Expert: Mike Burbridge - 2/16/2009

Question
how many hours do I have to have to get my commercial license. Then once I have my commercial license am I able to be paid & fly passengers.


Answer
Hi Lorie,

In order to get your Commercial Pilots License, you need to log at least 250 hours.

There are minimum requirements included in those 250 hours which can be found here:

http://www.gg-pilot.com/commercialpilot.htm

As for the second part of your question:

The simple answer is yes.

However, you are able to be paid to fly passengers only by being hired as a pilot. You couldn't just get an airplane and charge people to fly them. (This is a common question)

Also, you would initially be limited as to what airplane, under what conditions, and the number of passengers you could fly.

There are certain other certifications and ratings which you would accrue as you become more experienced.

For instance, you would likely want to get a multi-engine rating.
Then, perhaps a high-altitude rating, a turbine/jet rating, and ratings which are required for certain aircraft over 12,500 lbs.

Then, ultimately you would want an ATP or Airline Transport Pilot license which is required to be a captain of a major airline.

Some of these ratings and certifications can be accomplished while working as a flight instructor, or while employed at a smaller air carrier, as a first officer.

Here's the FAA's website which lists all of the ratings and certifications available, and how to get started:
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/

Good Luck, and if you have more questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

Mike B.