Becoming a Commercial Pilot

[rajsingh]

I was interested in knowing the benefits of becoming a commercial pilot for somebody who won't use the license for his career. I am getting my instrument rating and as of right now I have no plans of becoming a career pilot. But what are the benefits of becoming a commercial pilot. I know instrument rating is a whole new world of flying, but what about getting your commercial license. All I have heard was that you do more maneuvers than a private pilot, you actually do spin, and you are more accurate because your altitude can only be plus or minus 25 feet. But what is so different about it?

 

[Killtron2000]

CFI's have to do a spin but a commercial doesn't the FAA only requires +/- 50 feet on slow flight everything else is +/- 100. As far as a career the license would help you work with the FAA or as an aviation attorney, ATC or whatever. If this is just for profiency there really isn't anything new on the commercial you would probably get more out of an aerobatics course and it would be more fun.

 

[welle036]

Landing standards are more strict. Short field had to be within 100 feet of your spot, which for the thousand foot markers(150ft long) is the first two thirds of them. It is pretty difficult and teaches to integrate flying by the numbers and the feel in the seat of your pants to set it down in that tight of a spot. The power-off 180 really helped for estimating glide distance and made me a lot more comfortable in a engine out emergency, where basically once you get it to 1000agl the sight picture was so ingrained in my head I had a lot easier time getting it down to my spot.

 

[BajtheJino]

Cheaper insurance.

 

[Goldmember]

Getting a commercial license is another challenge for people who have the hours. I see lots of folks who just want to push themselves for the achievement. Plus its a lot of fun.

 

[esa17]

Cheaper insurance.

Actually, the CPL doesn't really do all that much for your insurance. The only things that really made a difference for my insurance were my IFR and passing 500 hours.

Here is the best reason to earn your CPL: It will make you a better pilot.

You will perform to a higher standard which is something that we all should aspire to do.

Your family, and the rest of us, will thank you for not allowing yourself to become complacent.

 

[escapepilot]

IMO there is no benefit to a commercial ticket if you have no intentions of using it. Want to be a better pilot, then by all means practice the maneuvers w/ a CFI and/or get some aerobatic time or glider time. Paying for a checkride and filling in boxes has no benefit to your skills. You can get the same benefits w/o the test/checkride expense if you really want it.

 

[AviatorGator]

I think it's a great idea. A CPL will help out with your insurance down the road. It will also challenge you a little more and make you a better pilot. You also don't know what you'll be doing down the road; it certainly won't hurt anything.

The single engine commercial is also one of the most enjoyable flying checkrides that you'll do.

 

[MFT1Air]

Interesting that this particular question came up. . .I was reading this month's "Flying" magazine where one of the contributing editors who has over 4000 hours total time, plenty of both multi and turbine time wanted to also gain that additional rating. To be honest, I always assumed (now incorrectly) that the person had the commercial rating.

Continuous improvement is always (or should be) a goal and desire for all pilots, but yes. . .the question of what added value for attaining a commercial rating is now an excellent question I hope can be fully addressed on this thread.