Commercial... here we go! Help and input please

MetalCloud

MetalCloud

Line Up and Wait
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
739
Display Name
Display name:
MetalCloud
So I've decided to do a commercial rating, er, certificate. Not because I plan to fly commercially... there are so many other benefits (required reading, studying, maneuvers, etc etc). Keeps me fresh, adds experience, and dammit I just love flying.

I have instrument rating. Seems like there's a bit of overlap on the knowledge / written stuff.

So my question: what course materials would you all recommend? I just purchased King online (used them for PPL and Instrument). I have the ASA iOS app as well.

What am I missing?
 
Last edited:
The materials you've chosen already should get the job done. Knock out the written first and get it over with.

All of the major brands of study materials all work about equally well.

I'm an ASA guy myself.

I assume the King stuff already has both written prep and oral prep or I'd recommend the ASA Oral Prep Guide. I like their format, and the small physical size of their books, but that's just a preference thing.

Have also used Gleim in the past with no issues.

You'll probably also want something that visualizes the maneuvers required. I have a book here but it's out of print and there's other ones.

And again, the King stuff may include that also -- I don't know their format but they're touted as being "complete" by most folks.

There's piles of YouTube videos of stuff also.
 
Thank you! That was helpful.

Agreed on the ASA oral prep books. Love those! Even though my oral exams were completely different, those are a great prep with tons of good info.

Wasn't sure if I'm missing anything big.

Looks like first class medical isn't required according to 61.123 hmm. I thought it was

I plan to do all most of the flying in my plane, but I'll definitely need some complex time too. Looks as if checkride has to be done in complex as well. Damn. I like flying mine!
 
Last edited:
All you need is third class to take the check ride. To use the privileges of a commercial licens you'll need a second class. The commercial ride is one of the easier ones IMO. It's just fine tuning your flying, make everything smooth, finesse the plane, and command the aircraft. Good luck!
 
MetalCloud said:
I plan to do all most of the flying in my plane, but I'll definitely need some complex time too. Looks as if checkride has to be done in complex as well. Damn. I like flying mine!
Click to expand...
Just need to make it one time around the pattern in a complex to show you can raise and lower the gear. The rest of the ride can be done in a fixed gear aircraft.
 
MetalCloud said:
So I've decided to do a commercial rating, er, certificate. Not because I plan to fly commercially... there are so many other benefits (required reading, studying, maneuvers, etc etc). Keeps me fresh, adds experience, and dammit I just love flying.

I have instrument rating. Seems like there's a bit of overlap on the knowledge / written stuff.

So my question: what course materials would you all recommend? I just purchased King online (used them for PPL and Instrument). I have the ASA iOS app as well.

What am I missing?
Click to expand...

Commercial is a very straightforward certificate to achieve. You can pick the study guide of your choice -- it's personal preference only.
 
You can also look at the ACS for Commercial and it will have references listed of items to study. But all that's been mentioned above will get 'er done. Good luck!
 
mscard88 said:
You can also look at the ACS for Commercial and it will have references listed of items to study. But all that's been mentioned above will get 'er done. Good luck!
Click to expand...

You made me look it up, but the commercial practical is still using the PTS. Only private, instrument, and sUAS has switched to the ACS.
 
Soldier64 said:
You made me look it up, but the commercial practical is still using the PTS. Only private, instrument, and sUAS has switched to the ACS.
Click to expand...

Correct. Sorry about that. They (FAA) still working on the Commercial ACS.
 
mscard88 said:
Correct. Sorry about that. They (FAA) still working on the Commercial ACS.
Click to expand...

Side comment: And other stuff. Anyone want to place money bets on how freaking large the CFI ACS book is when they get it done many years from now? LOL. Yuuuuge.
 
If you are going to hold the title of a professional pilot, you should be able to answer these questions yourself.

You also are going to raise the expectations of yourself, CFIs/FAA will expect more from a CPL than a PPL.
 
James331 said:
If you are going to hold the title of a professional pilot, you should be able to answer these questions yourself.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the non-answer ... though I understand your point now that I actually think about it. lol

I had already purchased materials. The reason I started the thread is that maybe someone else can also benefit from a discussion.

You also are going to raise the expectations of yourself, CFIs/FAA will expect more from a CPL than a PPL.
Click to expand...

I'm totally down with this. One thing about me is that I always move my own finish line. lol. Sometimes I definitely put too high expectations on myself, which is ok. It's my nature and it has served me well. I don't mind having others (CFI/FAA) hold me to a higher standard because I think it'll just make me better and safer.

I actually think I was overthinking the CPL... it's not really *that* intensive, especially just coming off my IFR.

But that's a good point. I hadn't really thought of it from that perspective. But I'm cool with it. See? I'm glad I started the thread :)
 
Ok

The CPL is basically a overblown PPL, ground is like 80% log book audit to verify the hours and then 10% about the airplanes systems, and 10% on what you can AND CANT do as a CPL.

This is one of the few rides, if you're up on your PPL knowledge, that you could just read the FAR on CPL and the planes POH and be fine.

As for the air work, get visualized flight maneuvers ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/156027521...v-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380549 ) and the PTS, go up with a CFI and have them show you the maneuvers, then kick them out and just go hammer it out yourself.
 
@James331 Thanks! Ordered.

Yeah it seems like the written will be mostly review. I can hopefully knock that out quickly.

The log book will be interesting. I recently moved to electronic log book. For a while I was duplicating everything into the paper one. I'm wondering if it's worth the time and effort to manually enter my previous paper entries to the EFB. It sure would make IACRA easier.
 
To add on to what @James331 already said (which is spot on), KISS. Don't over think the entire process and you'll do just fine. I just completed (and passed) my CPL ASEL check ride back on 17 Dec. Did the test with a DPE based out of Truckee. Spent 2.5 hours doing paperwork, logbook review, and oral then 1.7 hours in the plane doing all of the maneuvers.

FWIW, I used Gleim and found the package to be worth it. Really can't go wrong with any of the products out there though.

Cheers,
Brian
 
MetalCloud said:
@James331 Thanks! Ordered.

Yeah it seems like the written will be mostly review. I can hopefully knock that out quickly.

The log book will be interesting. I recently moved to electronic log book. For a while I was duplicating everything into the paper one. I'm wondering if it's worth the time and effort to manually enter my previous paper entries to the EFB. It sure would make IACRA easier.
Click to expand...

Glad it helped, that book is really one of the better books for VFR flight training.

As for the logs, don't worry about it, as long as you have the required fights you're fine.

All the way to my CPL I was on one paper log book, about 100ish hrs post CPL I made a electronic log, forwarded my times over and have been using that ever since.

I've been through a few rides with my logs, ATP, company check rides and a couple job interviews, I just have my electronic log printed up and spiral bound, bring that with my original logbook, everyone's been happy with that.
 
Clark1961 said:
Just need to make it one time around the pattern in a complex to show you can raise and lower the gear. The rest of the ride can be done in a fixed gear aircraft.
Click to expand...
That is what I thought too. But, when I took my ride, the DPE had me complete the soft field takeoff & landing, and the power off 180 in the complex, as well as a normal t/o & landing. Had never practiced the other two in complex but somehow passed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top