The Commercial Pilot Certificate trains you to a higher degree of skill and ability, in preparation for a professional flying career. As a professional pilot you can be compensated or your piloting services. During your course you will learn about the privileges and limitations you have as a Commercial Pilot, and receive in depth training in the systems and operation of your aircraft. You will also operate your aircraft to its maximum capabilities in high performance maneuvers, achieving a new level of mastery and safety.

Certification Costs

It is required you complete your certificate in a complex airplane. However, it is not required that you conduct all your training in a complex plane.  This cost breakdown is based on using a Cessna 172P and a Piper Arrow. For more information on the price differences between the available aircraft, please visit the aircraft fleet page.

Hours Description Per Hour Totals
5 Cessna 172P $98.00 $490.00
10 Piper Arrow II $130.00 $1,300.00
15 Flight Instruction $48.00 $720.00
10 Ground Instruction $48.00 $480.00

Cessna CD-ROM Interactive Flight


Training Kit $299.00

Additional Supplies
$50.00

Written Test Fee
$80.00

Practical Test Fee
$350.00
3 Piper Arrow II (Practical Test) $130.00 $390.00



$4,159.00

*Note: These times assume you have an instrument rating and you meet all of the hourly requirements except the 10 hours of complex time and are proficient.

FAA Requirements

According to FAA FAR 61.123 a person must satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for a Commercial Pilot Certification:

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. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
  • Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
  1. Conducted the required ground training or reviewed the person's home study on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in Sec. 61.125 of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought; and
  2. Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test that applies to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
  • Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in Sec. 61.125 of this part;
  • Receive the required training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
  1. Conducted the training on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought; and
  2. Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.
  • Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this subpart that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought before applying for the practical test;
  • Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought;
  • Hold at least a private pilot certificate issued under this part or meet the requirements of Sec. 61.73; and
  • Comply with the sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.

According to FAA FAR 61.129 a person must satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for a Commercial Pilot Certification:

Aeronautical experience.

For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:

  • 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
  • 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least--
  1. 50 hours in airplanes; and
  2. 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
  • 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(1) of this part that includes at least--
  1. 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a single-engine airplane;
  2. 10 hours of training in an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine-powered, or for an applicant seeking a single-engine seaplane rating, 10 hours of training in a seaplane that has flaps and a controllable pitch propeller;
  3. 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;
  4. 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
  5. 3 hours in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
  • 10 hours of solo flight in a single-engine airplane on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(1) of this part, which includes at least--
  1. 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. However, if this requirement is being met in Hawaii, the longest segment need only have a straight-line distance of at least 150 nautical miles; and
  2. 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.

*Note: This list is intended for informational purposes only goto FAA.gov for more information.