what are the eligibility requirements for a commercial pilot (airplane) certificate?

• 18 years old
• English
• at least a private pilot's license
• at least a 3rd class medical certificate
• ground/flight training endorsements
• aeronautical experience requirements
• pass knowledge/practical tests

what privileges apply to a commercial pilot?

• carry people or property for compensation or hire

• for compensation or hire

explain the statement 'may not pay less than pro-rata share of the operating expenses of a flight.”

• pro-rata = proportional
• fuel, oil, rental fees must be shared proportionally

to act as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft, what must a pilot have in his/her physical possession or readily accessible in
the aircraft?

• pilot certificate
• photo ID (driver's license and/or passport)
• medical certificate

you have not kept up with logging each of your recent flights. are you in violation of any regulation?

• no
• only required to document/ or record training and experience for a certificate, rating, or flight review

does a flight review require an endorsement?

• yes – 61.56(a) and (c)

what is the definition of a high performance airplane, and what must you do to act as pilot-in-command of such an airplane?

• airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower

• to act as PIC:
◦ received/logged ground and flight training from an authorized CFI in a high-performance airplane, simulator, FTD
◦ found proficient in the operation and systems of that airplane
◦ one-time endorsement in your logbook

what is the definition of a complex airplane, and what must you do to act as pilot-in-command of such an airplane?

• retractable landing gear, flaps, constant speed propeller

◦ including airplanes equipped with engine control systems – FADEC (full authority digital engine control)
• to act as PIC:
◦ received/logged ground and flight training from an authorized CFI in a complex airplane
◦ one-time endorsement in your logbook

can you fly a tailwheel airplane?

• no – you must have a tailwheel endorsement

◦ you must receive and log ground/flight training
◦ you must receive a one-time endorsement from a CFI

with respect to certification, privileges, and limitations of airmen, define the terms 'category,' 'class,' and 'type'

• category – broad classification of aircraft (airplane, rotorcraft, glider, lighter-than-air, etc)

• class – classification within category having similar operating characteristics (ASEL, AMEL, ASES, AMES)
• type – specific make, model (Boeing 737, C172, DC-9) – maximum gross weight over 12,500 lbs

how will establishing a personal minimums checklist reduce risk?

• written set of personal minimums is important

• decide on a smart go/no go, diversion decision, crosswinds, weather, cancel your flight – safety is key
• look for a reason to not fly – ever had to make an emergency takeoff?

explain the difference between being 'current' and being 'proficient.'

• current
◦ completed minimum FAA regulatory requirements within a specific time period
◦ you are legal, but not necessarily proficient/competent
• proficient
◦ capable of conducting flight with competence (wide range of knowledge/skill and experience)
◦ not just legal, but smart and safe

should you fly an airplane you are not familiar with (avionics, constant-speed propeller)?

• pilot familiarity = safety and efficiency

• being unfamiliar will add to workload (loss of SA)
• being unfamiliar is a hazard with high risk potential

your allergies are giving you a problem and you have just taken medication. can you still fly? explain.

• only one answer = talk to your AME

• safest rule – don't fly when taking medication (unless approved by your AME)
• OTC drugs can cause side affects (drowsiness and cognitive deficits)
where can you find a list of the medical conditions that may disqualify you from obtaining a medical certificate?

• 14 CFR Part 61 (certification)

• 14 CFR Part 67 (medical standards and certification)
◦ ear, eyes, nose, throat, equilibrium, mental, neurological, cardiovascular (8)
• 15 disqualifying conditions
◦ angina pectoris, diabetes, myocardial infarction, epilepsy, psychosis, etc

how can you obtain a medical certificate in the event of a possible medical deficiency?

• special issuance / SODA (statement of demonstrated ability) – 67.401

• disqualifying condition is static and non-progressive
• no expiration date if the condition doesn't get worse

you discover you have high blood pressure. you have your current medical certificate. can you continue to exercise the privileges of your
certificate?

• no – can't perform crewmember duties with a known medical condition

• consult your AME before flying again

what is BasicMed?

• privilege – fly without a medical certificate (and fly IFR, too)

◦ held a medical certificate that was valid after 2006
◦ must complete medical examination course
◦ medical examination every 4 years
◦ new rule in 2017
• limitations
◦ no more than 6 people
◦ 6,000 lbs weight limit
◦ no higher than 18,000'
◦ no faster than 250 kts

what are the 3 definitions of night?

• logging night time – end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight
◦ civil twilight = sun is 6° below the horizon
• navigation lights on – sunset to sunrise
• night currency – 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise

what are temporary disqualifications for flying with a medical deficiency?

• medical certificate is self-regulating

• can't fly if you know that you have a medical condition that makes you unable to meet the requirements for a medical certificate

what is a ramp inspection?

• must present your pilot's certificate, medical certificate, and license to any Administrator, authorized NTSB representative, any
federal, state, or local law enforcement officer

is a commercial pilot required to log all flight time?

• yes, to meet requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review

can a commercial pilot carry a passenger in an aircraft operated in formation flight?

• can't fly in formation flight carrying passengers

can a commercial pilot carry passengers in a restricted, limited, or experimental category aircraft?

• can't carry persons or property for hire operating a restricted, limited, or experimental category aircraft

when may a commercial pilot log flight time as second-in-command time?

• must occupy a crewmember station that requires more than one pilot
• must hold appropriate category, class, and rating (if required) for the aircraft being flown

when would a commercial pilot be required to hold a type rating? (61.31)

• large aircraft (gross weight over 12,500 pounds)

• turbojet-powered airplanes
• other aircraft issued by the Administrator with type certificate procedures

what class of medical certificate is required for commercial pilots?

• second-class medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot

how long is a second-class medical certificate good for?

• expires the end of the last day of the 12th month

what happens if your medical certificate expires?

• it is still a medical certificate, but the class and privileges expire

as a commercial pilot, you obtain a job flying freight at night. does your night currency count towards your currency to carry passengers
during the day?

• yes – provided landings at night were done within the preceding 90 days (same category, class, rating if required)

what are the requirements to remain current as a commercial pilot?

• flight review in the last 24 calendar months

• logbook endorsement
• to carry passengers – 3 takeoffs and 3 landings within 90 days
◦ tailwheel must be to a full stop
◦ night landings to a full stop – 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise – night landing current to carry passengers

can a pilot with a commercial certificate and multi-engine land rating carry passengers in a single-engine airplane?

• no, unless the pilot holds a category, class, and type rating (if required) that applies to the aircraft

if you lose your pilot certificate or it is destroyed, what can you do to continue exercising the privileges of your certificate?

• application for the replacement of you lost or destroyed certificate

• send a letter to the Department of Transportation, FAA
• can get a document for temporary authority to exercise your privileges (can carry this up to 60 days)
to act as PIC of a pressurized aircraft, what flight experience requirements must be met?

• aircraft that has a service ceiling or maximum operation altitude, whichever lower, above 25,000' MSL
• received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized flight instructor
◦ ground training – high altitude aerodynamics, meteorology, respiration, hypoxia, etc
◦ flight training in a pressurized aircraft, flight simulator, training device
• found proficient in the operation and systems of a pressurized aircraft
◦ normal cruise flight above 25,000' MSL, emergency procedures for rapid decompression, emergency descent procedures
• one-time endorsement in your logbook

what limitation is imposed on a newly certificated commercial airplane pilot if that person does not hold an instrument rating?

• pilot must hold an instrument rating in the same category and class or
• commercial pilot certificate can be issued and endorsed with a limitation prohibiting the following:
◦ carrying passengers for hire on cross-country flights in excess of 50 NM
◦ carrying passengers for hire at night

per part 119.1(e), what are your commercial pilot privileges?

• local scenic flights within 25 SM of departure airport

• ferry flights
• crop dusting
• banner towing
• aerial photography
• fire fighting

briefly describe 14 CFR Parts 117, 119, 121, 125, 135, 136, and 137 – do not memorize these; just be aware of them

• part 117 – flight and duty limitations and rest requirements: flight crewmembers
• part 119 – certification: air carriers and commercial operators
• part 121 – operating requirements: domestic, flag, and supplemental operations
• part 125 – certification and operations: airplanes having a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload
capacity of 6,000 pounds or more
• part 135 – operating requirements: commuter and on-demand operations
• part 136 – commercial air tours and national parks air tour management
• part 137 – agricultural aircraft operations

who's responsibility is it to determine which type of certificate (air carrier certificate, air taxi commercial operator certificate) is required for
operation?

• operator – you
• there is a difference:
◦ acting as PIC of an aircraft
◦ acting as a commercial operator of an aircraft (you have an operator's license)

if you can't determine which type of certificate is required for operation, what should you do?

• contact the local FSDO

• contact an aviation lawyer

for you to work for an air carrier under parts 119, 121, or 135, what certificate do you need?

• air carrier certificate (operator's license)

if you provide the aircraft, are you still operating under part 91 to “fly someone to Atlanta?”

• no – you must have an air taxi commercial operator certificate (operator's license) under part 135

can you fly someone for compensation or hire who provides their own aircraft?

• yes – if they find you (you are not “holding out”)

• you still need to determine which type of certificate is required for operation

define the term 'common carriage' / 'common carrier'

• carrying passengers or cargo as a result of advertising to the public

• requires either an air carrier certificate or a commercial operating certificate
• your certificate will be issued under part 119 and the airplane will operate under part 121 or 135
• you are a 'common carrier' when you 'hold yourself out' (advertising) to the public willing to provide transportation to people
• 4 elements:
◦ a holding out or a willingness to
◦ transport persons or property
◦ from place to place
◦ for compensation

define 'holding out'

• offering to the public carriage of persons and property for hire either intrastate or interstate
• signs and advertising are the most direct means of holding out
• can be done through agents, agencies, or salesmen – obtain passenger traffic from the general public and collect them into
groups to be carried by the operator
• holding out without advertising, yet gaining a reputation to 'serve all – enough to carry all customers
• common carrier – carrying only certain kinds of traffic

define the term 'private carriage' / 'private carrier'

• carriage for hire that does not involve holding out is 'private carriage' (you are not advertising your services)
• private carriage for hire has selected customers generally on a long-term basis (but can't have too many contracts)
◦ a large number of contracts might show that you are willing to carry anyone
◦ then the FAA will label you as a common carrier and shut down your operation
• a private carrier still needs an air carrier or operating certificate that will depend on the type of operation conducted and the size
of the airplane

how does the FAA define a common carrier?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alo1bVLLe6k (Google How the FAA Defines a Common Carrier)

• Congress never determined the term “common carrier”
• so the FAA defined and redefined the term over the years – what is the definition of a common carrier?
• 1986, FAA issued AC 120-12A

determine if either of the following two scenarios are common carriage operations and, if so, why?

• scenario 1 – I am a local businessman and require a package to be flown to a distant destination ASAP. I will pay you to fly my
airplane to deliver this package.
◦ scenario 1 is private carriage
◦ the customer provides the airplane
• scenario 2 – I am a local businessman and require a package to be flown to a distant destination ASAP. You reply that you can
do the job for a fee. You promptly line up a local rental aircraft you're checked out in and deliver the package.
◦ scenario 2 is common carriage operation – you are holding out by indicating a general willingness to all customers; a
contract is made to transport persons or property for compensation; you are providing the airplane
you are a commercial pilot and you are wearing your pilot uniform. a person approaches you and offers you to fly his airplane with his
family. can you legally get paid for the flight?

• yes – the pilot is merely offering his services as a pilot – this requires no operating certificate
• you are not the operator of the airplane – you are only getting paid for “pilot services”
• the operator, the passenger, is the owner of the aircraft and he is not carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire
• if the pilot had to provide the airplane, he would be acting as an “air carrier” and must hold an air carrier certificate

you work as an airline pilot and privately own two small aircraft (less than 5 seats and less than 6,000 pounds of payload capacity) for
your personal use. a close friend of yours is asking if you could help him transport two employees of his company two days a week on a
monthly basis. these two gentlemen are salesmen of a medical supplies company. you will be compensated for the operation. what
operational certificate will be required for this job and what rules will the operator follow?
• private carriage operating certificate is required and operations are conducted under part 135
• is the owner of the airplane the operator of the aircraft? – yes
• are persons or property being carried for compensation or hire? – yes
• did the operator, the pilot, “hold out” to the public? – no
• are the airplanes being used carry more than 20 passengers or weigh more than 6,000 lbs? – no

when may a pilot use BasicMed when flying with their commercial privileges?

• pilots may not use BasicMed to fly with their commercial privileges

does a commercial pilot certificate have a specific expiration date?

• no, it is issued without a specific expiration date

when is a pilot in command required to hold a type rating?

• aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight

what limitation is imposed on a newly certificated commercial pilot – airplane, if that person does not hold an instrument rating? the
carriage of passengers

• for hire on cross-country flights in excess of 50 NM, or for hire at night is prohibited

you are the PIC carrying passengers back from a football game. one appears to be intoxicated. can you carry that passenger?

• no, you may not carry an intoxicated passenger

you are giving sightseeing flights for a charitable organization at an airshow. what authorization is required?

• no authorization is required, but you do need to notify the local FSDO

a newly certified commercial pilot has decided to create a small business flying Christmas light tours during the season. the tours will fly
over the city at night. what certifications are required?

• apply for a certificate from a FSDO

what type of operation, not regulated by 14 CFR part 119, may a commercial pilot act as pilot in command and receive compensation for
a service?

• nonstop flights within a 25 SM radius of an airport to carry persons for intentional parachute jump