A commercial pilot may be compensated for flying. Training for the certificate focuses on a better understanding of aircraft systems and a higher standard of airmanship. The commercial certificate itself does not allow a pilot to fly in instrument meteorological conditions. For aircraft categories where an instrument rating is available, commercial pilots without an instrument rating are restricted to daytime flight within 50 nautical miles (93 km) when carrying passengers for hire.

 

Requirements

- Be at least 18 years of age

- Hold a private pilot certificate

- Be able to read, speak, and understand the English language

- Obtain at least a current third-class medical certificate

- Pass a knowledge test as well as the practical test

- Accumulate and log a specified amount of training and experience; the

   following are part of the airplane single-engine land class rating             requirements:

-If training under Part 61, at least 250 hours of piloting time including       20 hours of training with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, and     other requirements including several "cross-country" flights, i.e., more   than 50 nautical miles (93 km)(25 NM for helicopter rate) from the   departure airport (which include Day VFR and Night VFR 100 nmi   (190 km) between beginning point and destination, with a time of at   least two hours; also one cross country of at least 250 nmi (460 km) to   the destination, a 300 nmi (560 km) total distance, with landings at   three airports) and both solo and instructor-accompanied night flights

-If training under Part 141, at least 150 hours of training time including   55 hours with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, and other     requirements including several cross-country, solo, and night flights

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