A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) allows you to be paid to fly. It requires a minimum of 250 total flight hours, an instrument rating is strongly recommended, and training focuses on precision maneuvers, complex-aircraft operations, and commercial regulations. It is the certificate that turns flying from a hobby into a profession.
From hobby to career
The commercial certificate is where flying becomes a job. You'll refine your stick-and-rudder skills to a professional standard, master precision maneuvers like chandelles, lazy eights, and eights-on-pylons, and step up to our high-performance Cessna 182.
Building the hours
Reaching 250 hours is part of the journey. Many students build time through cross-country flying, and then continue straight into their flight instructor certificates — teaching is the most common and rewarding way to build toward the 1,500 hours an airline requires. We'll help you plan the most efficient, cost-effective route to your goal.
What you can do with a CPL
- Fly for hire — flight instruction, banner towing, aerial survey, charter, and more.
- Continue toward airline transport pilot (ATP) certification and a major-carrier career.
- Operate complex and high-performance aircraft to commercial standards.