Becoming a Newly Rated Commercial Single-Engine Pilot

The climb to commercial ensures you are proficient, knowledgeable, and thorough in your flying.

Richard Donaldson

Wednesday, March 01, 2023 at 06:35 PM ET

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The climb to commercial ensures you are proficient, knowledgeable, and thorough in your flying. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The author recently achieved commercial pilot certification, viewing it as the "apex" of flying knowledge and a crucial step for earning money as a pilot.
The journey to commercial pilot status cost approximately $55,000-$60,000, and the author plans to pursue CFI/MEI ratings to build flight hours and offset future expenses for Part 135 operations.
The article compares Part 61 and Part 141 flight training, recommending Part 61 for its cost-effectiveness and self-paced nature for career-focused individuals, despite Part 141 offering a restricted ATP at fewer hours.
Pilot certifications offer lifetime validity and lead to high-demand job opportunities with significant earning potential in the aviation industry.

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I just passed my commercial single-engine airplane check ride on January 6. I started flying with the initial intent of just passing my private, but got hooked as I progressed. I always have enjoyed teaching as a way of hyper-learning, so I knew I was interested in going the CFI route (I have been a ski & scuba instructor in the past).

My first actual logged lesson was March 31, 2021. I then received my private pilot certification on October 15, 2021, and then went on to complete my instrument rating on August 22, 2022. This was all through Part 61 schools at Leopard Aviation and Scottsdale Executive Flight Training at Scottsdale Airport (KSDL). Most of my instructors came from Part 141 programs.