Commercial VS Private Pilot: What Sets Them Apart?
By Jordan Bullock, CFI & Boeing 737 Pilot
Becoming a Private Pilot is the first step in an exhilarating career. Or, it's the biggest hurdle for pure hobbyists that just want to fly on the weekends and take their families on vacations.
The journey from learning to fly for fun to getting paid to fly professionally starts with understanding the differences between a commercial vs private pilot license.
While both are serious achievements, let's take a look at the differences between the two ratings, both from a skillset standpoint and from what the license enables you to do. Let's dig in!
Note: For clarification purposes, this article discusses the actual Commercial Pilot rating, not specifically being a Commercial pilot for an airline.
Commercial vs Private Pilot License: The Core Differences
Every pilot starts with a private pilot's license. It’s the most accessible way to enter aviation. It offers enough freedom to fly with friends and family or go on solo getaways. However, once flying becomes more than a personal hobby, the next step is the commercial pilot license: your ticket to earning income as a pilot.
This section breaks down the key differences in expectations, training, and privileges between the two.
Skillset and Checkride Standards
The ACS (Airmen Certification Standards) dictates that a specific rating’s checkride will be conducted. A little caveat for CFIs here; it is the responsibility of the CFI to make sure each student is proficient in each category of the ACS, not just what they think the examiner will ask.
Within the ACS, you have different categories. Each category has both a knowledge requirement and a maneuver requirement, although some categories are solely maneuver-based. Each maneuver has limitations as well, for example: Airspeed must be + or - 5 knots, bank angle must be within a certain degree setting, and altitude needs to be + or - 100’, etc...
The Commercial ACS has much stricter limitations and more difficult maneuvers in comparison to the Private Pilot ACS. So, for the checkride, the Commercial applicant is held to a much higher standard on some of the same maneuvers, as well as requiring more challenging maneuvers.
For example, both checkrides require steep turns to be done. The Commercial rating requires steep turns to be conducted at 60 degrees of bank, while the Private Pilot license only requires 45 degrees of bank to be attained. You can also expect the Commercial oral to be more in-depth. What about the actual pilot, though? How do they differ at the two different rating levels?
From my instructing experience, pilots with their Commercial rating are usually more standardized, more confident, and more knowledgeable. It makes sense, right? Usually, they have much more experience. Private pilots, and by no means is this a knock or criticism, are in the beginning phase of this industry. Sure, you have private pilots who have hundreds, even thousands, of hours. But a Commercial pilot usually has much more time with an instructor on board, teaching them and critiquing them.
Privileges and Limitations
The commercial vs private pilot comparison becomes even clearer when you look at what each rating legally allows you to do. With any new license/rating, you gain new privileges. Once you obtain your private pilot license, you can fly around with your friends and family. Sure, they can help split some costs. But you can’t get paid for being a pilot.
As a Private Pilot, people flying with you can help split the costs, but only on a pro rata basis. However, you can NOT be paid for your service. But that will change!
Once you pass your commercial checkride, your world opens up! You can officially receive income as a paid pilot. It's a milestone and one of the greatest parts of being in aviation. While there are certain restrictions regarding how operations are conducted (remember, you can sell yourself OR your plane, not both), in the simplest terms, you’re now legal to make money as a pilot.
As a commercial pilot, you have many restrictions to abide by, and these are spelled out in the FAR/AIM. For example, you’re not allowed to advertise your service. This is a popular oral check ride question and one every commercial pilot is familiar with. An example I use is this: if you’re at a local coffee shop and you overhear someone talking about wanting to take a private plane down to the Bahamas, can you intervene and offer your service?
Well, you are a commercial pilot, so you are legal to receive monetary compensation when acting as a pilot. However, in this example, these are complete strangers, so this would count as advertising. It’s murky waters when you get into these types of regulations, so I advise all my students to ensure they’re legal and really get a good grasp on the FAR/AIM regulations pertaining to commercial pilot privileges.
Real-World Value and Professional Growth
Achieving either your private or your commercial rating is a huge step in your aviation career. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an aspiring airline pilot, knowing the difference and expectations between the two ratings is a must. At Northstar Aviation References, we help pilots through their commercial vs private pilot journey.
While being a private pilot is the first step, becoming a commercial pilot is a nice level up and a way to really become an aviation expert. As always, I urge everyone to challenge themselves and expand their knowledge. By striving for and achieving a commercial rating, you’re doing just that!
By Jordan Bullock, CFI & Boeing 737 Pilot
Northstar Aviation References brings you the Pre-Tabbed ASA FAR/AIM, DIY tabs for your FAR/AIM and other pilot resources so that you can more easily study the regulations that form the foundation of your flying career or hobby. Have any questions? Check out our FAQs page or contact us. Check out other blog posts here.