Commercial Pilot
No kidding, people will pay you to fly airplanes!
Commercial in a Nutshell
Every commercial pilot remembers their first dollar. It’s a surreal experience to transition from paying to fly to being paid to fly. A commercial certificate opens up wide-ranging opportunities in aviation, from operating scenic tours, conducting aerial surveys, working for an air carrier, or further training pursuing a flight instructor certificate.
The keyword in commercial flying is mastery. Most of the knowledge and maneuvers in commercial flying are learned while training to become a Private Pilot. The focus now is on refining these skills to a level appropriate for a commercial pilot. This means mastering your airplane through all phases of flight and high command of the knowledge required of a commercial pilot.
Our Training Philosophy
As a soon-to-be pilot for hire, it’s estimable to make the pursuit of mastery a bedrock of your career. A perk of many flying jobs is the general lack of day-to-day oversight from superiors. Systemic safety is your responsibility. Our course gets you started by laying out the foundations of what it means to be a commercial pilot including the often-confusing discussion of the specific privileges and limitations of a commercial certificate. Along the way, we’ll polish-up for the written test and the oral exam. Most importantly, you’ll have a stable foundation as you embark on your journey as a commercial pilot. Additionally, while the vast majority of commercial applicants will take their practical test in a single-engine piston airplane, we include necessary real-world information about subjects like high-altitude aerodynamics, pressurization systems, and turbine powerplants. Depending on market forces, new commercial pilots may need knowledge of such subjects far sooner than they expect!
Included in the Course:
Lecture videos that won’t make your brain explode.
As in previous courses, lecture videos introduce key concepts, which are later expanded on with supplemental content.
Full access to our resources library.
Commercial resources include an end of course study guide, and §119 summary, as well as all resources from other courses!
Course Instructor
James Jacobson
James is a flight instructor and aerobatics and tailwheel aficionado. He holds a B.S. in Commercial Aviation from the University of North Dakota, and has worked in a variety of commercial pilot jobs, including ferrying high-performance aerobatic Extra 300s, instructing in aerobatics and upset recovery, and flying in the airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What written test will this course prepare me for?
This course prepares students for the FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CPA) written test.
How long does the course take to complete?
The exact timeframe will vary by student, but plan for 80 hours of time between watching lectures, making flashcards, and studying the content.
Who is eligible for commercial training?
Most fundamentally, commercial applicants must already be licensed Private pilots and meet a list of experiential requirements, including 250 hours of total flight time (unless waived to lower limits in an approved program).
Do I need to complete the course in a set timeframe?
Nope! However, if you think it may take you a while, you may consider purchasing the course up front, instead of choosing a subscription option. It will likely be cheaper for you in the long-run.