Become a Commercial Pilot
Get paid to fly!
What is a Commercial Pilot Certificate?
Obtaining a commercial pilot certificate is another milestone in an aviator's journey, opening doors to exciting professional opportunities within the aviation industry. At Summit Flight Academy, we understand the importance of this achievement and are dedicated to providing comprehensive training and support to help aspiring pilots earn their commercial pilot license (CPL). With this certification, pilots gain the authority to act as pilot in command (PIC) in commercial situations, receiving compensation for their services while ensuring safe and efficient flight operations.
Becoming a Commercial Pilot
How to start training with Summit Flight Academy
01
Gain Required Flight Experience
The path towards a commercial pilot certificate begins with accumulating the required 250 flight hours, a critical aspect of your journey. At Summit Flight Academy, our structured program provides a clear pathway to reach this milestone through a combination of comprehensive flight training, cross-country missions, and solo flight experiences. These carefully curated experiences will enhance your piloting skills, instill confidence, and cultivate the proficiency that characterizes a seasoned commercial pilot.
Our program is tailored to ensure you are well-prepared to meet the demanding requirements of the aviation industry and excel in your future commercial pilot career.
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02
Pass the Written Exam
At Summit Flight Academy, we understand the importance of a solid theoretical foundation for safe and knowledgeable commercial piloting. Our comprehensive ground instruction will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including aviation regulations, flight operations, crew responsibilities, aircraft maintenance requirements, air traffic control procedures, and the legal framework governing compensation for commercial services.
The written examination will assess your understanding of these critical subjects, ensuring you possess a comprehensive knowledge of legal compliance, meteorology, navigation, and more, to prepare you for a successful career in aviation. Our experienced instructors will provide personalized support and resources to help you excel in this exam, laying the groundwork for your success as a skilled and responsible commercial pilot.
03
Complete Requirements
Achieving your Commercial Pilot Certificate at Summit Flight Academy involves fulfilling specific flight requirements, including demanding long cross-country flights and other critical experiences. Our commercial program ensures that you master advanced flight maneuvers and precise navigation techniques to complete these cross-country missions successfully.
With your long cross-country flight, you'll demonstrate your ability to plan and execute complex missions, showcasing your aptitude for real-world challenges. Our structured curriculum guides you through extensive cross-country missions, providing hands-on exposure to diverse flying conditions. We prioritize safety and precision, ensuring you are well-prepared to excel in your commercial pilot checkride and embark on a successful career in aviation.
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04
Pass Your Checkride
The culmination of your commercial pilot training at Summit Flight Academy is the checkride, a pivotal moment that showcases the culmination of your training and expertise. Our experienced instructors will provide comprehensive preparation, ensuring you are thoroughly ready to excel in this crucial evaluation.
During the checkride, you'll embark on a journey that highlights your proficiency, aeronautical decision-making skills, and your ability to handle real-world scenarios with confidence and composure. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your readiness to transform from a dedicated trainee into a skilled and certified commercial pilot, fully prepared to embrace the challenges and opportunities of a rewarding aviation career.
With a paramount focus on safety and precision, our instructors will guide you every step of the way, ensuring you confidently take to the skies and showcase your abilities to the examiner.
Pricing
Commercial Pilot Training Package
A Commercial Pilot certificate is the start of doors opening in your aviation career. Many students move on from their commercial rating to earn Flight Instructor certification or build hours towards their flying goals.
Commercial Pilot (Piper) Training Package
$3,500 /1st month
Pay $3,350 in months 2-4 or Pay $13,000 once
Our four-month commercial package sets you up to start achieving your aviation goals!
- 40 hours of aircraft flight time (pre-req of 10 TAA or complex hours required at this time, or are available via multi-engine training)*
- Simulator Time.
- Instructor services, including checkride prep.
- Online ground school course.
- ForeFlight Electronic chart subscription.
- Non owned insurance.
*Flight training hours are planned over four months--12-15 flight hours each month. Students may exceed a four month timeframe depending on frequency of flights, however no additional payment will be due unless hours are exhausted (usually due to infrequent flying).
*We provide the national average flight time in our package to minimize last minute surprise costs and to ensure any financing accounts better accounts for expected costs up front. Some flight schools may offer less hours, leaving you to potentially pay more later when you are close to being finished. You'll find us competitive in pricing even though we offer more hours.
If you do beat the average and earn your certificate in less than 40 flight hours, you have 60 days to fly any remaining hours or we'll roll them into your instrument course.
Commercial Pilot
Frequently asked questions
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Hold a U.S. private pilot certificate
- Hold at least a third-class medical certificate (all career-bound students need to secure a first-class medical)
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements
- Pass a knowledge test
- Pass the practical test (aka checkride)
- Want to fly for compensation in any form.
- Want to challenge themselves to fly with more precision.
- Aspire to teach future pilots.
- Can meet second and/or first-class medical certification requirements
- Complete ground school (online + instructor): Upon completion, you will takean FAA knowledge exam on advanced levels of aviation topics covered on yourprivate pilot knowledge exam such as aircraft systems, weather, and flightplanning. New for commercial students is learning the applicable commercialaviation regulations, commercial pilot privileges, and limitations.
- Advanced Cross Country Flying: Commercial pilots often spend a lot more oftheir flight time in cross country flying. You'll complete additional dual cross countryflights to refine your ability to fly further, encountering more complex weather,airspace, and flight planning.
- Advanced Maneuvers: A commercial pilot refines their flying skills withadvanced maneuvers that demonstrate even greater command of an aircraft.
- Checkride preparation: Once all the FAA requirements are completed, you'llbegin to focus on bringing it all together. You'll work with your instructor to prep forthe oral portion of your checkride and fly together to ensure all your flight tasksmeet the FAA airmen certification standards for private pilots.
- Third-party fees: You'll pay directly for your medical exam (~$150 if needed),knowledge test ($175), and checkride fee ($850).
- NaNhours of total time and overall requirements of CFR 61.129, you will needadditional time to meet those requirements. We can assist you with those hours ina variety of ways with simulator time, time-building with another pilot, or getting anearly start on right-seat flying if earning your CFI certificate is in your plans. Pleaseinquire for a plan and quote.
What are the requirements to be a commercial pilot?
The FAA has the following requirements to become a private pilot:
Is a commercial pilot certificate right for you?
A commercial pilot certificate is best for pilots that:
What will I learn and do in training?
Some of what you'll learn and do:
What's not included?
Two categories of items: