Commercial Pilot Requirements – Lewistown, Montana

If your goal is to become a professional pilot, the next major step after earning your Private Pilot Certificate is obtaining your Commercial Pilot License (CPL).

At Heading Aviation in Lewistown, MT, we provide structured commercial pilot training designed to prepare you for real-world flying and professional standards under FAA Part 61 regulations.

Below is a breakdown of the FAA commercial pilot requirements for single-engine airplanes.

FAA Commercial Pilot Flight Time Requirements

To qualify for a Commercial Pilot Certificate, you must log at least 250 hours of total flight time as a pilot.

Total Time Requirements Include:

• 100 hours in powered aircraft
• 50 of those hours must be in airplanes

Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Requirements

You must log 100 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time, including:

• 50 hours in airplanes
• 50 hours of cross-country flight time
• At least 10 of those cross-country hours must be in airplanes

Required Commercial Pilot Training (Minimum 20 Hours)

You must receive at least 20 hours of training on the required areas of operation, including:

• 10 hours of instrument training using a view-limiting device
• 10 hours of training in one of the following aircraft types:

Complex airplane
Turbine-powered airplane
Technically Advanced Airplane (TAA)

Important:
Heading Aviation does not currently operate a complex, turbine, or TAA aircraft to complete this specific requirement. We provide trusted recommendations in Montana and surrounding areas to help you fulfill this portion of your training.

Required Commercial Cross-Country Flights

As part of your commercial training, you must complete:

• One 2-hour daytime cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane with a straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original departure point

• One 2-hour nighttime cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane with a straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original departure point

Practical Test Preparation

Within 2 calendar months preceding your commercial pilot checkride, you must complete:

• 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor

This ensures you are fully prepared for the FAA practical test.

Solo / PIC Experience Requirements

You must complete 10 hours of solo flight time (or 10 hours performing PIC duties with an instructor onboard) in a single-engine airplane that includes:

• One cross-country flight of at least 300 nautical miles total distance

Landings at a minimum of three points
One segment must be at least 250 nautical miles straight-line distance

• 5 hours in night VFR conditions

10 takeoffs and 10 landings
Must be conducted at an airport with an operating control tower

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Commercial Pilot License?

The timeline depends on:

• Your current total flight time
• Training frequency
• Montana weather conditions
• Your long-term career goals

Many students build time efficiently through structured cross-country planning and consistent scheduling.