Fly-Olathe

Commercial Pilot

A Perfect Fit

A Commercial Pilots license allows you to get paid while doing what you enjoy, flying! This certificate opens many doors both in private sector and commercial.

What is Required to Become a Commercial Pilot?

The FAA Answer

Here are the FAA minimum aeronautical experience requirements to earn a commercial pilot certificate for Airplane, Single Engine, Land.  These requirements are defined in FAR 61.129(a).

Total Minimum Time

250 Hours Total Time

100 hours in powered aircraft (50 hours in an airplane)

PIC Time

100 hours PIC including

50 hours airplane PIC

50 hours cross country PIC (10 hours airplane)

Training Hours

20 hours of dual instruction on the areas of operation in 61.127(b) including...

10 hours instrument training (5 hours airplane)

10 hours in a complex aircraft

2 hour day dual VFR cross country at least 100NM from departure

2 hour night dual VFR cross country at least 100NM from departure

3 hours of training in preparation for the check ride

Solo Time*

10 hours of solo time in an airplane including...

1 long solo cross country flight at least 300 NM total with landings at 3 points and one leg at least 250NM straight line distance from departure point

5 hours solo in night VFR conditions

10 solo night take offs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower

*These solo hours can also be accomplished with a flight instructor but you will save money and learn much more by doing this solo.

There are a few additional requirements to qualify for the Practical Test.

Knowledge

Receive and log the aeronautical knowledge training defined by FAR 61.125(b).

Minimum Age

18 Years (no maximum age!)

Language

Read/Write/Speak and Understand English

Written Test

Pass the FAA Written test within 24 months

All "deficiencies" found in the written test reviewed and corrected

Prep Training

3 hours of training in preparation for the check ride within 2 calendar months of the practical test

Medical

Minimum of a Class 3 FAA Medical

Private Pilot Certificate

What You Need

Our Private Pilot Certificate is a great fit for anyone.

The minimum requirements:

Total Time: 40 hours flying minimum which consists of at least:

Dual: 20 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

1. 3 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane;

2. 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least:
   a) 1 cross country flight of over 100 nm total distance; and
   b) 10 T/O’s and 10 landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.

3. 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and

4. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test.

Solo: 10 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

1. 5 hours of solo cross country flying;

2. 1 solo cross country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings; and

3. 3 T/O’s and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or to learn more.