For those interested in pursuing a Commercial Pilot License, I have put together a list of topics that are generally not taught as part of your flying lessons. Keep in mind, the Commercial flying is all about maneuvers. Much like the Private Pilot tasks and maneuvers, “it’s all outside the airplane”. There are some new maneuvers and landings at the Commercial level, but those that are common with the Private Pilot license have tighter altitude/airspeed PTS limits.

For example, knowing the difference between anti-icing and de-icing equipment; a more in-depth knowledge of aerodynamics (camber, chord, center of lift, center of pressure, etc.), and a whole new slew of regulations regarding privileges and limitations are all required when preparing for the Commercial rating.

As my DPE told me after I passed my Commercial check ride years ago; “congratulations; now they’re going to try to pin anything that goes wrong on you.”  What he meant was that as a Student or Private Pilot, you could always act dumb about busting Class Bravo or doing something stupid in an airplane and you might get a mere slap on the wrist. As a Commercial pilot, you should have known better. Jerry Seinfeld quipped, “Who wants more responsibility? The first time something goes wrong, they always ask ‘who’s responsible here’?”  Welcome to the Commercial world.

So, start with the Private Pilot list of non-taught items I offered last month. Once you know that stuff inside and out, make sure you also are prepared with a deep understanding of these items for the Commercial knowledge test and check ride.

Basic Aerodynamics - Principles of flight, aeronautical decision making and judgment

Airplane Engines & Systems - Principles and functions of aircraft systems, emergency operations appropriate to the aircraft, night and high-altitude operations

Performance - Weight and balance computations, use of performance charts, significance and effects of exceeding aircraft performance limitations

Airspace - Procedures for operating within the National Airspace System

Weather - Meteorology to include recognition of critical weather situations, wind shear recognition and avoidance, and the use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts

FAR’s - Commercial pilot privileges, limitations and flight operations, NTSB reporting requirements

Navigation - Use of aeronautical charts and a magnetic compass for pilotage and dead reckoning

Radio Navigation - Use of air navigation facilities

Chapter 1 - Air Navigation

Section 1 - VOR, VOR Receiver Check, VORTAC, DME, NAVAID Service Volumes, GPS

Chapter 2 - Lighting & Airport Visual Aids

Section 1 - Runway lighting, Pilot Control of Airport Lighting, Beacons, Taxiway lighting

Section 3 - Runway, Taxiway markings, Airport Signs (Mandatory, Location, Direction, Destination, Information)

Chapter 3 - Airspace

Section 1 - VFR Weather Minimums, VFR Cruising Altitudes

Section 2 - All Classes of Airspace

Section 3 - Class G Airspace

Section 4 - Prohibited, Restricted, Warning, MOA, Alert, Controlled Firing Areas

Section 5 - Military Training Routes, TFR’s, TRSA’s, VFR Routes

Chapter 4 - Air Traffic Control

Section 1- ARTCC, Control Towers, FSS, Ops at Non-Towered Airports, ATIS, Radar Assistance, Transponder Operation

Section 3 - Airports, Traffic Patterns, Wind Shear Systems, Intersection Takeoffs, LAHSO, Light Signals, VFR in Terminal Areas, Taxiing, Aircraft Lights, Hand Signals

Section 4 - Special VFR, Adherence to Clearance, Speed Adjustments, Runway Separation, Visual Separation, Clearing Procedures, TCAS, TIS, ADS-B

Section 6 - RVSM, Turbulence, Mountain Wave, Wake Turbulence, Pilot/Controller Phraseology

Chapter 5 - Air Traffic Procedures

Section 1 - Preflight, NOTAMs, Flight Plans, Closing VFR/DVFR Flight Plans

Section 3 - Position Reporting, Airways and Routes

Section 5 - Air Traffic Clearance, See and Avoid, Speed Adjustments, Traffic Advisories, Visual Separation, Minimum Fuel Advisory

Section 6 - Interception Procedures and Signals, ADIZ Boundaries

Chapter 6 - Emergency Procedures

Section 1 - Pilot Responsibility & Authority

Section 2 - Radar Service, Transponder Operation, Intercept & Escort, ELT, Search & Rescue

Section 3 - Distress/Urgency Communications, Ditching, Air Piracy

Section 4 - Two-Way Radio Failure, Transponder Operation

Chapter 7 - Safety of Flight

Section 1 - Meteorology (all topics)

Section 2 - Altimeter Setting Procedures (all topics)

Section 3 - Wake Turbulence (all topics)

Section 4 - Bird Strike Risks, Reporting, Advisories, Flights Over Wildlife Areas

Section 5 - Potential Flight Hazards (all topics)

Section 6 - Aviation Safety Reporting, Accident/Incident/Near Midair Collision Reporting

Chapter 8 - Medical Facts for Pilots

Section 1 - Fitness for Flight (all topics)

Chapter 9 - Charts & Publications

Section 1 - All topics

PTS Check Ride Prep

There are portions of many tasks throughout the Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards that are not directly related to flying the airplane. As such, they will not be covered in great detail during your actual flying lessons (most are covered in Ground School). For details on the standards for each of these items, refer to the CPL PTS:

1. •Certificates and Documents
   

2. •Airworthiness Requirements
   

3. •Weather Information
   

4. •Cross-Country Flight Planning
   

5. •National Airspace System
   

6. •Performance and Limitations
   

7. •Operation of Systems
   

8. •Aeromedical Factors
   

9. •Preflight Inspection
   

10. •Cockpit Management
    

11. •Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
    

12. •Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
    

13. •Supplemental Oxygen
    

14. •Pressurization
    

And finally, here is a table that compares the limits/tolerance for various maneuvers at the Private and Commercial Pilot levels (click to enlarge):

© 2013 Garry Wing