Professional Pilot Track
Commercial and Airline Transport Pilot certifications mark the progression into professional flight operations. CHECKRIDE PREP helps you prepare for the CAX and ATP knowledge exams with real exam-style questions, unlimited practice exams, progress tracking, and personalized oral prep.
// A STRUCTURED WAY TO STUDY
Ladies & Gentleman, this is your captain speaking
01 · KNOWLEDGELearn with FAA questions covering all required commercial pilot core knowledge areas. Smart study prep allows you to track your performance, identify weak subjects and drill them before moving on to the practice exams.
EXPLANATIONS · SUBJECT ANALYTICS →
02 · PRACTICETake unlimited FAA practice exams. After scoring 80% or higher twice consecutively, submit your details for review and request the endorsement to take the official FAA knowledge test.
MOCK EXAMS · TEST ENDORSEMENT →
03 · CHECKRIDE PREPAfter passing the FAA knowledge test, upload your AKT report. CHECKRIDE PREP analyzes your deficiency codes to build personalized study prep focused on areas you need to strengthen for your checkride.
REPORT ANALYSIS · ORAL STUDY PREP →
// WHO BUILT THIS
CHECKRIDE PREP was written and reviewed by a team of aviation professionals, military personnel, and academics.
01
Pilots & Certified Ground Instructors
02
Aerospace & Software Engineers
03
A&P Mechanics & Military Aircrew
04
College Educators & Veterans
Stage 01 · Available nowCommercial Pilot · CAX
Under 14 CFR 61.133, a commercial pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire, and may be paid to fly. It is the qualification behind flight instruction, aerial survey, banner and glider tow, agricultural application, charter, and corporate operations.
Begin CAX preparation
Stage 02 · In developmentAirline Transport Pilot · ATP
The ATP certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate issued by the FAA and is required for pilots operating scheduled air carriers under 14 CFR Part 121. Eligibility is governed by 61.153 and 61.159, and the multi-engine knowledge test may only be taken after completing an ATP Certification Training Program under 61.156.
// CERTIFICATES COMPARED
Summarized from 14 CFR Part 61
Subparts F and G
Eligibility under 14 CFR 61.123 & 61.129
The aggregate hour requirement is the figure most applicants quote, but the specific experience within it is what delays checkrides. The following are the Part 61 minimums for the single-engine land class rating.
TOTAL FLIGHT TIME
250 hrs
100 hrs in powered aircraft · 100 hrs PIC, including 50 hrs in airplanes and 50 hrs cross-country
KNOWLEDGE EXAM · CAX
100 Q · 70%
150 minutes, computer-based, at an FAA-designated testing center
DUAL INSTRUCTION
20 hrs
including instrument, complex, turbine-powered or technically advanced airplane training
SOLO OR PIC DUTIES
10 hrs
including a 300 NM cross-country and night VFR experience at a towered airport
Other
categories
Multi-engine and helicopter applicants follow separate aeronautical experience requirements; Commercial Helicopter requires at least 150 hours under §61.129(c) and uses a separate knowledge test.
Private jets & airliner cockpit
Paid flying starts here.
*Eligibility, privileges, and limitations summarized from 14 CFR Part 61 Subparts F and G, the Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards, and FAA testing standards. Confirm with your instructor and current FAA guidance.
Related track
Complete it first. Without it the commercial certificate is issued with a limitation, and the instrument cross-country time counts toward commercial experience requirements.
Related track
Flight instruction is the most common route from 250 to 1,500 hours. The instructor track covers the FOI, flight instructor written, and ground instructor certificates.
