Commercial Pilot Certificate

Make Flying Your Career

The Commercial Pilot Certificate is the rating you’ll be working toward if you want to fly helicopters as a career. It marks the transition from flying for personal goals to operating as a professional pilot, opening the door to paid flying opportunities.

At SRT Helicopters our commercial training is designed to give you more than just the FAA minimums. You’ll experience diverse flight environments — weather, terrain, and airport operations — while learning from instructors with extensive real-world backgrounds. Training can be tailored to provide experience in advanced operations such as hoist missions, aerial photography, utility support, and emergency medical services.

FAA Minimum Flight Time Requirements

To earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate, the FAA requires a minimum of 150 hours of total flight time, including:

100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 must be in helicopters
100 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC), including at least 35 in helicopters and 10 cross-country
20 hours of dual instruction including:
- 10 hours of instrument training
- 2 hours of cross-country day VFR dual flight
- 2 hours of cross-country night VFR dual flight
10 hours of solo flight including:
- One cross-country flight over 50 NM
- 5 hours of night VFR, including 10 takeoffs and landings
- 3 hours of preparation with an instructor for the practical exam

The checkride consists of both an oral exam and a flight evaluation.

What You’ll Learn

Commercial training goes far beyond basic maneuvers. You’ll master advanced skills such as:

Precision approaches and departures

Confined area operations

Emergency procedures under more demanding conditions

Cross-country navigation and planning

Night flight and complex airspace operations

The SRT Advantage

Our program emphasizes scenario-based training that prepares you for the real-world challenges of commercial flying. You’ll graduate not only with a certificate but with the confidence, adaptability, and professional mindset that employers demand.