Commercial Pilot Requirements

61.123 – Commercial Pilot Requirements
To be eligible for a Commercial Pilot Certificate a person must:

– Be at least 18 years of age
– Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
– Hold at least a current third class medical certificate.
– Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate or meet the requirements of FAR 61.73
– Pass a written exam on the on the aeronautical knowledge areas of FAR 61.125.
– Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
1.) Has conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in FAR 61.127(b)
2.) Has certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.

Meet the aeronautical experience requirements that apply to the aircraft rating sought.
Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in:
– FAR 61.127(b).
– FAR 61.129

61.129 Aeronautical Experience
At least 250 hours of flight time with at least:

1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.

2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least:
(i) 50 hours in airplanes; and
(ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.

3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in ?61.127(b)(1) with at least
(i) 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a single-engine airplane;
(ii) 10 hours of training in an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps,
and a controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine-powered
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in day VFR conditions,
consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the
original point of departure;
(iv) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in night VFR conditions,
consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point
of departure; and

(v) 3 hours in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period
preceding the date of the test.

4) 10 hours of solo flight in a single-engine plane on the areas listed in FAR 61.127(b)(1) which
includes at least:
(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a
minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from
the original departure point. and
(ii) 5 hours 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.

5) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.