547 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 61.125 

such an aircraft that is carrying pas-
sengers or property for compensation 
or hire. 

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; 
Amdt. 61–103, 62 FR 40904, July 30, 1997] 

§§ 61.118–61.120

[Reserved] 

Subpart F—Commercial Pilots 

§ 61.121

Applicability. 

This subpart prescribes the require-

ments for the issuance of commercial 
pilot certificates and ratings, the con-
ditions under which those certificates 
and ratings are necessary, and the gen-
eral operating rules for persons who 
hold those certificates and ratings. 

§ 61.123

Eligibility requirements: Gen-

eral. 

To be eligible for a commercial pilot 

certificate, a person must: 

(a) Be at least 18 years of age; 
(b) Be able to read, speak, write, and 

understand the English language. If the 
applicant is unable to meet one of 
these requirements due to medical rea-
sons, then the Administrator may 
place such operating limitations on 
that applicant’s pilot certificate as are 
necessary for the safe operation of the 
aircraft. 

(c) Receive a logbook endorsement 

from an authorized instructor who: 

(1) Conducted the required ground 

training or reviewed the person’s home 
study on the aeronautical knowledge 
areas listed in § 61.125 of this part that 
apply to the aircraft category and class 
rating sought; and 

(2) Certified that the person is pre-

pared for the required knowledge test 
that applies to the aircraft category 
and class rating sought. 

(d) Pass the required knowledge test 

on the aeronautical knowledge areas 
listed in § 61.125 of this part; 

(e) Receive the required training and 

a logbook endorsement from an author-
ized instructor who: 

(1) Conducted the training on the 

areas of operation listed in § 61.127(b) of 
this part that apply to the aircraft cat-
egory and class rating sought; and 

(2) Certified that the person is pre-

pared for the required practical test. 

(f) Meet the aeronautical experience 

requirements of this subpart that apply 

to the aircraft category and class rat-
ing sought before applying for the prac-
tical test; 

(g) Pass the required practical test 

on the areas of operation listed in 
§ 61.127(b) of this part that apply to the 
aircraft category and class rating 
sought; 

(h) Hold at least a private pilot cer-

tificate issued under this part or meet 
the requirements of § 61.73; and 

(i) Comply with the sections of this 

part that apply to the aircraft category 
and class rating sought. 

§ 61.125

Aeronautical knowledge. 

(a) 

General.  A person who applies for 

a commercial pilot certificate must re-
ceive and log ground training from an 
authorized instructor, or complete a 
home-study course, on the aeronautical 
knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of 
this section that apply to the aircraft 
category and class rating sought. 

(b) 

Aeronautical knowledge areas. (1) 

Applicable Federal Aviation Regula-
tions of this chapter that relate to 
commercial pilot privileges, limita-
tions, and flight operations; 

(2) Accident reporting requirements 

of the National Transportation Safety 
Board; 

(3) Basic aerodynamics and the prin-

ciples of flight; 

(4) Meteorology to include recogni-

tion of critical weather situations, 
windshear recognition and avoidance, 
and the use of aeronautical weather re-
ports and forecasts; 

(5) Safe and efficient operation of air-

craft; 

(6) Weight and balance computations; 
(7) Use of performance charts; 
(8) Significance and effects of exceed-

ing aircraft performance limitations; 

(9) Use of aeronautical charts and a 

magnetic compass for pilotage and 
dead reckoning; 

(10) Use of air navigation facilities; 
(11) Aeronautical decision making 

and judgment; 

(12) Principles and functions of air-

craft systems; 

(13) Maneuvers, procedures, and 

emergency operations appropriate to 
the aircraft; 

(14) Night and high-altitude oper-

ations; 

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