Commercial Pilot Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. How long does it take to become a commercial pilot?

  2. What is a CPL salary?

  3. How much does it cost for a commercial pilot license?

  4. How hard is it to get a commercial pilot license?

Getting your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is a big step if you want to make flying a career. It builds on everything you’ve learned as a private pilot and adds new skills that prepare you for professional flying. Here’s what the process involves:

What You Need:

  • Flight Hours: The FAA requires a minimum of 250 total flight hours, which includes cross-country flights, night flying, and solo time.

  • Advanced Skills: You’ll practice more complex maneuvers, like chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals, and emergency procedures. It’s all about refining your control and flying with precision.

  • Book Work: Ground school dives deeper into topics like aerodynamics, weather, flight planning, and FAA regulations. You’ll also focus on decision-making and managing cockpit resources — skills that are crucial when flying professionally.

  • The Checkride: The final step is the checkride with an examiner, where you’ll show off both your flying skills and your ability to handle real-world scenarios.

Time and Money:
How long it takes depends on how often you fly. Some people finish in a few months, while others take longer if they’re training part-time. As for the cost, we estimate the cost to be $10,425. This estimated price can fluctuate depending on things like aircraft rental rates and instructor fees.

Why Go for It?
Getting your CPL means you can finally get paid to fly. It opens up jobs like flight instructing, aerial surveying, or even flying cargo. Plus, if your ultimate goal is to fly for the airlines or corporate aviation, this license is a key step toward getting your Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.

If you’re serious about flying and want to make a career out of it, earning your CPL is a challenging but rewarding journey. If you are thinking about taking the next step, our team at ActivePILOT would be happy to answer any questions you may have.