Commercial Pilot
Generally, most professional pilots begin their career at a small airport, building flight time and learning the general knowledge necessary to becoming a career instructor, airline, or corporate pilot. For most people, this career path is started with the Private Pilot License. The Private usually takes around 50-55 hours and allows its holder to carry passengers and fly without supervision. Many people continue to rent aircraft while others pursue owning by themselves or with a group of other pilots in fractional ownership or in a Club.
A strict limitation is placed on a newly certified Private Pilot, unless further training is received, flying into the is prohibited. In order to gain additional privilege to fly in all weather conditions, an Instrument Rating must be added to the Private Pilot license. Usually taking about 40 hours, the instrument rating is where a true understanding of clouds, and normal and severe weather are obtained. Once obtained, a pilot can expect to be comfortable in adverse weather situations and not limited to those nice calm days if so desired.
A minimum of 250 hours is required for the Commercial Pilot License. Some additional flying is necessary to “build time”, whether flying by yourself for fun or bringing friends to new places, all flight time counts. The Commercial rating allows a pilot to carry passengers and receive compensation. Usually this is limited to scenic flight and local sightseeing, but it is not necessary to obtain a Flight Instructor certificate.
Many times, people combine their Commercial Pilot and their Certified Flight Instructor training as one training program. With the two combined, it requires approximately 20 hours of flying and 50 hours of one-on-one ground training where the student practices teaching the instructor. After receiving these two ratings, a pilot is qualified to begin teaching other prospective students.
For more detailed information about the Commercial Pilot License, click here.
For general information about all ratings and licenses, click here.