How to Become a Commercial Pilot | 61.129 Experience Requirements | CPL Requirements

Getting the aeronautical experience requirements to be eligible for a Commercial Pilot license can seem like a twisted scavenger hunt. This video breaks down all the requirements under Part 61.
We've also developed a checklist you can use to make sure your flight time qualifies you to apply. Check it out at 7ca04b1e-fae0-...
Ready for more training? Check out our ground schools at flight-insight...

[@intrepidfox37]

So you're just making videos, literally following me along my flight training? Your videos were a great help for my IR training and now I just started Commercial. Right on time! 🙏🏾👍🏾

[@mithunmathews7577]

Lolz. Ditto. Got my ir ticket yesterday!!!

[@intrepidfox37]

@@mithunmathews7577 Congrats! Let's get this commercial now💪🏾💪🏾

[@christiangraves9340]

Same here lol its been really helpful

[@jason618]

I've been thinking about getting my commercial license to fly regional Jets. I understand that the market is short on pilots and that now would be a good time to get into the industry. What was your experience like?

[@uviwemburwana323]

Get that licence man you can do it!!!

[@avfan967]

Ridiculously complicated by FAA lawyers made simple by this video. Awesome!!

[@30Freeman03]

😂

[@jasonchipkin]

Just completed the Commercial Pilot course. The Experience Checklist was priceless. It broke down what to look for in your logbook to satisfy the FAR requirements.

[@Kevlux86]

Part of my PIC time was while doing tail wheel, complex, and high performance endorsements after my private and it taught me SO much!

[@seddyhero6243]

This is awesome. Nicely done as always! More commercial videos would be great!

[@rianmonnahan]

Here's an interesting question requiring some interpretation of the FARs.... I hold a US/FAA PPL SEPL with a complex endorsement, a French/EASA PPL SEL with a complex (B) endorsement and a tow endorsement... all of this from years ago. I also hold a French/EASA SPL/FI(S) with winch, aerotow and self-launch endorsements. I got my US PPL first and then just passed my French PPL because it was easier than going through the conversion process at the time (1990s). I got my SPL and my glider flight instructor (FI(S)) rating at about the same time. Now, I've logged some 500 hours in SEL airplanes of various sorts (simple/complex) over the years, have had some instrument training, etc. However, the bulk of my flying has been in high performance gliders., about 3000 hours. Judging from the text of the FARs presented in your video, all of this time can at least partially count toward my commercial. Yet, I wonder if that is really the case given the international aspect of my flying "carrer." Does my time flying an EASA registered glider or airplane under a French /EASA licence count as time under my US PPL ? Or not? Should I log all my time regardless of the aircraft in a composite logbook as proof? Have fun with this one. I'll eventually have to ask the FAA's attorney for a ruling, but I'm curious about your take. By the way, all of you videos are superb. Many thanks for your work.

[@williammickelson403]

Would love to see more commercial videos in the future

[@firepilot109]

The complex time is the hardest to get since we have single engine Cherokee 6 with fixed gear. I have my complex endorsement but only 4 hours of actual time in a lance. Fly in a twin 441 alot but it doesn't count towards single. Kind of a stupid thing since it's hard to find a single engine complex plane to rent.

[@matthewrammig]

Do the 10 hours of solo time from your private pilot count for commercial?

[@drzoltanvajo142]

Please make one on ATP requirements also! Those are even more confusing.

[@BustaGrill]

Great video! Thank you.

[@miamirules101]

Thanks; very helpful video

[@space1commander]

Thanks for great explanation, I think that I am going Hungry soon!..

[@jetzsetter6205]

Are you going to come out with a commercial course? I’m about to purchase one

[@HarrySingh-pd6lk]

Hi can the long x country be with an instructor? (The 300nm xcountry)

[@aaronvogel6177]

Grannis 2016 for the solo or instructor pic

[@davidrivera7069]

I am currently working on my IFR. If I fly the 300Nm Xc trip solo/PIC during my IFR, will it count towards that commercial requirement to satisfy 61.129.a.4 (i)?

[@The38bigblock]

Does drone time count ?

[@SuperEddietv]

Jeez, what instructor logs or has you log your instrument training under the hood, in your logbook? It's a given but not logged as such. Yep, I looked. My entire instrument training was foggles but no mention. Anybody I talked to says the same. Hmmm........Update: Make sure your simulated column is logged. Duh.....LOL

[@GilACB]

Hello I am working on my commercial certificate under part 61. I have a question. If I do several at one time (staying in the pattern? touch and goes at night at a class D airport with the control tower operating. Would those touch and goes count for the 10 take off and landings requirement?

[@westoneichner8089]

Absolutely

[@GZA036]

Who says a cloud isn't a view-limiting device? LOL. I don't know of any legal interpretation or FAR that actually defines "view-limiting device." True hard IFR is 10x more effective than any hood or foggles. If there was ever an example of following the spirit of the rule....

[@topofthegreen]

You forgot the age 65 rule, you can't fly commercially over 65.

[@equilibrium788]

Yes you can, not at airlines but you can still fly commercially

[@staxats96]

balloons are stupid

[@TheTurbinator]

Why not just take a logbook, a nice pen, a cup of hot chocolate, and just fill whatever made up hours you want? There is nothing stopping anyone.

[@jamespieper9606]

I'll hold your beer cowboy. Can't wait to see how that works out for you!

[@ducky8075]

You can tell when someone’s lying about hours lol, the difference between a 100 hour pilot and a 250 is huge.

[@BlkInc1]

LoL note to self not to board a plane with any pilots named Belmir 😬

[@sigbauer9782]

In foreign countries, the requirements are, "can you say your name?"

[@henrytimpe7644]

would love this exact video for 141

[@johnscarloshow5315]

So does the 2hr XC mean 2 hours to get from A to B, or total of 2 hours including going back home to the starting airport or A to B, back to A

[@thebadgerpilot]

5:15 The legal interpretation appears to be regarding helicopters (the LOI references 61.129(c)(3)(i) which is for a helicopter commercial rating). Logic would say that parallels ASEL, but not all with the FAA is logical. Anything airplane specific on this? Edit to add: I answered my own question and found a subsequent LOI that confirms this applies to all categories, not just helicopters

[@CascadiaAviation]

For 61.129(4)(i) the long XC, my question is do all 3 destinations have to be different? Could I do for example KSQL-KBDN-KRDM-KBDN ?

[@seanramzei3469]

Another great video, I was wondering if u have any video or making one about best way and the most economical way to get to MEI rating rather just going traditional way , thanks

[@ORourkeConor]

For the 2 hr night XC, what if that was done during Instrument training (already a private pilot)?

[@pisymbol]

Needs to be also logged as 135 flight or it doesn’t count. Talk to your CFII.

[@ryanwood74]

Don’t go to U of North Dakota or Embry Riddle

[@randomguywhostoleallofyour88]

How much flight simulator time can I log towards the 250 hour requirement? Can I count the ATD (aviation training device) towards these hours?