Earn Your Commercial Pilot Certificate

Start your pilot career with your commercial pilot certificate

Fly for a career

Become a Commercial Pilot

A commercial pilot certificate allows you to fly for compensation or hire.

What is a

Commercial Pilot Certificate?

A Commercial Pilot Certificate allows you to fly for compensation or hire, opening doors to various aviation careers such as flight instructing, surveying, skydiving operations, and more. At Blue Skies Above, we provide structured training programs that prepare you for these opportunities.

When you start commercial pilot training, you'll deepen your understanding of aviation regulations, including the requirements for different parts of the FAR, and learn to fly with greater precision. Although not mandatory, completing your Instrument Rating alongside your Commercial Pilot Certificate expands the types of flying you can do for compensation, such as under Part 135 operations.

How to Get Your Commercial Pilot Certificate

Important pre-requisites to meet before becoming a commercial pilot

Complete Your Instrument Rating

While not technically a requirement, not having an instrument rating when completing you commercial pilot certificate limits you in the type of flying you can do for compensation.

Instrument Rating

Log Flight Hours

You need 250 total flight hours to get your commercial pilot certificate. 110 of these hours are normally logged when getting your PPL and IR, but the other 140 will be logged via time building.

Time Building Package

Meet Minimum Requirements

Once you’re approaching 250 total flight hours, there are different types of cross-country trips that you are required to complete to meet the minimum requirements to take the commercial pilot practical exam.

Finish-Up

Fly With an Examiner

You'll fly with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and demonstrate you have the skills to fly as a commercial pilot in a TAA aircraft and meet the requirements of the Airmen Certification Standards (ACS).

Your TAA Plane

Training with Blue Skies

What to Expect During Training

Prepare to fly at a higher standard, where precision is key. The ACS standards for commercial pilots are stricter compared to private pilots, ensuring you develop the skills needed to fly professionally. At Blue Skies Above, we offer a structured syllabus, experienced instructors, and access to a modern fleet, giving you the tools to become a more skilled and confident pilot.

You’ll be flying in our newest Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), the Cessna 172, for some of your training. Check out the details below.

Our TAA Cessna

Pricing

Learn More About Our Training Packages

Choose the best package that fits your aviation goals.

Commercial Pilot Certificate With Time Building

Make flying your career with Commercial Pilot Certificate

*35 weeks to complete (approximately)

$25,150

or

As low as

$600/month

with Flight Training Financing

Enroll Today Learn More
  • 3 lessons per week
  • 88 hours of syllabus flights
  • 17 hours of added time-building
  • 55 hours of flight instruction
  • 30 hours of ground instruction
  • Ground school kit included
  • Pay up front or incrementally

Finish-Up or Added Rating

Complete or obtain additional qualifications. Make flying your career.

*2 weeks to complete (approximately)

$4,419

or

As low as

$125/month

with Flight Training Financing

Enroll Today Learn More
  • 3 lessons per week
  • 15 hours of flight time
  • 15 hours of flight instruction
  • 10 hours of ground instruction
  • Ground school kit included
  • Pay up front or incrementally
See financing options
You can complete your training and pay by the hour instead of through a package. To see our hourly rates, please click here .

Pilot Career Paths

What Careers are Available to Commercial Pilots?

Once you complete your commercial pilot training, various aviation roles become accessible, allowing you to build flight time and gain experience while getting paid to fly. Some of these roles include:

Enroll Now

We are the flight training experts in Lanett, AL

Providing pilot training to the Auburn, Columbus, Opelika, LaGrange, Montgomery areas in Alabama and Georgia

As the only independent flight school with a Cessna fleet in the area, we pride ourselves in training safe and highly proficient pilots. Come see what everyone's talking about! Visit Blue Skies Above and begin flight training today.

Next Steps
Visit Blue Skies Above
Professional Flight Instruction

Visit our flight school, start pilot training and join the family, like & follow us on social media. We're excited to partner with you and be a part of your aviation journey. Let's go flying together!