How long does it take to get a commercial pilot's license (in the U.S.)?

Question

I love flying and I heard that many commercial pilots earn a great salary, especially for the big airlines like Delta, but how long does it take to get a commercial pilot's license (in the U.S.)?

Also, if possible, how much does it cost (by an average estimated range) to get a commercial pilot's license?

Answer 1

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 61, sub part 129 details the minimum requirements to be eligible for for a Commercial Pilot's certificate in the USA... Among the requirements is a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, including at least 50 hours cross-country, 20 hours of instrument flight, and at least 10 hours in a high-performance aircraft with retractable landing gear or a turbine engine.

This is the absolute minimum required for award of the certificate. In order to find a job as an airline pilot, most airlines will want to see more than one thousand hours as Pilot In Command, at least 250 hours in multi-engine aircraft and some turbine engine experience.

In order to earn the "Big Bucks" you always hear that airline pilots earn, you'll need at least a Bachelor's degree in an aviation related discipline, an Airline Transport Pilot's (ATP) certificate, and several thousand hours of pilot-in-command experience. Figure on working at below-minimum wages for at least 5-10 years before you make it to the big time, then hope the company you're working for doesn't go bankrupt or merge with another airline before you've managed to save a bit for retirement...

Good Luck with that.

Answer 2

Like your first answerer stated, it takes a lot more than just the commercial ticket to fly for an airline. They prefer at least a bachelors degree in basically anything, and you have to pass a higher medical screening than for the private license. The licenses that you would need are: Student, Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine, and ATP, plus turbine and jet ratings. Most airlines require a lot of hours in twins. Most people get the private in about 50-60 hours. The Instrument is very involved, but for a few grand you can take an intensive week of training with a checkride included that usually does the trick. The commercial is no big deal, and you can often do both the insturment and commercial simultaniously. It involves a few special maneuvers, learning a bunch of new regs, and time in a complex aircraft (variable pitch prop, retractable landing gear, and more powerful engine). Remember, you usually pay around $110 per hour for the plane and another $45 for the instructor. I would suggest finding a couple pilot buddies to go in on a Cessna 172 that is IFR capable to save money on renting. try getting into a leaseback deal with a local flight school where they rent out the plane when you and your partners aren't using it. It saves a bundle on maintenance. A lot of pilots go for the instructors certificate to build time and make connections with other pilots who might, for example, own a twin. Making a network of friends can open a lot of doors. A friend of mine is flying for an airline, and he spent his first couple years making less money than the guys who clean the cabin after a flight! Flying is by no means a get rich quick scheme! To make a really good salary you have to put in a few years and move on up to chief pilot or captain. I'm not trying to discourage you at all! Oh, by the way, airline pilots have a manditory retirement age of 60. Have you considered joining the military? If you do it yourself and you are a quick study, you will spend many thousands of dollars, but it is so much fun!

Answer 3

Commercial Pilot License

Answer 4

TOTAL TIME: 16-28 MONTHS

This is the real answer.

To answer your actual question, it takes between a minimum of 190 to 250 hours of flight time depending on with part you're under part141/part61. These are just minimums, almost nobody gets a commercial license at those hours. More realistically you can add at least 50 hours to the minimums. These hours will include your private, instrument, and commercial training.

Each step is challenging, costly and time consuming. People that say, "hey you can get instrument rating or PPL in a couple high intensity weeks are not being realistic, those are usually part 61 whole in the walls trying to lure students in. There's tough written tests for each one and you have to study a lot on top of everything practical that you're doing. People dont usually pass the FAA checkride until 50-60 hours flight time for each level as well. It usually takes anywhere from 4-6 months for each if you are going at a decent rate, learning everything you need to know. PPL is challenging because everything is new and it's a ton of information. Instrument is probably a little more challenging because you've got everything from private, and then a boatload of new info, charts, and navigation with foggles (fog goggles, the whole time you'll have to wear them). So after all that, you're about 25k in the whole from flight flight fees and tuition with about 120 hours flight time. Then you can start commercial training, which will be another minimum 120 hours and will be almost half solo cross country time. Don't have to wear the foggles anymore and flights tend to be a little longer, building more hours on a per day rate. Plan on spending 6-12 months in this stage. Then add on your cfi and multiengine ratings that you'll need, which are much shorter and can be done in 2-4 months total.

This won't guarantee you any job except as a flight instructor. But you will have your commercial pilot license, and that was the question you asked.

TOTAL TIME: 16-28 MONTHS

Answer 5

It took me 200 hours of flight training. But there is so much more to it than just a commercial pilots license. You will also have to acquire an instrument rating (not easy to do). Then you will have to acquire your ATP (Airline Transport Rating) and that is a very long and involved process requiring many more hours of training.

It's been so long since I've done any flying I haven't kept up with the costs. But it will be ex$pen$ive.

It's not a simple matter but GO FOR IT!!!

Answer 6

The big aviation myth is that pilot's get paid a lot of money, they don't. If you just want to fly to make money, don't do it. You will make good money, but not until you are in your 40's. Also if you like a stable job, steer clear of airlines. As for the cost of a commercial license, I have around $45k into mine. But I also have my inst. and multi-engine ratings.

Answer 7

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/ayjVG

If you have your private pilot certificate, you should know where to look to find your answer. Hint: it's in the FAR's assuming you're in the US.

Answer 8

Mostly is takes no more than 6 months including 180 hr's of flying and taking the FAA exams.

if you looking for a JAA licen it takes around 14 months minimum including the 14 subject with exams to end with ATPL licen to work with the big airlines company in any country around the world.