Commercial License

Scott Sherer

Hi everyone,
After countless decades I've decided to get my Commercial license. I've just passed the commercial written exam using the King Schools course materials but I haven't started on the flight side yet. I hope to line up an instructor very soon. At age 65 this is very challenging but I'm making it happen. Have you recently gotten a new license or rating? If so, chime in, I'd like to hear about your experiences.

Best regards,
Scott Sherer
Moderator

Scott Sherer

I've taken another baby step forward. After passing the written using the King Schools commercial written course, I've started the King School commercial practical course. I'm about 2/3 of the way through and today I started flight training with my new instructor, Paul Aydt of Spring City Aviation at Burlington Airport (BUU) in Wisconsin. After four months of cloudless skies and perfect weather it got gray, overcast, rainy and misty and generally IFR. Of course, I scheduled flight training! Anyway, we did ground school instead, which is preparation for the commercial oral exam using the Practical Test Standards or PTS from the FAA. This complemented my King practical test perfectly. We're going to try flying again tomorrow.

Scott Sherer

November 17, about four months after starting my commercial training I passed the practical test and am now a freshly minted Commercial multi-engine pilot. I used the King Commercial written and practical courses (two courses) that were excellent. I had 30 landings, 15 accelerated stalls, countless 50 degree banked turns, emergency descents at four thousand feet per minute (my instructor said "gee, I smell smoke..."), 15 engine failures at altitude and while shooting gps approaches, short field takeoff's and landings, all in my twin. I flew at 8am most days and looked at King videos over and over again in the afternoons. I'm done, I earned it and best of all, I'm a much better pilot. Thank you to Paul Aydt at Spring City Aviation (my instructor) and Tom Boyer (my DPE).

Goshawkt45

Thanks for the postings, and Congratulations!

Scott Sherer

Thanks so much! BTW, what's your first name?

Garyvan Dyke

Congratulations Scott.
It’s nice to know it’s never too late.
Gary

Scott Sherer

It was a great experience. Last winter I started on my ATP and we'll see if I make any progress on the written test this winter. I put about 75 hours of study on the 1200 question ATP pool before I burned out. I may try it again in January

Kentwkalb

You gentleman are to be commended! The time and commitment towards more experience and ratings is a testament to the saying, “You never stop learning!”

Scott Sherer

Thanks Kent,
The ATP written is a bear. A 1200 question pool. I reached about 800 questions and couldn't retain anymore. I'm hoping to try again with a different learning philosophy. Stay tuned!

Ghdgrowit

Hi Scott, well iam 69 and working on my commerical license also. I have been flying private for 20 years for my company. Recently I sold my plane to my company and wanted to be sure now when I fly employees to projects etc. That I operate from the commerical side of my license and get paid actually. I know what you mean about challenging to do all the intense studying.
Good Luck!!

Scott Sherer

Thanks so much!

WBArthur

Finding a complex plane to get the time in is surprisingly difficult. Even some flight schools don't have them, but I was trying to stay part 61.

tbraeunig

Does the commercial pilot certificate require training in a complex or high-performance airplane, or can it all be done in a 172?

My grandson is about to complete his instrument rating, and his likely next step would be commercial. He might have access to a flight instructor with a 182.

MikeJJ

Hi tbraeunig,

If the 172 was equipped with all the avionics of a Technically Advanced airplane, it would qualify.

14CFR part 61.129 (a)(3)(ii) requires 10 hours of training in "a complex airplane, a turbine-powered airplane, or a technically advanced airplane (TAA) that meets the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section, or any combination thereof."

So, if the 182 is an RG model (retractable gear), or, if it had the avionics as specified in paragraph (j) of that section, it would qualify even if it did not have retractable gear.

A great site for checking the most recent FAA regulations on pilot certification is:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61

Regards,

Mike

tbraeunig

Thanks Mike,

Well, neither my 172 or the 182 meets the requirements, so I guess he'll be staying with his flight school. The 172 he's flying now does meet the requirements.