The Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL) is the license required to be paid for flying services, marking your transition from a recreational pilot to a professional aviator. Training focuses on advanced maneuvers, emergency procedures, and rigorous precision under 14 CFR Part 61.129.

FAA Requirements for CPL (Airplane Single-Engine Land)

To ensure the highest level of professionalism and competency, the FAA mandates extensive flight experience and knowledge.

Minimum Aeronautical Experience

A CPL applicant must log a minimum of 250 hours of total flight time as a pilot. This time must include specific types of experience:

Special Dual Instruction Requirements (Included in the 20 Hours):

10 Hours of instrument training (must include specific maneuvers).
10 Hours of training in a Technically Advanced (TAA) or complex airplane (retractable gear, controllable pitch propeller).
One 2-hour cross-country flight in daytime conditions of more than 100 straight-line nautical miles from the departure point.
One 2-hour cross-country flight in nighttime conditions of more than 100 straight-line nautical miles from the departure point.
3-hours of practical test preparation within the preceding 2 calendar months of the test.

Specific Solo/PIC Flight Requirements:

10 Hours of solo flight time or performing the duties of PIC with an instructor on board, which must include:
- One cross-country flight of at least 300 nautical miles total distance, with landing at a minimum of three points, one leg of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original departure point.
- 5 hours of night VFR flight, including 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop at a towered airport.

Part 61 vs. Part 141: We train under Part 61 rules, which require 250 hours total time. Training at an FAA-approved Part 141 school can reduce the total time requirements.

Our Training Aircraft & Pricing Structure

Our CPL training involves our standard Cessna 172s that meet the FAA requirements for Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA).

Simulator Credit Toward Your CPL

For the Commercial Pilot Certificate (Part 61), the FAA allows you to substitute a significant amount of your total flight time with an FAA-approved Flight Training Device (FTD) or Full Flight Simulator (FFS).

A maximum of 50 hours of approved time in an FTD of FFS may be credited toward the 250 hours of total time required.
The simulator time must be logged with an authorized instructor.

Estimated Cost for Dual Instruction (Beyond Time Building)

This estimate focuses on the required training hours needed to meet the Commercial Pilot requirements, assuming you are arriving with your Private and Instrument Ratings and need only the remaining time and specific CPL dual training.

Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL): Your Professional Foundation