Commercial Pilot Certificate



A Commercial pilot certificate is required for an individual to act as pilot in command of an aircraft being operated for compensation or hire. 

To be eligible for a Commercial pilot certificate an individual must:

1) Be at least 18 years of age
2)Hold a private pilot certificate
3)Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
4) Meet the following aeronautical experience requirements:
    a)    at least 250 hours of piloting time including
    b)    20 hours of training with an instructor 
    c)    10 hours of solo flight
    d)    50 hours cross country in airplanes
    e)    20 hours of training in areas of operation listed for the rating
    f)    at least one cross country flight of not less than 300NM
    g)    5 hours of night flying experience 
5) Complete the FAA aeronautical knowledge test
6) Pass an oral test and flight test administered by an FAA inspector, FAA-designated examiner.

As with our other aviation ground schools, Orange Coast College offers a very robust and academically challenging program for the certification of commercial pilots.  Commercial Pilot Ground (APT 139) school is an advanced level course that is taken in conjunction with Aircraft Aerodynamics (APT 138).