in airplanes&quot;}\">50 in airplanes<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;10 Complex \/ TAA&quot;}\">10 Complex or TAA<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;5 Night VFR w\/ 10 Takeoffs and Landings at a TWRd airport&quot;}\">5 night VFR w\/ 10 Takeoffs and Landings at a towered airport<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;100 PIC&quot;}\">100 PIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;2 XC Day 100nm&quot;}\">2 cross-country day 100nm<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;50 in airplanes&quot;}\">50 in airplanes<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;2 XC Night 100nm&quot;}\">2 cross-country night 100nm<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;50 XC (10 of the 50 in airplanes)&quot;}\">50 XC (10 of the 50 in airplanes)<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;3 Checkride prep&quot;}\">3 checkride prep<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>How can you get your Commercial Pilot&#8217;s license?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are different pathways to obtaining your commercial pilot&#8217;s license. Here are some of the typical steps you can expect when working towards your CPL<\/span><\/p>\n<table dir=\"ltr\" style=\"height: 186px;\" border=\"1\" width=\"415\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<colgroup>\n<col width=\"100\" \/>\n<col width=\"393\" \/><\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Step One&quot;}\">Step One<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Complete Ground school&quot;}\">Complete ground school<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Step Two&quot;}\">Step Two<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Obtain a private pilot's license&quot;}\">Obtain a Private Pilot&#8217;s License<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Step Three&quot;}\">Step Three<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Obtain an IFR Rating&quot;}\">Obtain an IFR Rating<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Step Four&quot;}\">Step Four<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Obtain any endorsements&quot;}\">Obtain any endorsements<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Step Five&quot;}\">Step Five<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Build time&quot;}\">Build time, Master Commercial Maneuvers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Step Six&quot;}\">Step Six<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Complete Commercial written exam&quot;}\">Complete Commercial written exam<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Step Seven&quot;}\">Step Seven<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Pass Commercial Check ride&quot;}\">Pass Commercial Checkride<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.fly8ma.com\/courses\/commercial-pilot-written-prep-bootcamp\/\"><b>Check out our CPL written bootcamp! Our students have 100% pass rate on their first try.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting Your Commercial Pilot&#8217;s License What is a Commercial Pilot? A commercial pilot is a pilot who has completed the necessary requirements and training to fly and be paid for their flying.\u00a0 You could be paid to fly cargo, passengers, skydivers, etc.\u00a0 Any flying job requires you to hold a commercial pilot license. What is a Commercial Pilot License? A commercial pilot&#8217;s license or CPL allows a pilot to fly passengers or cargo for compensation. With a Commercial Pilot License, you can now get paid to fly, but there are many regulations around this that you will learn about during your flight training. In order to obtain your commercial pilot license, you will need to pursue ground and flight training to dive deeper into aviation knowledge and further develop your flying skills.\u00a0 Who can obtain a Commercial pilot&#8217;s license? To earn your CPL you must: Hold a private Pilot Certificate (you have to get this license before you can become a commercial pilot). Be at least 18 years or older Attend ground school (can be online) and receive flight training from an instructor Pass Written Knowledge Test\u00a0 Pass A Commercial Pilot Checkride\u00a0 Should you become a Commercial pilot? It depends on what your reasons for flying are. If you know you want to get paid for flying or simply enhance your skills as a pilot, then yes.\u00a0 Pilots can and do make respectable earnings. However, experience and flight time tend to dictate that. In other words, don\u2019t expect to make big bucks right out of flight school. Commercial flight training will sharpen your skills and the maneuvers that you will learn are incredibly fun. How long does it take to get your Commercial Pilot&#8217;s license? Where you are at in your life and why you want to begin flight training will determine how long it will take to obtain your Commercial pilot certificate. If you are regularly attending flight school and have good structure, it is possible to earn all of your licenses and ratings quickly. There are pros and cons to choosing an accelerated track. It is best to find what pace works the best for your learning. Your instructor can be a valuable resource when making this decision. If you are flying for fun, it can take several years to build the appropriate amount of flight time. If you&#8217;d like an estimate based on your specific scenario, email cfi@fly8ma.com to ask an instructor. Here are the requirements you must meet before you take your check ride. 250 hours total 20 Dual 10 Solo ASEL or 10 w\/CFI performing PIC duties 100hrs in powered AC 10 IFR Training (5 in ASEL) 300nm XC (250nm straight line) 3 airports 50 in airplanes 10 Complex or TAA 5 night VFR w\/ 10 Takeoffs and Landings at a towered airport 100 PIC 2 cross-country day 100nm 50 in airplanes 2 cross-country night 100nm 50 XC (10 of the 50 in airplanes) 3 checkride prep How can you get your Commercial Pilot&#8217;s license? There are different pathways to obtaining your commercial pilot&#8217;s license. Here are some of the typical steps you can expect when working towards your CPL Step One Complete ground school Step Two Obtain a Private Pilot&#8217;s License Step Three Obtain an IFR Rating Step Four Obtain any endorsements Step Five Build time, Master Commercial Maneuvers Step Six Complete Commercial written exam Step Seven Pass Commercial Checkride &nbsp; Check out our CPL written bootcamp! Our students have 100% pass rate on their first try.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1004053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1004053"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004053\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1004054,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004053\/revisions\/1004054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1004053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1004053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1004053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}