Commercial flying offers the chance to turn a passion for aviation into a rewarding career. For those aspiring to fly professionally, the journey begins with a solid foundation in aeronautical knowledge and essential flying skills, often starting with a Private Pilot Certificate (PPL).
From there, pilots progress to earn their Instrument Rating, followed by the Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL), Multi-Engine Rating, and finally, the Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP), which requires advanced training in aircraft operation, navigation, and safety.
This path involves building flight hours, gaining experience in diverse flying conditions, and mastering the skills needed to meet the FAA’s rigorous standards. Once certified, commercial pilots can explore opportunities across various sectors—from regional and international airlines to cargo, charter, and specialized aerial operations.
Part 61 or Part 141
In aviation, a “Part” refers to specific sections of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that govern various aspects of aviation activities, from pilot training to aircraft maintenance and operational rules.
Each “Part” in the FARs is a chapter covering distinct rules and requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These Parts are grouped under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which deals specifically with aeronautics and space.
For now, your first step is to choose between Part 61 and Part 141 training paths.
Part 61 and Part 141 flight training programs differ primarily in structure and flexibility, catering to different types of students.
Part 141 programs follow a rigorous, FAA-approved syllabus with a set schedule, making them ideal for full-time students seeking a structured path to licensure. These programs often require fewer flight hours for certain certificates and maintain detailed progress records through frequent stage checks.
In contrast, Part 61 programs provide a more flexible approach, allowing students to progress at their own pace with a curriculum tailored by the instructor. This setup suits those with busy schedules or other commitments, although it may require more flight hours to complete. Both pathways lead to the same FAA certifications, accommodating different learning styles and levels of availability.
Note for Foreign Students: Only Part 141 schools can issue an I-20, which may be necessary to apply for a student visa, such as the F-1 or M-1, required for full-time students. Therefore, if you choose a Part 61 program, you will need to secure your visa independently. Please contact the U.S. embassy in your country to explore your options.
Whether you opt for a Part 141 program or Part 61, the path is largely the same… the main difference lies in the number of hours required. Since Part 61 requires more time-building, let’s use it as an example to understand what it takes to become a professional pilot.
50 hours of cross-country time building requires flying to and landing at an airport at least 50 NM (in a straight line) from the departure airport. This can be done solo, with passengers, or as a safety pilot. You can also incorporate IFR training during your cross-country flights. (Approx. $8,500)
95 hours time building, which may vary depending on your training schedule, provides an opportunity to refine maneuvers, complete longer cross-country flights, and build practical experience. To accumulate hours with purpose, consider volunteering through an association… while it won’t cover expenses, it’s a rewarding way to make a positive impact. A cost-effective approach is to fly with another pilot, alternating roles as pilot or safety pilot, allowing you to practice IFR flying while sharing costs. (Approx. $15,000/$8000 shared)
1,250 hours time building can be the most challenging. Even with a CPL, finding low-hour pilot jobs can be difficult due to limited experience. Around 500-600 hours, roles in pipeline patrol, aerial surveying, banner towing, and crop dusting become more accessible. Most pilots nowadays go directly into instructing after obtaining their CPL, which is one option… whether or not it’s the best path is another debate. Consider pursuing additional ratings, such as multi-engine, or specialized training in areas like mountain flying or aerobatics, to make you a safer, more skilled pilot, serving you well in your aviation career.
Time building in aviation is an essential phase to accumulate the flight hours required for advanced certifications and career opportunities. During this period, you focus on gaining diverse flying experiences in various weather conditions, airspaces, and aircraft.
Min. Flight Training Req.: 40h
Average Flight Training: 65h
Average Cost: $17,000
The Private Pilot Certificate, or PPL, is the first step for aspiring commercial pilots, building foundational skills in flight operations, navigation, and decision-making. This certification allows you to fly small aircraft and carry passengers, providing essential experience for advanced training and a career in aviation.
While you can’t be paid for flights, you’re eligible to participate in certain activities, like search and rescue missions, charity events, and glider towing with additional training. However, you’re not permitted to fly in clouds or poor visibility conditions without first obtaining an instrument rating, which equips you to navigate safely when visibility is limited.
Flying requires extensive knowledge and demands intensive study. Becoming a pilot isn’t easy, but a well-designed ground school program can make it fun and engaging. You’ll also need to learn aviation’s unique “language” and radio communications, which can be particularly challenging for foreign students. Another difficulty is mastering multitasking in the cockpit, where you must divide your attention effectively while maintaining situational awareness.
Min. Flight Training Req.: 15h
Recomm. Flight Training: 40h
Average Cost: $11,000
The Instrument Rating, or IR, allows pilots to fly in low visibility conditions, such as clouds or fog, by relying on instruments for navigation. Most of the training will involve navigation, approaches, and IFR procedures in simulated instrument conditions, where you’ll wear a hood or glasses that obstruct your view outside the cockpit. You may also have the opportunity to fly in actual Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), providing valuable exposure to the effects of limited visibility and real-world Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) challenges, such as disorientation.
Your IR will expand your flight capabilities by reducing weather-related limitations on where and when you can fly. It will also allow you to operate above 18,000 feet MSL, or in Class A airspace, which is accessible only to IR-certified pilots.
Training to fly under IFR, enhances flight safety but is also more complicated than it may seem, as it involves managing disorientation, the absence of outside visual cues, and an intensive cockpit workload, which can feel overwhelming. Mastering multitasking becomes more critical than ever under these conditions.
Min. Flight Training Req.: 20h
Average Flight Training: 20h
Average Cost: $6,000…
The Commercial Pilot Certificate, or CPL, is a crucial step for pilots aiming to pursue aviation as a profession. This certification builds on skills developed in private pilot and instrument training, with an emphasis on precision. While similar to the PPL, the CPL includes additional advanced maneuvers and requires mastering all maneuvers to a higher standard of accuracy, preparing pilots for the demands of professional aviation.
With a CPL, you are permitted to be compensated for your flying, opening doors to careers in charter, flight instruction, banner towing, crop dusting, parachute jumping, aerial surveying, pipeline patrol, air tours, aerial photography, medical transport, and other commercial operations.
The CPL is considered one of the easier licenses to obtain, as it consolidates the knowledge and experience accumulated during previous training. The primary distinction lies in performing all maneuvers to a higher standard of accuracy, building on the skills developed in prior certifications.
Min. Flight Training Req.: 25h
Average Flight Training: 25h
Average Cost: $5,500
The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, or ATP, is the highest level of pilot certification, required for those who wish to become airline pilots or work for major cargo companies. Earning an ATP demands extensive experience, advanced knowledge of aviation regulations, weather, aircraft systems, and a high degree of precision in flying skills. This certification emphasizes advanced decision-making, crew resource management, and the ability to operate large, multi-engine aircraft in challenging environments. It not only demonstrates your commitment and expertise as a pilot but also qualifies you for significant responsibilities in the air carrier industry, making it the final and most respected step in a pilot’s career progression.
As an ATP, you’ll be eligible to fly as an air carrier pilot. While ongoing training for currency and additional type ratings is required, a key limitation is that ATP privileges end at age 65, after which other piloting roles may still be possible if qualified.
You must maintain a first-class medical certificate, renewed every 6 months after age 40, and undergo regular proficiency tests to ensure operational standards.
Min. Flight Training Required: 40h
Average Flight Training: 65h
Average Cost: $17,000
The Private Pilot Certificate, or PPL, is the first step for aspiring commercial pilots, building foundational skills in flight operations, navigation, and decision-making. This certification allows you to fly small aircraft and carry passengers, providing essential experience for advanced training and a career in aviation.
While you can’t be paid for flights, you’re eligible to participate in certain activities, like search and rescue missions, charity events, and glider towing with additional training. However, you’re not permitted to fly in clouds or poor visibility conditions without first obtaining an instrument rating, which equips you to navigate safely when visibility is limited.
Flying requires extensive knowledge and demands intensive study. Becoming a pilot isn’t easy, but a well-designed ground school program can make it fun and engaging. You’ll also need to learn aviation’s unique “language” and radio communications, which can be particularly challenging for foreign students. Another difficulty is mastering multitasking in the cockpit, where you must divide your attention effectively while maintaining situational awareness.
Min. Flight Training Required: 15h
Recomm. Flight Training: 40h
Average Cost: $11,000
The Instrument Rating, or IR, allows pilots to fly in low visibility conditions, such as clouds or fog, by relying on instruments for navigation. Most of the training will involve navigation, approaches, and IFR procedures in simulated instrument conditions, where you’ll wear a hood or glasses that obstruct your view outside the cockpit. You may also have the opportunity to fly in actual Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), providing valuable exposure to the effects of limited visibility and real-world Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) challenges, such as disorientation.
Your IR will expand your flight capabilities by reducing weather-related limitations on where and when you can fly. It will also allow you to operate above 18,000 feet MSL, or in Class A airspace, which is accessible only to IR-certified pilots.
Training to fly under IFR, enhances flight safety but is also more complicated than it may seem, as it involves managing disorientation, the absence of outside visual cues, and an intensive cockpit workload, which can feel overwhelming. Mastering multitasking becomes more critical than ever under these conditions.
Min. Flight Training Required: 20h
Average Flight Training: 20h
Average Cost: $6,000
The Commercial Pilot Certificate, or CPL, is a crucial step for pilots aiming to pursue aviation as a profession. This certification builds on skills developed in private pilot and instrument training, with an emphasis on precision. While similar to the PPL, the CPL includes additional advanced maneuvers and requires mastering all maneuvers to a higher standard of accuracy, preparing pilots for the demands of professional aviation.
With a CPL, you are permitted to be compensated for your flying, opening doors to careers in charter, flight instruction, banner towing, crop dusting, parachute jumping, aerial surveying, pipeline patrol, air tours, aerial photography, medical transport, and other commercial operations.
The CPL is considered one of the easier licenses to obtain, as it consolidates the knowledge and experience accumulated during previous training. The primary distinction lies in performing all maneuvers to a higher standard of accuracy, building on the skills developed in prior certifications.
Min. Flight Training Required: 25h
Average Flight Training: 25h
Average Cost: $5,500
The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, or ATP, is the highest level of pilot certification, required for those who wish to become airline pilots or work for major cargo companies. Earning an ATP demands extensive experience, advanced knowledge of aviation regulations, weather, aircraft systems, and a high degree of precision in flying skills. This certification emphasizes advanced decision-making, crew resource management, and the ability to operate large, multi-engine aircraft in challenging environments. It not only demonstrates your commitment and expertise as a pilot but also qualifies you for significant responsibilities in the air carrier industry, making it the final and most respected step in a pilot’s career progression.
As an ATP, you’ll be eligible to fly as an air carrier pilot. While ongoing training for currency and additional type ratings is required, a key limitation is that ATP privileges end at age 65, after which other piloting roles may still be possible if qualified.
You must maintain a first-class medical certificate, renewed every 6 months after age 40, and undergo regular proficiency tests to ensure operational standards.
The pace of your training depends on various factors: your commitment, the effort you put in, the time spent studying, and the quality of instruction. Progress is generally improved by regular flight lessons and a solid foundation of ground knowledge. Students who study thoroughly before beginning intensive flight training often achieve better results, requiring less flight time overall, which can save both time and money.
A well-structured flight lesson includes a pre-flight briefing to set objectives, review maneuvers, and address questions, followed by a pre-flight inspection to ensure the aircraft is safe to fly. In-flight, you’ll practice takeoffs, landings, maneuvers, and navigation, gradually taking more control and building accuracy and proficiency. After reaching a certain skill level, solo flights allow you to practice independently, reinforcing skills and building confidence. After the flight, a debriefing provides feedback and sets goals for the next session, with study materials assigned to reinforce learning.
Ground lessons offer dedicated time with your instructor to build the aeronautical knowledge required for your certificate or rating. Coming prepared and studying assigned materials enhances retention, reduces class and flight time, and saves money. Though home study can feel overwhelming, an online ground school can keep you on track, preparing you for your knowledge test and the oral portion of your practical test.
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