Commercial Pilot License in Minneapolis

A commercial pilot license is the step that turns flying from a passion into a profession. It allows you to be paid to fly within FAA regulations, and it is the gateway to charter work, aerial photography, flight instruction, and ultimately the airlines. Inflight Pilot Training runs commercial training out of Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) in Eden Prairie, serving pilots from Minneapolis, St. Paul and the entire metro area.

Requirements for a Commercial Pilot License

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a private pilot certificate
• Log 250 hours of total flight time
• Complete 20 hours of instruction flight time, including 10 hours in a complex or technically advanced aircraft (TAA)

The Path to Your Commercial Certificate

1. Attend ground school or self-study for the written exam
2. Build the required complex/TAA flight time (10 hours)
3. Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot written exam
4. Pass the commercial checkride

Commercial training is a comprehensive review of what you learned as a private pilot, flown to tighter standards with a handful of new maneuvers. It is some of the most enjoyable flying in all of training, and it is usually one of the fastest programs to complete.

Cost and Timeline in Minneapolis

Our Commercial Pilot program is $9,650, and most pilots finish in 6 to 8 weeks. Pricing reflects training to proficiency in our fleet, including the technically advanced aircraft time the FAA requires. See the full breakdown on our courses page, and ask about financing options.

Building Toward the Airlines?

If your goal is a professional flying career, our Pro Pilot Program takes you through every certificate and rating in sequence, from private pilot through instrument, commercial, and flight instructor, with a structured path to building the hours airlines require. Many of our commercial students continue on as flight instructors with us, earning hours while they teach.

Why Inflight

Training at Flying Cloud means real towered-airport operations, busy-airspace experience minutes from Minneapolis, a modern fleet including Cirrus aircraft and a professional simulator, and instructors who fly for a living. That environment produces commercial pilots who are ready for the real work, not just the checkride.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does commercial pilot training take?

Most pilots finish in 6 to 8 weeks. Because the commercial builds on skills you already have, it moves quickly once your hour requirements are met.

What can I do with a commercial pilot license?

You become eligible to fly for compensation or hire: charter and cargo flying, aerial survey and photography, pipeline patrol, and more. Paired with a flight instructor certificate, it is also how most pilots build time toward airline minimums.

I do not have 250 hours yet. Where do I start?

Talk to us anyway. We will help you plan cost-effective time building, often combined with your instrument rating, so every hour counts toward your commercial.