Part 61 Commercial Pilot Requirements
Paragon Flight makes it faster and cheaper than other flight schools to meet the requirements to become a commercial pilot since we’re a Part 61 and Part 141 authorized flight school. In particular, we now offer the accelerated P3 Professional Pilot Program.
Jobs for Commercial Pilots
Pilots are necessary for a variety of industries. While the pinnacle of aviation jobs is probably sitting in the captain’s seat of a major airliner, many pilots prefer more home time, flexibility, or a different sense of purpose. Examples of pilot positions in addition to airline pilots include mail or cargo carriers, surveyors, governmental pilots, journalistic pilots, agricultural pilots, medic pilots, firefighter pilots, corporate pilots, charter or private pilots, and tourism pilots.
As a pilot, you can expect adventure, ever-changing challenges, and a beautiful perspective from your office daily.
Of course, you should also expect to work. The duties of the job will include pre and post-inspections of the aircraft; planning the route in consideration of weather and fuel requirements; communicating with tower personnel, staff, and passengers; navigating and operating the aircraft; monitoring and responding to the plane throughout the flight; smooth and safe takeoff and landing; and filing the appropriate paperwork for each flight.
The salary you earn as a pilot will depend on the role, the type of aircraft flown, the time spent with the company, and the employer in question. The outlook for pilots is reasonably open, with entry-level salaries now reaching $80,000/year. With experience and effort, a captain’s salary can top $280,000/year.
Steps to Become a Commercial Pilot through the P3 Program
- Private Pilot License (PPL) Weeks 0-10
- Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) Weeks 11-18
- Commercial License, Single-Engine, and Multi-Engine (CSEL and CMEL) Weeks 19-30
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Weeks 31-38
As you can see from this timeline, the faint of heart need not apply. This program is for the available, dedicated, ambitious pilot candidate who’s in it wholeheartedly. Consider the following prerequisites as you prepare to apply for participation:
- 18-year-old minimum
- High school diploma or GED with some college preferred
- Character references – one personal and one professional
- Clean driving record
- Clean criminal background check
- Pass a cognitive and behavioral measurement
- Clean FAA record
- First Class FAA Medical Certificate
- Able to read, write, speak, and understand English
- Full-time availability (4-5 flight lessons and 10-20 hours of ground training each week)
- Integrity, ambition, drive, and dedication
The college experience you bring to your resume as a pilot can help you stand out as a strong candidate. Load up on physical sciences, math, geography, and languages to excel in your future career.
Affording your training is often one of the most significant impediments to becoming a commercial pilot. If this challenge affects you, reach out to our team. We have years of experience, relationships, and insight that can help students access resources like student loans, scholarships, grants, personal loans, or other financing sources.
Florida’s beautiful weather is one of the highlights of our program, even though we have no control over it! We enjoy 350-plus days of ideal conditions for takeoff and landing each year as well as easy access to a tower-controlled runway and several practice airfields. Other flight schools are hampered by days when flight practice isn’t possible, but that trouble rarely darkens our door.
Make your dreams of being a commercial pilot a reality by meeting all requirements in a shortened time frame with a Part 61 or 141 program here at Paragon Flight! Book a consultation today by contacting us online or calling (239)747-0056.
