03 / Commercial Pilot Certificate
Commercial pilot license in Chandler, AZ
The certificate that lets you get paid to fly. Build your hours affordably and earn your commercial out of Chandler Municipal Airport. Estimated $12,480. Zero to commercial for under $40,000.
Turn flying into a profession
A commercial pilot certificate allows you to fly for compensation or hire. It's the foundation for becoming a flight instructor, flying aerial work and charter, and ultimately building the experience the airlines require.
Most of the commercial cost is hour building. We keep that affordable by letting you split time with another pilot, so you reach the FAA's 250-hour minimum without paying big-school prices. Large academies often charge $100,000 or more for the same path; with Chi-Rho Aviation, private through commercial is estimated at $39,945.
FAA requirements (14 CFR 61.123 & 61.129)
- 18Minimum ageAnd hold at least a private pilot certificate. An instrument rating is strongly recommended; without it, commercial privileges are restricted.
- 250Hours total flight timeIncluding 100 hours as pilot in command, 50 of them cross-country.
- 20Hours of commercial trainingWith an instructor, covering the commercial areas of operation, including instrument, cross-country, and night flying.
- 2ndClass medicalNeeded to exercise commercial privileges. A first-class medical is required later for airline captains.
- 2FAA testsCommercial knowledge test and practical test (checkride).
See 14 CFR 61.129 for the complete list of aeronautical experience requirements. We'll map out exactly what you still need based on your logbook.
Itemized estimate
Commercial single-engine.
Time building (splitting time) makes up most of the commercial program, and it's where Chi-Rho saves you the most money.
| Item | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane rentalFuel included | $2,600 | ||
| Dual instruction | $1,200 | ||
| Ground instruction | $480 | ||
| Time building (splitting time) | $6,650 | ||
| Practical and written test | $1,500 | ||
| Online ground school | $50 | ||
| Grand total | $12,480 | ||
Optional add-on
Multi-engine rating.
Add a commercial multi-engine (CMEL) rating, which most airline-bound pilots need. One flat-rate course plus your practical test.
| Item | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Flat rate for CMEL course | $5,500 | |
| Practical test | $1,000 | |
| Grand total | $6,500 | |
Beyond commercial
Become a flight instructor.
Most career pilots build hours toward the airlines by instructing. Add your CFI ($5,050) and CFII ($3,980) and the full path from zero experience is about $55,475.
- Private$15,775
- Instrument$11,690
- Commercial SEL$12,480
- Multi-engine$6,500
- CFI$5,050
- CFII$3,980
Discovery flight · KCHD
Take the controls. Not the back seat.
No commitment
A discovery flight is the perfect first step. Experience what it feels like to pilot an airplane firsthand with this no-commitment flight lesson. And yes, you will actually be the one flying.
- You fly the airplane, with me right beside you
- Departs Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD)
- Ask anything about cost, timelines, and which certificate fits your goals
- Great first step for future career pilots and hobbyists alike