Elevate Your Career with Echelon Flight

Ready to turn your passion into a profession? Our FAA-compliant Commercial Pilot Course is designed for private pilots aiming for the skies. Gain expertise in complex aircraft and commercial maneuvers.

FAA Eligibility & Legal Requirements

To qualify for a Commercial Pilot License, candidates must have completed a total of 250 flight hours. This includes 100 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC) and a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flight time.

0 Total Hours

For a Commercial Pilot License, according to FAR standards, you must accumulate a total of 250 flight hours to be eligible before you can proceed to the checkride.

0 PIC

You need 100 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC), including 50 hours of cross-country PIC time as per FAR §61.129(a)(3)(i).

0 Dual Training

You must complete 20 hours of flight training with an instructor, including day and night operations, plus 10 hours in a complex or technically advanced aircraft, as required by FAR §61.129(a)(3).

0 NM

You’ll need to complete a 300 NM cross-country flight with landings at 3 points. The first leg must be at least 250 NM in a straight line from the departure point to the first landing. The remaining distance can be covered in any direction to meet the 300 NM total.

Your Step-by-Step Instrument Rating Training

1. Review Remaining Hour Requirements


As per FAR §61.129, you need:

  • 250 total hours

    → So you need 100 more hours

  • Out of 250 hours, you must have:

    • 100 hours PIC (you likely already have most of this)

    • 50 hours cross-country PIC

    • 20 hours of flight training (dual)

      • Includes night flying, instrument, and complex aircraft

    • 10 hours of solo or PIC in commercial maneuvers

    • 10 hours in complex or TAA aircraft

✅ Action:

  • Log your current totals and plan gaps (use a flight log summary)

2. Enroll in a Commercial Training Program

  • Choose between Part 61 (more flexible) or Part 141 (structured, fewer hours required)

  • Your program will include:

    • Ground school (commercial knowledge test prep)

    • Flight training in advanced/commercial maneuvers

    • Time-building flights to meet hour minimums

✅ Action:

  • Sign up with your flight school and begin commercial ground school

3. Complete Ground School + FAA Written Test

  • Subjects include:

    • Aerodynamics

    • Systems

    • Regulations (Part 61, 91)

    • Performance and planning

  • Take and pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test (written)

✅ Action:

  • Schedule and pass the written exam (minimum 70% score)

Solo PIC Cross-Country (50 hrs required prior to IR checkride)

4. Log Complex/TAA Aircraft Time

  • You need 10 hours in a Complex or Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA)

  • A TAA typically includes:

    • Digital PFD/MFD

    • GPS with moving map

    • Autopilot

✅ Action:

  • Schedule 10 hours in TAA or complex aircraft like Cessna 172 with G5 and Garmin 375

5. Complete Dual Flight Training (20 hours)

Must include:

  • 10 hours of instrument training (can count some from IR if under Part 61)

  • 5 hours night VFR with 10 takeoffs/landings

  • Cross-country flight (300 NM total with one leg ≥250 NM)

  • Training in commercial maneuvers:

    • Chandelles

    • Lazy eights

    • Steep spirals

    • Power-off 180s

    • Eights on pylons

✅ Action:

  • Schedule lessons to master required maneuvers with your CFI

6. Solo / PIC Maneuvers Practice (10 hours)

  • Practice commercial maneuvers solo or PIC under supervision

  • Use this time to refine skill, confidence, and precision

✅ Action:

  • Fly solo or act as PIC while practicing checkride maneuvers

8. Take Your FAA Checkride

  • Conducted by a DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner)

  • Two parts:

    • Oral exam (~1.5–2 hours)

    • Practical flight test (~1.5–2.5 hours)

  • Demonstrate commercial-level knowledge, planning, and maneuver execution

✅ Action:

  • Pass the checkride and earn your Commercial Pilot Certificate!