how long does it take to become a PIC of a commercial plane?

Question

i heard "kelley s" say that a pilot can decide his schedule if he has seniority....how long does it take

Answer 1

You are mixing your terminology.

PIC status simply refers to which Pilot is in command of the aircraft at any moment in time. When the Pilot hands over the plane and Pilot responsibility to the co-pilot the co-pilot is now PIC, until relieved by the captain. as PIC/SIC he assumes the roles and responsibility of the captain in operating the aircraft.

Commercial rating
NOTE 2: Except for Commercial Pilot applicants who complete a Part 141 approved Commercial Pilot Certification course of training, the “10 hours of solo flying . . . on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation” for the single engine airplane, multiengine airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, and powered lift ratings would need to reflect at least 20 hours of solo time in the “Solo” box of the aircraft category on the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” (FAA Form 8710-1) to account for the Private Pilot solo aeronautical experience.

NOTE 3: Per § 61.129(b)(4), it permits a Commercial Pilot applicant for the multiengine airplane rating to be either solo flight time or performing the duties of PIC with an instructor onboard. In the case of a Commercial Pilot applicant for the multiengine airplane rating who performed “. . . . 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a multiengine airplane with an authorized instructor . . ." [i.e., § 61.129(b)(4)], the aeronautical experience shown in the “Solo” box for the "Airplane" category on the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” (FAA Form 8710-1) may only reflect 10 hours of solo flight time, and the “Pilot in Command” box would be required to show at least 100 hours [i.e., § 61.129(b)(2)].

NOTE 4: Applicants for a commercial pilot certificate with the airplane single engine, airplane multiengine, helicopter, gyroplane, or powered-lift ratings and who already holds an instrument rating that is appropriate to the category and class rating sought are not required to accomplish an additional “. . . 10 hours of instrument training . . .” as stated in § 61.129(a)(3)(i); § 61.129(b)(3)(i); § 61.129(c)(3)(i); § 61.129(d)(3)(i); and § 61.129(e)(3)(i). However, the required commercial pilot training hour requirements [i.e., ". . . on the areas of operation listed in § 61.127 . . ."] of 20 hours in § 61.129(a)(3), (b)(3), (c)(3), (d)(3), and (e)(3) cannot be reduced to 10 hours.

NOTE 5: If an applicant already holds a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating, and is seeking an additional aircraft class rating within the same category of aircraft rating held by the applicant then that applicant [per § 61.63(c)(4)] “. . . Need not meet the specified training time requirements prescribed by this part that apply to the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating sought unless the person holds a lighter-than-air category rating with a balloon class rating and is seeking an airship class rating; and . . .”]. Otherwise, that applicant need not accomplish an additional “. . . 10 hours of instrument training . . .”. However, the instructor will be expected to provide the applicant with enough instrument training in order for the applicant to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency and competency on Area of Operation VII Navigation.

NOTE 6: If an applicant is undergoing a combined Part 141 Commercial Pilot Certification and Instrument Rating approved course then that applicant need not accomplish an additional “. . . 10 hours of instrument training . . .”. Because in this situation, the applicant is getting instrument training and there would be no way, or need, to differentiate the instrument training required in the Instrument Rating course with the instrument training required in the Commercial Pilot Certification course.

NOTE 7: The 10 hours performing the duties as PIC with an instructor on board should be listed in the “Pilot in Command” column of the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” (FAA Form 8710-1).

X. 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; (See Note 4)
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— (see Note 2)
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.

XI. 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; (See Note 4)
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--(see Notes 3 and 7)
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.

XII. For a Powered-Lift 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 powered-lifts.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--
1. 50 hours in powered-lifts; and
2. 50 hours in cross-country flying of which at least 10 hours must be in powered-lifts.
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 powered-lift; (See Note 4)
2. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a powered-lift in day VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a powered-lift in night VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
4. 3 hours of flight training in a powered-lift within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.
D. Solo: 10 hours of solo flight in a powered-lift on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that includes at
least- (See Note 2)
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.

XIII. For a Helicopter Rating:
Total Time: 150 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 helicopters.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--
1. 35 hours in helicopters; and
2. 10 hours in cross-country flying in helicopters.
C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--
1. 10 hours of instrument training in an aircraft; (See Note 4)
2. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a helicopter in day VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from the departure point;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a helicopter in night VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from the departure point;
4. 3 hours of flight training in a helicopter within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.
D. Solo: 10 hours of solo flying in a helicopter on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that includes at
least-- (See Note 2)
1. One cross-country flight with 3 points of landings of a straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from original departure point; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.

XIV. For a Gyroplane Rating:
Total Time: 150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
A. 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 25 hours must be in gyroplanes.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--
1. 10 hours in gyroplanes; and
2. 3 hours in cross-country flying in gyroplanes.
C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--
1. 5 hours of instrument training in an aircraft; (See Note 4)
2. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a gyroplane in day VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from the departure point;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a gyroplane in night VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from the departure point;
4. 3 hours of flight training in a gyroplane within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.
D. Solo: 10 hours of solo flying in a gyroplane on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that includes at
least-- (See Note 2)
1. One cross-country flight with 3 points of landings of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nm. from original departure point; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.

XV. For a Glider Rating
Total Time: If the applicant has logged at least 25 hours in gliders that includes at least 100 flights in glider as a PIC, then that applicant must have logged at least:
A. 3 hours in gliders or 10 flights in gliders on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--
1. Dual: 3 flights in a glider with an instructor within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test; and
2. Solo: 2 hours of solo flying in a glider that includes 10 solo flights in a glider on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation.

or must have logged at least:

Total Time: If the applicant has logged at least 200 hours as a pilot in heavier-than-air aircraft and 20 flights in gliders as a PIC, then that applicant must have logged at least:
B. 3 hours in gliders or 10 flights in a glider on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--
1. Dual: 3 flights in a glider with an instructor within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test; and
2. Solo: 5 solo flights in a glider on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation.

XVI. For an Airship Rating:
Total Time: Must have logged at 200 hours of flight time as a pilot that includes at least:
A. 50 hours in airships;
B. 30 hours of PIC time in airships that includes at least--
1. 10 hours of cross-country flying in an airship; and
2. 10 hours of night time in airships.
C. 40 hours of instrument time, which consists of 20 hours in flight of which 10 hours were in airships; and
D. Dual: 20 hours of flight training in airships on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that
includes— (See Note 8 below)
1. 3 hours of flight training in an airship within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test;
2. 1 cross-country of at least 1 hour in duration in an airship in day VFR conditions of more than 25 nm. total distance; and
3. 1 cross-country of at least 1 hour in duration in an airship in night VFR conditions of more than 25 nm. total distance.
E. Perform PIC: 10 hours in an airship performing duties as a PIC with an instructor on board on the CP areas of operation, that includes— (See Note 8 below)
1. 1 cross-country flight in an airship; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings. (See Note 8 below)

NOTE 8:

The “20 hours of flight training in airships” in paragraph D should be listed in the “Instruction Received” column of the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” (FAA Form 8710 1);

The “10 hours in an airship performing the duties as a PIC with an instructor on board” in paragraph E should be listed in the “Pilot-in-Command” column of the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application" (FAA Form 8710 1) and

And the “5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings” in paragraph E.2. shall be listed in the “Night Takeoff/landings” and Night Pilot in Command” columns of the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” (FAA Form 8710 1).

XVII. For a Balloon Rating:
Total Time: Must of logged at least 35 hours of flight time as a pilot, that includes:
A. 20 hours in balloons;
B. 10 flights in balloons;
C. 2 flights in balloons as a PIC; and
D. 10 hours in balloons that includes at least 10 flights in balloons on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation,

which includes:

1. If the training is in a gas balloon--
a. Dual: 2 training flights of 2 hours each with an instructor in a gas balloon on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation within less than 60 days of the practical test;
b. Dual: 1 flight involving a controlled ascent to 5,000 feet AGL; and
c. Perform PIC: 2 flights performing the duties of PIC a gas balloon with an authorized instructor on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation.

or includes:

2. If the training is in a balloon with an airborne heater—
a. Dual: 2 training flights of 1 hr each with an instructor in a balloon-airborne heater on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation within less than 60 days of the practical test;
b. Dual: 1 flight involving a controlled ascent to 3,000 feet AGL; and
c. Solo: 2 solo flights in a balloon with an airborne heater on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation; and



Commercail pilot. There are two commercial pilot ratings, commercial pilot and air transprt pilot (ATP) The ATP's rating is required by U.S. airlines to fly passengers in big jets.

While FAA sets minimum certification requirements for air carriers (commercial certificate with instrument rating), each airline sets its own minimum experience requirements. For example, FAA requires 250 total hours for a commercial pilot certificate. However, few, if any, airlines use that amount of flight time as their own minimum standard. They may require 1,000 or 2,000 hours or more.

For an ATP trating you need.

XIX. For an Airplane Ratings:
Total Time - 1,500 hours that includes at least--
A. 500 hours of cross-country flying;
B. 100 hours of night time;
C. 75 hours of instrument time; and
D. 250 hours in an airplane as a PIC, or as SIC performing the duties of PIC, or any combination thereof, that includes at least — (See Note 10)
1. 100 hours of cross-country flying; and
2. 25 hours of night time.

XX. For a Helicopter Rating:
Total Time - 1,200 hours that includes at least--
A. 500 hours of cross-country flying;
B. 100 hours of night time, of which 15 hours were in helicopters;
C. 75 hours of instrument time;
D. 200 hours in a helicopter that includes 75 hours of PIC time, or as SIC performing the duties of PIC, or any combination thereof; and (See Note 10)
E. 75 hours of instrument time, that includes 50 hours in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters.

XXI. For a Powered-Lift Rating:
Total Time - 1,500 hours that includes at least--
A. 500 hours of cross-country flying;
B. 100 hours of night time;
C. 75 hours of instrument time; and
D. 250 hours of PIC time in an powered-lift as a PIC, or as SIC performing the duties of PIC, or any combination thereof, that includes at least-- (See Note 10)
1. 100 hours of cross-country flying; and
2. 25 hours of night time.

XXII. For an additional Category Rating at the ATP Certification Level onto an existing ATP Certificate:
A. For an Airplane category rating in a single engine or multiengine airplane - 250 hours of flight time in airplanes as a PIC, or as SIC performing the duties of PIC, or any combination thereof.
B. For a Helicopter rating-200 hours of flight time in helicopters that includes 75 hours of PIC time, or as SIC performing the duties of PIC, or any combination thereof.
C. For a Powered-Lift rating-250 hours of flight time in powered-lifts as a PIC, or as SIC performing the duties of PIC, or any combination thereof.

You get seniority with an airline you get the desired routes as PIC and ATP

Answer 2

The PIC of a commercial airplane is the "captain", In order to acheive this status, a pilot would have to work up the ranks just like any in any other job where one would get a promotion.

Answer 3

It depends. There are diffrent levels of seniority at an airline. To be a PIC you need to be a Captian. Usually the senior Captians get to decide where to go etc.