Commercial Pilot Certificate

The information below is provided only as a quick reference guide for the required aeronautical experience requirements of Part 61. You should always refer to the Federal Aviation Regulation for the most current and complete requirements for the certificate or rating you are interested in.

Reference: §61.129 - Aeronautical experience

For a Single Engine Airplane Rating:
Total Time: 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:

A. 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--

1. 50 hours in airplanes; and
2. 50 hours in cross-country flying of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.

C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation 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 a complex airplane or a turbine powered airplane;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a single engine airplane in day VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
4. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a single engine airplane in night VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
5. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.

D. Solo: 10 hours of solo flight in a single engine airplane on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that
includes—

1. One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nm. with landings with a min of 3 points, one of which is a straight line distance of more than 250 nm.; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.

For a Multiengine Airplane Rating:
Total Time: 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:

A. 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--

1. 50 hours in airplanes; and
2. 50 hours in cross-country flying of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.

C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--

1. 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a multiengine airplane;
2. 10 hours of training in a complex multiengine airplane or turbine powered multiengine airplane;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a multiengine airplane in day VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
4. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a multiengine airplane in night VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
5. 3 hours of flight training in a multiengine airplane within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.

D. Solo or Performing PIC: 10 hours of solo flying or performing the duties as PIC with an instructor in a multiengine airplane on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that includes at least-

1. One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nm. with landings with a min of 3 points, one of which is a straight line distance of more than 250 nm.; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.